
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – The Lord Is My Shepherd – Psalm 23:1-3 – Growing As Disciples
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3
Sheep
Do you like it here? Yes, I do. What do you like about it? It’s so quiet and still. There is only the sound of a quiet stream. I can relax here. I don’t have anything or anyone demanding my time and attention. I feel like I can breathe. Yes, take some slow, deep breaths. Rest, here in my presence.
Take this all in. The air is so crisp and fresh. With each breath, I feel like I’m being revived and restored. I have been so busy. The pace of my life has been frantic. I had no idea how worn out I was until you brought me to this place. Right now I can feel the tension leaving my body as I lay back in this green pasture, resting. Yes, very good, let go of all the worries and burdens you have been carrying. Lay them down here at my feet. That’s ok, I can do that? Yes, absolutely. That’s why I brought you here. You have been troubled by many things. It’s time for you to give them to me. Really? Yes, really. Ok, I will. I feel so much lighter now. It’s like you have lifted a burden off my shoulders. I didn’t realize I was carrying so much. Now you do, though? Yes, it feels so good.
Thank you for letting me set them down for a while. Oh, you don’t get to pick them up again. Why not? If I don’t carry all these burdens, who will? I will. That’s why you have laid them at my feet. You were never meant to carry this load. How do you feel about that? I feel so relieved and thankful I could cry. You are so good to me. You take such loving care of me. I am your Good Shepherd, you know. You were one bruised and battered sheep when I brought you back to this place.
Sorry, that I got so off the path and wandered away from you. It brings me great joy that you have returned to me too. What else have you noticed about this place? When I first arrived I was so thirsty I could hardly stand it. How about now? All your words have been feeding my hunger and satisfying my thirst. I feel like I have been drinking deeply from the cool mountain stream over there. That’s a good analogy. My word will refresh your life when you slow down to drink deeply from it. How do you feel right now? I feel like a new person. Do you mean new sheep? Not really, but I understand what you mean. What’s that? I know now how I have wandered away like a lost sheep and like my Good Shepherd you have brought me back to this place of quietness and rest with you. What else have you learned? I’ve learned that I can come and rest in your presence at any time and in any place. How often would you like to do that? I’d be a foolish sheep to not want to be with you every day. Very good, I’m glad to hear you say that.
Lord, forgive me for wandering away from you like a foolish sheep. Thank you for bringing me back to you to a place of quiet rest in your presence where I can drink deeply and be refreshed, revived and restored in my soul by you. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Identity – Psalm 23-1-3 – The Lord Is My Shepherd – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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