Shepherd of Her Soul: A 7-Day Plan From Psalm 23નમૂનો

Your Shepherd Cares for You

The women sit in a circle around the table. Some are young moms who have just dropped their children off in the nursery. Others are retired grandmas who have transitioned to a new season. Every age and stage of life is represented.

Together, we’re getting ready to begin a weekly study. Before we start, the leader says, “Let’s go around the group and everyone share how they’re feeling this morning in one word.” The universal answer: tired.

That happened years ago, and yet I still often think of the answer those women gave that morning. I remember it when I get together with a group of friends and we talk about our busy schedules. I recall it when I look at social media updates. I ponder it when I watch TV and see the hectic pace our world asks us to keep.

Women are tired. And when life brings challenges, the little bit of margin we may have is quickly taken up. We find ourselves weary and then wonder why it’s so hard to enjoy our lives. In other words, we’re sheep in need of a shepherd.

The good news of Psalm 23 is that you have a loving Shepherd. He doesn’t want to drive you so hard that you fall down from exhaustion. He doesn’t want to force you to go through life without nourishment and refreshment. Your Shepherd has promised that you will lack nothing.

Our Shepherd knows this about sheep: they’re prone to becoming exhausted. If that’s where your heart is today, it’s okay to ask the Shepherd to carry you. Tell him your heart is hungry and thirsty. Tell him you need to lie down (maybe even take a nap). Tell him your soul needs to be restored.

Shepherds understand sheep. Yours already knows where you are and what you’ve been through, and it brings him joy to care for you.

Good Shepherd, thank you for watching over me and caring for all my needs. I want to follow you and love you more each day. Amen.

How do you need God to care for you today?