Pray… You, O Lord, are my Good Shepherd who came down from heaven and suffered that I might be reconciled to God. Apart from You I can do nothing. I need not be in want of anything, for You rescued me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Now I abide in Him as a branch in Your precious Vine. You make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside quiet waters. You give me Your yoke that is easy and Your burden that is light, restoring my soul. Through the washing of regeneration and renewing by Your Spirit You have made me righteous as You guide me on Your path for Your name’s sake. Even though I walk through valleys of the shadow of death, and do the things I do not wish because of the sin that dwells in my flesh, I need fear no evil because You are with me. Your rod, Your staff, and the presence of Your Spirit, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemy. You anoint my head with oil and my cup overflows: pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, that I may dwell in Your kingdom forever. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus.
Consider…”I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Our good, Good Shepherd set aside His crown of majesty on high and came down, taking the form of a man. Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted in all things as a man, and then died a hideous death on the cross in the flesh to gain the final victory over death forever. This Christ alone is the One who will bring us into His kingdom on earth, lead us beside still waters, walk us safely through the valleys of darkness, confidently set a table before us in the presence of the enemy, guide us in paths of righteousness, restore and renew our souls, and give us goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. Then He will prepare a place in His eternal house for us where we will abide in, and with, Him forever. As we walk the many valleys where shadows of doubt and fear await on our journey through the gauntlets of sainthood, we need fear no evil. His yoke, His rod, and His staff will all be there to challenge, to guide, and to comfort us. The Good Shepherd loses none who hear His voice and follow Him to their eternal destiny. They will surely dwell in His house forever.
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