I’ve heard Psalm 23 read several times at funerals that I’ve attended. However, this morning the first verse struck a cord within my heart. “I shall not be in want,” jumped off the pages at me as if God was trying to get my attention. Will I trust the Lord to fully provide for my needs or will wants inside my sinful nature force me to take back control of my life?
The prophet Isaiah makes another comparison with sheep, claiming each person have moments in life when they reject their shepherd, turning toward their own way, Isaiah 53:6. While the great shepherd is patient, stubbornness has driven many far from green pastures. Instead of relying on shepherd’s crook to get back on track, selfish steers countless toward a path of destruction, Matthew 7:13
Nonetheless, the words of Jesus in Luke 15:11-16 are much closer to reality than the average person wants to admit. If only I could came to my senses, then I would hand over the keys to my lord. Yet, a long Christmas list of wants has brought me to a spiritual pig pen, stuck in the mud of empty promises of this world. May the rod of the great shepherd knock some sense into you before another innocent victim enters the grave. I pray that the valley of the shadow of death will prompt you to trust Jesus, yielding your wants on earth for a greater cause, Luke 15:7.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 