August 21 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Psalm 23:

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Devotional

In the orient a shepherd went before his sheep. He called his sheep by name, and the sheep followed him. He led them into pastures of tender grass, and beside still waters. He pro­tected them against all dangers. He sought the lost, and when he found it, he carried it back to the fold. He took special care of the weak and the sick, and carried the lambs in his bosom. What a beautiful picture of the tender care the Good Shep­herd Jesus Christ bestows upon his sheep! He does all that; but He has done infinitely more. He has laid down his life for his sheep. He bought them with his own blood.

This is what He has promised us in his Word. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out ... I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God." Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep ... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."

"I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish." "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." He shall guide them not only throughout life, but shall be with them when they pass through the valley of the shadow of death. And in the beyond—"The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water."

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we thank Thee that from day to day we are in our Good Shepherd's care; that He holds his protecting hand over us; that He feeds us with the bread of life, and leads us to the fountains of living waters; that He restores our soul. May we never wander away from our Good Shepherd and his fold, but follow him faithfully withersoever He leads. May we always give diligent heed unto his voice. May his word be a light unto our path, and guide us to our heavenly home. We ask it in his name. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:11, 15; John 10:11, 14, 28; I Pet. 2:25; Ps. 23:4; Rev. 7:17.

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