My God is provider

Could anyone better than David speak of the Lord as a shepherd? I do not believe it. The trade came from home. It had been his experience for years. He led his family's flock, gave names to his sheep, led them to meadows of abundant pasture, sought out the lost, restored those who fell, brought the lost into the fold. The sheep knew him.

In today's society, human beings - some Christians are (unfortunately) included in this species - lives in a constant hallucination to meet their supposed needs. The barrier between desire and need seems to have opened and both concepts merge creating a concoction of conflicting feelings that sometimes do not allow us to see the providence of God, but rather the apparent “good” result of our efforts.

Psalm 23 is the hymn of the promise of provision, comfort and trust in the Lord. It is an allegro vivace in the symphony of the joy of the Lord (which is our strength!) In light of his promises to meet our needs. Paul, who most showed the world this truth, in full captivity, in the darkness of his dark cell, said to the Philippians: “Therefore, my God will give you all that you lack, according to the glorious riches that you have in Christ Jesus ”(Phil 4:19). In the same letter, he also encouraged them to trust God and pray to seek God's providence: “Do not grieve over anything, but present everything to God in prayer; ask him, and give him thanks too ”. (Flp 4.6)

What is the outlook today? The culture of eagerness, of "I want more" and "I can do it" has also made its way into the Church of the Good Shepherd, sowing weeds in the people of God and activating a kind of self-sufficiency, petulant, vain and far away of the promised sufficiency of Christ, the sole provider and sustainer of our lives. The "I can do it" does not allow us to rest in the green pastures that are the arms of the Lord, nor does it lead us to the calm waters of his Spirit, nor does it encourage or comfort us; Rather, it burdens us with worldly expectations, typical of the flesh: of fear, of the crisis of faith, of living, counterproductively, orphans of the grace that we enjoy with Christ. The "I can do" (... apart from God we can do nothing -Jn 15.5-) will inevitably bring depression and uncertainty in the present to face the future.

Can you say that the Lord is your shepherd and that he belongs to his flock? Have you recognized Him as Lord? If you have not recognized him as Lord of your life, it will be very difficult to experience him as your shepherd. Jesus has not only promised to supply all the needs of those who acknowledge him Lord and ask for him in prayer. He also promises us eternal abode, abundant blessing if we submit to Him in everything, to be supplied in everything. Acknowledge Him Lord will overlay your cup each day with joy and blessings and will adorn your table forever with garlands of grace because He is your shepherd, and mine. Psalm 23 is the pure image of Christ, relational, personal, close to all the emotions and passions that a grateful heart for the provision and love of the Lord can experience.

Are you in the fold? The Word brings hope: “As a shepherd who cares for his sheep when they are scattered, so will I care for my sheep; I will rescue them from the places where they were scattered on a dark and stormy day ”. (Ez 34.12) Do you experience the good and mercy that overflows the cup of God's love for his children?

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). Christ gave his life for his sheep and rose again. His fervent desire is that those who have not yet met him, come to him and accept him by faith as Lord and Savior. His Spirit will overflow your cup, quench your thirst and supply even your deepest need

God bless you!

Suggested Reading: Psalm 23