Devotional thoughts for Saturday

Saturday 11. October 2014

Trinity 16 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23,1) 

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most known and beloved psalm. It was written by King David. When David was a boy, he was a shepherd for his father's sheep. 

This psalm describes God's providence in beautiful, poetic terms. Like a shepherd, God cares for us and watches over us. He keeps us safe and rescues us when become lost or are in danger. 

God wants the very best for us. In this life, however, we experience hardships. We may not be well-off financially or physically. Life may be a real struggle. But God is there. He is with us in all the dark, shadowy times of our lives carrying us through them. 

The end of the path is everlasting life in God's presence. He wants us to share that with Him forever. This is why Jesus is our Good Shepherd, for He arrived to save the lost sinful sheep of God. He redeemed us and carried us back home to our Heavenly Father. 

In the bliss of eternal life, God lavishes upon us all His wealth. He anoints us, and goodness and mercy are ours endlessly. All tears and sorrow will be gone in God's presence. We will enjoy His eternal love and grace that we have now experienced in His Son. We have this as a promise now: in His Holy Scripture, in Holy Baptism and in the Lord's Supper. God is merciful to us, now and always. 

Prayer: O Almighty and Everlasting God, we give thanks to You for Your servant Philip the Deacon. You called him to preach the gospel to the peoples of Samaria and Ethiopia. Raise up in this and every land messengers of Your reign, so that You Church may proclaim the immeasurable riches of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen. (1098, Treasury of Daily Prayer)