Psalm 23:1  ‘The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want, He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He restores my soul..’

• DAILY READING –    Acts 2:14-47; Deuteronomy 15-16; Job 11

Shepherds are mentioned several times in the Bible. Great men such as Abraham, Moses, and King David were shepherds during their time. The sheep depended on the shepherd for provision and protection. In spring, each day a shepherd will take his flock outside to graze on fresh, succulent pastures. When summer heat sets in, shepherds move their flocks to cooler pastures on higher grounds. And for many days the shepherd would work and sleep outdoors, allowing the flock to graze on the green hills. During the night, he will be awake guarding the sheepfolds. At times, the shepherd might shelter his flock overnight in a cave, where they would be protected from wild animals such as lions, jackals and hyenas. If the howl of a wild animal panicked the flock of sheep in the dark of night, the shepherd’s calm, reassuring voice would still them. Each evening, the shepherd counted the sheep and checked the health of the animals. In the morning, he would call, and the flock would follow him to the pasture ground. Then at midday, shepherds led the animals to cool pools of water to drink. When the pools dry up, the shepherd guides them to a well and draws water for them. When the cold rains began, he would lead them back home to winter, indoors so that the animals do not perish outside in the lashing rains, hailstorms, and snow. The sheep is totally dependent on the shepherd for survival.

So, when the psalmist says ‘the Lord is my shepherd,’ we understand how crucially dependent we are upon God for our provision and protection. The shepherd knows where the green pasture is. A sheep that departs from its shepherd will not last long. It will either be killed by hunger or by wild beasts.

Jesus, our Great Shepherd takes responsibility for our wellbeing, but we must follow while He leads. This is why before we venture into anything, we first seek counsel from God and ensure He is the one leading us into it. When we let God be the one leading us and guiding us, then He also takes the responsibility for our provision.

Understand that God has a purpose He wants to accomplish on earth. He is not just going to take care of you for you to do things contrary to His work. He will take care of you when you are walking and working in accordance with His divine purpose and plan. God’s will is His bill. God will only pay for what He orders for. So, to enjoy divine provision, follow the voice of the Shepherd. Follow the vision God has for your life. The problem is that many people are doing their own things and expecting God to still take care of them. Many times, God out of mercy still takes care of them, but to enjoy true divine provision, we need to align with God’s vision and guidance.

Especially as the new year fast approaches we must make up our mind to achieve a closer walk with God. As His sheep we must  begin to clearly hear His voice. We need to pay the required price in fellowship with the Spirit so as to begin to hear the voice of our shepherd. It is through hearing His voice and being led by the Spirit that we can escape the traps of the enemy and come to the green pastures God has ordained for us in this season.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to submit to Your guidance; help me to hear Your voice clearly and be sensitive to Your spirit so that I can follow Your will into the  great destiny You have for me in Jesus Name.

Quote :

God’s will is God’s bill; God always makes provision for His vision