God is so good. God’s Word is so good. Any time I open it, I am in awe of God’s loving kindness. I am not surprised God is taking care of me. That’s his promise for all of us. I am now days expecting it and looking forward to it. But I am always surprised how he does it. How simply, how effortlessly, how gently he does it. How easily he refreshes me. I am always blown away, always in awe of his mastery. Like this evening. One of the most beloved chapters in the Old Testament just wrapped me in God’s tender loving care.

The Lord is my Shepherd
[to feed, guide, and shield me],
I shall not lack.
(Psalm 23:1, AMP, emphasis added)

What else do I need than Someone to feed, guide, and shield me. That’s everything I truly need. And that’s what Shepherd does: takes care of his flock. And the flock can be joyfully dependent on him. We will not lack.

We can rest in God’s grace. We shall be supplied with anything and everything we need. We might not have everything we desire but that’s a blessing because we do not know what’s best for us. Or God might make us wait for the optimal time and that’s a blessing too. Only God knows what’s best and when something is best for us. We can just rest in him. He will feed, guide, and shield us.

He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life (my self);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
[uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:2-3, AMP, emphasis added)

God will take care of our daily bread (green pastures). The streams of the Living water will make us glad. And he will restore and refresh us according to our needs. And not just our lives but our very beings. God has created us unique and he will care for us according to our unique needs. How precious is that! We are safe in God’s hands. Not just physically and spiritually but emotionally as well.

And all this care does not happen because we’d be so worthy. It happens because of him, for his name’s sake. It happens by grace. And this grace makes us right with God. This grace makes us holy. This grace makes us blessed day by day.

We will not lack. Ever.

 

Gracious God,
Your tender loving care
goes far beyond our needs.
Thank you so much
for feeding, guiding, and shielding us
according to our unique needs.
Thank you so much
that we are wholly safe in your hands.
Be praised for ever and ever, Lord.
You are always more than we can understand.
Thank you for making us yours.
Thank you for your amazing grace towards us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you familiar with God’s tender loving care? How have you lately experienced it in your life?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you rest in God’s arms!

Image courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke.  Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.