“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
Psalms 23:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.3.NLT
When Christ provides for us, he communicates respect, value, and worth to God.
Reflection
There is something profound in Christ’s care for us to take in:
- Christ does renew our strength: When exhaustion or fatigue sets in on us, the renewal Christ provides often starts with simple things like a good place to rest, wholesome food, and clean water (just as a good Shepherd does for sheep.)
- Christ guides us in the right ways: There are many voices giving us guidance and advice on any number of subjects in our lives. “Experts” are everywhere with plans, processes, and products that will “change our lives.” There is one trusted guide/shepherd. He absolutely knows the paths we need to stay on to navigate a landscape filled with opportunities and threats. We can put our full trust in him.
When Christ does this for us, he declares the goodness of God through his provision for us.
Encouragement
I believe the same to be true for us in helping others.
When we give a tired soul a place to rest, some good food, and clean water we are providing opportunity for them to experience the renewal offered by Christ, bringing glory and honor to this name!
When we offer guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, flowing from the wisdom of God, and underwritten by scripture, we are showing people the way they need to move forward as they follow Christ. This declares respect, value, and worth of God to those we are helping.
What Christ has given us, we get to give to others freely and generously.
A caution: We do not become the good Shepherd in doing this. We are simply helping others to know and follow Christ.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for renewing our strength right when we need it.
Thank you for guiding us in the right ways to go.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, thank you for inviting us to do the same for others.
In all of this, glory, honor, and respect are given to God for others to see.
Thank you for being the good shepherd of our lives.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Ed McDowell