My friends, I awakened this morning thinking about that little girl who spent many days staring up in the sky those many years ago. As that little girl, I was in awe of the vastness of the heavenlies (not a term I used then). I did not know the Lord nor did I know about the concept of salvation, but I knew, without a doubt, that the wonder that I beheld was not something that just happened in a moment of time. It was not the result of some Big Bang theory. I knew in my heart of hearts that this was a masterpiece of creation! What single moment could have abruptly crafted the clear azure blue skies and the pristine white clouds dispersed throughout it? Then, I thought about myself as a member of mankind—what part do I and other human beings play in this creative plan. Even as a little girl, I longed to know more.
After becoming a Christian, I have often thought about David, the shepherd boy. While protecting his father’s sheep, he must have lain out in the field night after night, amazed by the beauty of the dark sky, sprinkled with stars and lit by the moon. David shepherded his sheep by shielding them from the elements and from dangerous animals. I wondered: “Is this where he met His Lord and Shepherd?” Just as he loved and protected his sheep, is this where he found the love and divine protection of his Shepherd? As the seed for Psalm 23 germinated in his heart, “Is this where David began to yearn for something more?”
As I reminisced about my Shepherd, Jesus, I can feel His divine love and protection. I know that He is with me and there is such a peace that begins to flood my soul. There is a calm reassurance. I feel the leading of Holy Spirit, sent by my Shepherd. That same Holy Spirit is my Comforter, my Director, my Instructor and He is leading my path to righteousness. I then see myself, in my mind’s eye, resting by still waters and lying down in the green pastures David writes about in Psalm 23.
I feel secure, that my Shepherd’s rod (his omniscient authority) hovers over and surrounds me, while his staff, a symbol of Holy Spirit, is there to guide and protect me through the darkest valley. And, as His anointed, I can rest in the assurance that His goodness and mercy is following me and will continue to follow me “all the days of my life.”
The more I know Him, the more I want to know Him, So, I yearn for more each day, my friends.
I yearn to worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness. (Psalm 96:9) I yearn to know Him in Spirit and in Truth. (John 14:7) I yearn to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)
What about you, my friend, are you longing for that presence that we can receive nowhere else—the presence of the Almighty, Living God—our Savior!
Be Blessed, my friends.
Scripture References:
Psalm 63:1-3 O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirst for You; my flesh faints for Your presence. In a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
Psalm 143:6 I stretch out my hands to You; my soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah
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