The LORD is my shepherd Ps 23:1

David probably wrote Psalm 23; shortly after he was anointed to be king while he still kept his father’s flocks in Bethlehem. Psalm 23 portrays God as a shepherd, feeding (verse 1) and leading (verse 3) his flock. The “rod and staff” (verse 4) are also the implements of a shepherd. Let us study the greatest confidence David has about his future in the Lord through this Psalm

Provider: I shall not want Ps 23:1b David knew Lord is the provider for future, that why he confessed Lord always makes way, leads, refreshes and guides.

Protector: I will fear no evil Ps 23:4 David knew in the toughest time Lord was the protector, that’s why he said Lord is with me and comforts me.

Peace: Surely your goodness and love will follow me Ps 23:6a David knew the truth that Lord’s children will not chase the peace but they will have peace that passes all understanding.

Presence: I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Ps 23:6b greatest assurance that a child of God has, we will always be in His presence and we will spend our eternity with Christ

Prayer: Lord, all I need is you, you alone are my protector. I need your presence always and fill me with your peace Lord. Amen.

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Gen 8:22

God promised Noah about the pattern of the earth. When did Noah receive this promise? We know Noah was in the ark and was protected from the flood.

Remembers: When the rain stopped Lord remembered Noah and for the waters to recede Lord sent a wind. We might be surrounded by waters; just trust the Lord remembers to deliver us. “But God remembered Noah .. he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. “ Gen 8:1

Guides & Blesses: Lord made dry land and asked Noah to come out and blessed them to be fruitful, our Lord will lead us to a place where he prospers us. “ Then God said to Noah,  “Come out of the ark, … they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.” Gen 8:15-17

Accepts Worship: First thing, Noah did when he came out of ark was to worship God, it pleased God. “ Then Noah built an altar to the Lord .. sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma” Gen 8:20,21. Then Lord promised never to destroy earth with flood and also promised a pattern we read above.

Prayer: Father Lord, I thank you for keeping me safe from the flood, lead me to your dry land and anoint me to worship you. Amen.

the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord Phil 3:8

Context: Paul wrote an epistle to church in Philippians, and he wrote to them how he sees purpose of life as;
Paul said “whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection.”

Lessons:
What do we consider as real gain? Is it a new house, new car, new job etc then we are missing out on the best. The best thing is to know Christ; it has to daily know him more.

How can we be righteous? Will our good works bring right standing with God, no righteousness comes through faith in Jesus and good works is the result of God imputing righteousness into us.

What do we really want to know? Is it to know the power of resurrection and to know Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father Lord, give me the right perspective and right priority. Change me Lord to have the right attitude. Amen.

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert Ps 106:9

Story: Psalmist in 106 described how the Lord brought the Israelities out of Slavery and made them cross the Red Sea. Psalmist quoeted thus “When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. He saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. Then they believed his promises and sang his praise”

Lesson: Lord saved His people for His name sake. How much do we honor and trust in the name of our Lord. When they faced a big obstruction of Red Sea, deliverance came just because the Lord rebuked the sea. Though whole nation did not believe there was one man who lifted his hands, and in response to that Lord rebuked. Can we out of humility and trust lift our hands and surely the Lord will act. It does not matter what stands infront of us, it only matters who we are trusting.It does not matter where we are , it matter s who is with us.

Prayer: Father Lord, in front of this red sea, my hope is just in you Lord. I know for your name sake and when you speak the rea sea will dry up. In Jesus name. Amen.

Jesus said “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe” John 17:12

We are so scared of our future, our job, our needs etc. Here Jesus is telling God the Father, I have kept them safe. Our loving Father wanted Jesus to keep His children safe. Today also He has appointed His angels to protect, Jesus to intercede for us and the Holy Spirit to lead, what a loving Father, still we are fearful.

Lord said “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” Isa 65:24. Even before a word was on our mouth Lord knew it. We see while Eliezer was praying for a bride for Issac, Rachel came to draw water. It looks like Lord had already prepared the answer beforehand. Yes, Angel told Daniel “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.” Daniel 10:12 and the word says “At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued” Daniel 9:23. Our Father already has prepared the answer.

Prayer: Lord, sorry for limiting you many times by looking at my problems and getting worried. Lord I praise you for you are; a prayer answering God. Amen.