A sheep's song

Psalm 23:1-6 (New International Version)

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

What is the most comforting phrase to you in this psalm?

When we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have the contentment. When we choose to sin, however, we are choosing to go our own way, and we cannot blame God for the environment in which we find ourselves. Our shepherd knows the "green meadows" and "peaceful streams" that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against the shepherd's leading is actually rebelling against our own interests for the future. We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than the shepherd's way.