The Good Shepherd: Devotions Inspired by Psalm 23预览

He Is Our Provider 

By Monica Bates 

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Ephesians 3:20 (TPT) 

I have a cousin whose nickname is “Cookie.” When I was 12 and she was 14, we became very close. Throughout my teenage years, I’d often travel from Columbia, Maryland, to Washington, DC, to spend the weekend with her. We went shopping, attended events, saw plays, toured museums—we explored the city together. 

My days with Cookie were always packed with fun and laughter. We shared all our thoughts, our feelings, our dreams, and our plans with each other. Our fun-filled days led to hangout time in the evenings. No matter how late it was, we would always break out the vanilla ice cream and whatever pie or sweet specialty my aunt had on the counter for us. We’d share stories from our day, laughing about all our escapades. Cookie and I have shared an extremely close bond with each other for many years and still do to this day. She has always been like a sister to me and is one of my best friends. 

When I think about God being my best friend, it gives me such comfort knowing that I can be completely open and vulnerable with Him about anything in my life, just like I was with Cookie. God will laugh with me and cry with me. I can share the good times and the not-so-good times with Him. I know He loves me and is rooting for me. I can count on Him to always answer my call, no matter how late, and stay up with me while I eat ice cream and reminisce about my day. 

Cookie and I became pregnant and gave birth to our daughters in the same year. She had twin girls in January, and I welcomed my second daughter in November. Very soon after thinking of something I needed, I would receive a box from Cookie with the exact item that had been on my mind. As Cookie’s girls would outgrow their outfits, she would pack them up and send them to me. During that special season of my second daughter’s life, I never wanted or needed anything. And the cool thing is I always had doubles of everything! 

God provided for me and my family through my cousin, time and time again. His provision for us has often left me speechless, and I continue to be grateful for it. 

Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I especially love this Scripture in The Passion Translation, which says: “Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.” This translation speaks so loudly to my heart. How does it speak to you? 

God is our provider, and He loves us very much. His plan of provision for us is so much more than we could ever ask, think, or imagine. And it all starts with having an intimate relationship with Him and taking time to read and apply His Word in our lives. Seeing our relationship with God reflected in the pages of the passages sets us up for true connection, true love, true hope, and true peace. 

PRAYER 

God, thank You for being my best friend. Thank You for always being by my side. Thank You for being my provider and knowing what I need before I need it. Would You help me posture my heart toward You so I can receive all the love, care, and provision You have for me today? In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION    

• Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to show you how He can be your best friend in this season and beyond.    
• Take a moment to reflect on the times the Lord has provided for you. Can you think of a time He provided for you when you least expected it? A heart of gratitude can change everything.    
• Challenge yourself to meditate on Ephesians 3:20 in the mornings and write down what the Lord is showing and speaking to you about your life.

Holy Spirit, what are You saying to me today?

MEMORY VERSE

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1