Shepherd Our Hearts

It strikes me in the middle of the night, sits me straight up in bed, stark awake.

Anxiety doesn’t get the not-so-subtle hint it’s not welcome here. But my subconscious knows something’s up. I’m heading out of town for work and away from my familiar surroundings — my home and husband. How will I manage alone, left with my constant thoughts and suffocating fears?

Three times during the daylight hours earlier, Psalm 23 was brought to my attention. And now as I sit here, shifting under the sheets, I recall the lines, close my eyes and go with the Shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

Beside those quiet waters, can I truly find my Comforter, the One who can quiet those overflowing waters in me?

Can He be trusted to be tried and true in the swirling streams I fall into? Will He pull me out and place me softly on green pastures?

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:1-2a)

The Lord is my Shepherd. In my weakness, He is strong. He is my protector. He is my peace.

He leaves the flock of 99 to come for the one lost sheep. (Matthew 18:12-14) Deliberately, He seeks us out.

He comes for us.

He restores our souls.

As always, I’m incredibly thankful and honored to have a devotion over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today. Won’t you join me there and discover how the Lord is our Good Shepherd in the middle of the mayhem, mundane, and miraculous?