Before God created the first human being, He anticipated everything we would need. Knowing we couldn’t live in the dark He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Knowing we couldn’t live under water, He created dry ground and separated the land from the water. Knowing we would need sustenance to survive so He created fruits, vegetables and grains to feed us. Only after He had prepared a planet capable of supplying all our needs did He create man in His own image.

Well it has been said, “God had a solution before we had a need!”

“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need…”

— Philippians 4:19 (MSG)

Father God, we thank You for Your careful preparation and Your abundant provision. Amen.

Psalm 23:5 declares, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies….”

That short phrase contains three powerful truths:
1) Divine preparation—“You prepare.”
2) Divine provision—“You prepare a table.”
3) Divine protection—“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

The Lord anticipates every need we will ever have and prepares to meet our needs before they even exist.

“…your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

— Matthew 6:8 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the ways You have prepared to supply all of my needs. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

When the early missionaries sailed for Africa, shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, many of them packed their belongings in caskets. They believed they would probably die in Africa. Given the harsh climate and diseases, death was a very real possibility. So why did they go? They were consumed with a passion to take the gospel to those who had never heard the good news. Laying down their life seemed a small price to pay for bringing salvation and eternal life to Africa’s millions.

“…my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

Lord Jesus, may sharing the gospel be the consuming passion of my life. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

The famous violinist, Fritz Krezler said, “Straight and narrow and hard is the way that leads to a life of a violinist. I have lived with my violin hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month, for years. There were so many things I had to let go if I was to master this violin.’”

If we truly want to master the Christ life there will be many things we will have to leave undone, many places we will never get to go. To truly become all God is calling us to be will require our absolute dedication. Are you willing to make that kind of commitment?

“Don’t look for shortcuts to God…The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”

Lord Jesus, I truly want to make that kind of commitment. Help me I pray. Amen.

Most often God speaks to us through the Scriptures. It is the revelation of His character, the declaration of His plans and purposes in our world, the proclamation of His law and the good news of His mercy and grace! If you truly desire to hear God’s voice live in the Word! Read it. Study it. Meditate upon it. Memorize it. Hide it in your heart and in your darkest hour You will hear His voice and it will sustain You.

“I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.”

Lord Jesus, help us to faithful study Your Word, meditate upon it, and memorize it. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

According to Phillip Keller, the shepherd will use his staff to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if they become separated. He will also use it to reach out and catch individual sheep and draw them close to himself for intimate examination. He also uses it for guiding sheep. In the same way the good shepherd uses his staff to draw us close to himself for nurture and care. He also uses it to guide us in the way we should go.

“Lord, lead me as you promised me…Tell me clearly…which way to turn.”

Lord Jesus, thank you for Your patience and loving care. Continue to guide us the the way we should go. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

In the 23rd Psalm David tells us to fear no evil because the shepherd is with us. I take great comfort in knowing the shepherd’s rod will protect me from the evil one. Of course, the devil is not the only enemy we face. If the truth be told we are often our own worst enemy. Phillip Keller says, “If the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away on its own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to danger…the rod would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch.”

“I used to wander off until you punished me; now I closely follow all you say.”

Lord Jesus, You are the good shepherd. Use Your rod to protect me from every danger including the dangers I bring on myself. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

When I was a boy, I had a vivid imagination. One night I awoke and thought I saw an intruder standing at the foot of my bed. I wanted to scream but I was so afraid I couldn’t make a sound. For several seconds, maybe even a minute or more, I lay there paralyzed with fear. Finally, I managed to scream and in an instant my father burst into my bedroom. When he did the intruder disappeared and my fear fled. Psalm 107 says:

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble
and he delivered them from their distress.”

Father God, Your abiding presence is the only antidote we have for the fear that stalks us. As long as You are near we will fear nothing. Amen.

When the Psalmist speaks of the valley of the shadow of death, he’s alluding to every difficult experience we face in life. One that comes readily to mind is suffering; that place where our faith is tried. Suffering comes in many forms. Whatever form it takes it will likely tempt us to blame God or at least to doubt Him. So, what can we do when suffering cuts us off at the knees. We can do what David. 1 Samuel 30:6 says,

“David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

Lord Jesus, when we are tempted to give help us to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Enable us to live victoriously even in the midst of great suffering. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

While in the valley of failure—that place where our self-image dies—the great shepherd not only sustained Ira Stanphill but also used him to compose a song to comfort others in their darkest hour. Out of the deepest pain, following a devasting divorce, he wrote: “Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?”

Lord Jesus, be with those who are desperately hurting because of their poor choices and embarrassing failures. Restore them I pray. Amen.