Green Pastures and Quiet Waters

I would love to go through my days with childlike delight — enjoying every blessing You provide. However, I am rarely that lighthearted. Oh, I have my moments: times when I rejoice in You and with You. I long for those bright moments, which punctuate the timeline of my days, to spread out and cover increasingly more of my life.

Beloved,

This is a good desire, but you cannot achieve it through self-discipline or by trying harder. Your ability to rejoice in Me with childlike delight flows out of your relationship with Me. Think of all it means to have Me as your Shepherd: My full-time job is watching over you, taking care of you. Because I am infinite, I can care for you as if you were My only “sheep.” Remember that I am the Good Shepherd. When danger threatens, I never abandon you. I have even gone so far as to lay down My Life for you. I, the Good Shepherd, know My sheep and My sheep know Me — just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. Chew on that awesome truth as you lie down and rest in green pastures.

To walk through a day with carefree delight, you must trust in My Love with childlike certainty. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing Love for you will not be shaken. The more you trust in this unfailing Love, the more you can enjoy My Presence. Look trustingly to Me while we journey together, and I will point out delights along the way. As you savor these pleasures, your bright moments will multiply in the Light of My Presence.

I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know me — just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father — and I lay down My life for the sheep. — John 10:14-15

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. — Isaiah 54:10

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Your Turn

“Your ability to rejoice in Me with childlike delight flows out of your relationship with Me.” Think about this sentence from Sarah Young’s book, Dear Jesus and meditate on God’s unfailing love. What does a deeper awareness of His Love produce in your heart? Leave a comment on our blog, as we would love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily

Memorize this Week 

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (NIV)