Devotionals
My pastor started a series on Psalm 23 last week.
“Oh, great,” I thought, “Been there, done that, heard the message, send me a memo!” (Don’t tell me you’ve never thought that before!!)
My mind started wandering to the grocery list I knew I had to make, and I actually thought about making it, but that would have been too rude…. So, I started thinking about the tickets that I had gotten on the way to church (gifts by the way because he gave me two non-point tickets instead of one fat 4-point ticket!) That upset me, so I started thinking about the letter that I had written to a prospective employer at a local Christian school and had dropped off that morning to the other church’s office.
However, ah…the best laid plans…. My pastor is not an easy man to sit back and ignore (and thank God for that!) At least once a sermon (usually more) he says something so jarring and/or profound that I think about it for days. Here is a (very) brief synopsis of what jarred me this particular Sunday.
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” IS HE? Or is it materialism, your bank account, church service, friends, family, etc….??
Yes, that is the very simplified version, and meaning no disrespect to my pastor, for he delivered a great message, well thought out, with examples, etc…but the Holy Spirit used that one statement to grab my attention and shake my very soul.
I started to think about that. I denied the conviction of God. “Surely I don’t have another Shepherd? I trust God! I go to church!! Me, Lord??? Are you sure???” (Yes, I often have conversations like this in my head!)
I had no peace Sunday night. Why? Well, you see, it was my daughter’s fault—she was picking a fight with me. Or, it was my (separated) husband’s fault—he didn’t do as I expected him to do and help me out financially with the tickets. Excuse after excuse piled on.
Monday it hit me. The reason why I had no peace, and the reason that I was arguing with everyone was not anyone else’s fault…it was because the Lord is NOT my Shepherd. My husband, even out of the house, is my shepherd. It is a very bad habit of mine to expect him to take care of anything that is wrong, to make it better. And I realized that it should be GOD’s job to take care of me, and it is MY job to look to Him to do it, and not to my husband.
I wish that I could tell you that I immediately got down on my knees and begged God’s forgiveness and all is hunky-dory right now, but I cannot. I did ask God’s forgiveness, but it still going to be a struggle for a while, as old habits die hard. However, with His help, and a lot of prayers, I will (read: am determined to) get rid of this idolatry in my life and give God His rightful role as “my Shepherd.”
How about you? Is there anything or anyone that you look to before or in place of God? Think on that, pray about it, ask God to show you, and He will....
PRAYER: Lord, I confess to You my idolatry in this area. YOU alone should be my Shepherd, and I want to be truly one of Your sheep. I love you, Lord, and I want to learn how to serve You better. Please forgive me and help me to remember that You are my Shepherd, and no other. Help me to listen to Your voice only. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness according to Your promise in I John 1:9. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Copyright © 2007 Kimberly A. Michalski. All Rights Reserved.
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I really enjoyed reading this. God should be the only Shepherd leading us. We often let things lead us and find ourselves on the wrong path. Thanks for this encouraging article. God bless you.
BEAUTIFUL WRITING, THOUGHTS, LESSON, TO LEARN AND APPLY TO MY LIFE...FOR SO LONG WORK, ETC. HAVE DICTATED MY LIFE...IT'S TIME FOR ME TO LET GOD BE MY GOD, AND MY SHEPHEARD...TO LET HIM ALONE DICTATE MY EVERY THOUGHT AND PATH...THANK YOU FOR SHARING WHAT HE TAUGHT YOU...
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