Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You set a table for me in the presence of my foes. You drench my head with oil. My cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are our great shepherd who gives us all that we need each day. So often, we mistake our wants for needs, but you provide for us in abundance. Our lives are so often class five rapids, where we are getting thrown about because of our sinful nature’s desires and chasing after things of the world we think we need. But when we listen to you, you will lead us by quiet waters where we can drink from the living water you provide. You restored our souls from the paths we keep wanting to head down that seem appealing but, in the end, lead to destruction. Every day, we wake up having to face another day in this valley of the shadow of death. As we walk on this earth, every one of us will someday see their end—unless you come first. Through your word, you correct us when we err, pointing out our sins so that we can turn to you. Then you comfort us, telling us we are forgiven because you already paid the price for those sins. Through the Means of Grace, you provide us with a heavenly banquet of your body and blood, which gives us the assurance our sins are forgiven. In our baptisms, you anointed us, and we are now heirs of eternal life. The forgiveness of sins is ours. Our cup overflows with your abundant grace. In the end, you have promised us, we will live with you in heaven forever. Amen.
Vicar Roger Emmons
With Jesus as our shepherd, what do we have to fear? He has taken care of our every need, including our restoration from sin, our salvation.