JULY 26 - THE LORD; DAVID’S SHEPHERD
READ Psalm 23
The Lord is pictured as David´s shepherd, leading him in righteousness.
INSIGHT
Perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of sheep is that they cannot take care of themselves. The demands of life exceed their intelligence and their abilities. They must have a shepherd. People are the same. While there is a vast and gratifying difference
between people and sheep, the demands of life for humans exceed our intelligence and abilities. We also need a shepherd, the Lord. He is the Great Shepherd. He will lead us. The question is: Will we follow?
PRAYER
Thank the Lord that He hears and answers our prayers, and praise Him that His answers are good:
I exalt you, my God the King,
And bless your name forever and ever.
I will bless you every day;
I will praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is great and is highly praised;
His greatness is unsearchable
I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty
And your wondrous works (Psalm 145:1-3, 5).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
My little children, I am writing you these things
So that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin,
We have an advocate with the Father —
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He himself is the atoning sacrifice, for our sins,
And not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world
(1 John 2:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For God loved the world in this way:
He gave his one and only Son,
So that everyone who believes in him
Will not perish but have eternal life
(John 3:16).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
I heard every creature in heaven, on earth,
Under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say,
Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to the one seated on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever! (Revelation 5:13).
The Lord is pictured as David´s shepherd, leading him in righteousness.
INSIGHT
Perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of sheep is that they cannot take care of themselves. The demands of life exceed their intelligence and their abilities. They must have a shepherd. People are the same. While there is a vast and gratifying difference
between people and sheep, the demands of life for humans exceed our intelligence and abilities. We also need a shepherd, the Lord. He is the Great Shepherd. He will lead us. The question is: Will we follow?
PRAYER
Thank the Lord that He hears and answers our prayers, and praise Him that His answers are good:
I exalt you, my God the King,
And bless your name forever and ever.
I will bless you every day;
I will praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is great and is highly praised;
His greatness is unsearchable
I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty
And your wondrous works (Psalm 145:1-3, 5).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
My little children, I am writing you these things
So that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin,
We have an advocate with the Father —
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He himself is the atoning sacrifice, for our sins,
And not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world
(1 John 2:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For God loved the world in this way:
He gave his one and only Son,
So that everyone who believes in him
Will not perish but have eternal life
(John 3:16).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Greater personal discipline
- Your activities for the day
- Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
I heard every creature in heaven, on earth,
Under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say,
Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to the one seated on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever! (Revelation 5:13).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2023.