Psalm 23 (NRSV)
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Verse 1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Verse 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
Verse 3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Verse 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.
Verse 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Verse 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Devotion
Bishop Lawrence Field, who traveled the mountains and plains of the West, told of a train trip where he talked with a poorly dressed, somewhat withdrawn elderly man seated next to him. When the bishop learned that the man was a shepherd, he said that he was too. The elderly man perked up and asked how large a flock the bishop had. He answered, "about 200,000." The man's eyes widened with amazement and he replied, "You must be very busy at lambing time!" At lambing time everyone must help if the lambs are to be saved. It is lambing time in our hurting, torn apart, sinful world today! Christ is calling us to "tend his sheep," to "feed his lambs." It is lambing time. Are we ready to pitch in? Do we know his voice? Yes, the Good Shepherd is calling and reassuring us!
Prayer
Tender Shepherd, even as you minister to our needs, equip us for service to all of your other lambs. Amen