Day 9: Gratitude

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.

Psalm 23:1 (NLT)

Psalm 23 contains some of the most beautiful words in all of scripture, penned by King David himself. Although he reigned as king, David was once a shepherd boy and knew the intimate relationship that exists between a shepherd and his sheep. He understood this to be the perfect analogy describing our relationship with God.

In fact, sheep are mentioned well over 500 times in scripture, more than any other animal, and it’s no accident. We are just like them.

Sheep are stupid, stubborn, and are among the most helpless animals on the planet. They are dirty (with no ability to clean themselves), defenseless (have no fangs, claws, or properties for protection), and can easily die in their sleep (rolling over on their back and working themselves into a heart attack).

They are in absolute dependence of the shepherd to provide for every single one of their needs.

The shepherd knows all of this, and prepares ahead of time in order to meet the needs of his flock. Although a sheep may feel hunger or see a dark valley around them, the shepherd has already prepared everything they need.

Maybe you, like a sheep, actually already have all that you need from your Good Shepherd.

Today, tell your Good Shepherd what you’re concerned about, but then shift your focus, and begin to talk to Him of all that He’s already given you. Perhaps He’s already provided for your needs, even regarding the concerns you’ve brought to Him today.

What has He given you? How has He provided for you? Thank Him for it today.

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

John 10:11 (NASB 95)