Recently in the routine of my daily life, my eyes fell on the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” It was like I was stuck in the midst of these words. How many times had I seen and heard those familiar words from Psalm 23?
As I continued to meditate on this passage, the Lord spoke to my heart: “Joyce, do you really understand and believe these words?” One thing I have learned in my walk with the Lord is that when He brings your attention to something and asks you a question, you may think you know, but the truth is there is much more to this than what you thought!
I, like many of you, have read this psalm for comfort and seen it written on many beautiful plaques hanging on the wall. As I continued meditating this verse, the Lord spoke again to my heart: “This is your promised land! You have unlimited resources, and you do not have lack in any area of your life.” That was good news, and that is where I desire to live.
As I continued to make this psalm a priority in my daily reading, it brought back some memories of my time living in Scotland. Driving through the highlands, the sheep graze over the hills and one thing is clear, their shepherd is in charge, and the sheep knew his voice. The Scripture in John 10:4 immediately came to my memory: “When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” I will never forget the first time I read that. I was so excited as a new believer to know I could hear His voice.
This psalm is much more than beautiful poetic literature; it describes the life of a believer walking through this world. My confidence was strengthened in the Lord as I continued in this Scripture, and the Holy Spirit began to bring revelation.
I am living with unlimited resources. He makes me lie down in green pastures; and His Word gives rest to my soul, as He continues to restore my soul in the ways of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I can surrender totally to the Shepherd because He has prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies, and I will fear no evil.
I can forgive my enemies by the power of His grace and love that He imparts into my spirit.
My cup is full. And I know that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
Once again. the Lord reminded me of how important it is not to become “familiar” with Scripture. The Scripture is always giving birth to revelation of the Word that takes us deeper in Him, as long as we hold that desire in our heart to know Him and the power of His resurrection.
I am so thankful for the ministry of the Holy Spirit who knows what we need and when we need it. I was at a place where I needed to be reminded that the Lord is my Shepherd, and He has given me a promised land. Just as He led the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt to their promised land, He was leading me into my promised land. I was not alone because He was with me.
The key to the promised land is obedience. Job 36:11 says, “If they obey and serve Him, they will spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.”
Joyce Tilney is an author and Bible teacher. In her new book, The Real Woman Grows Roses from the Thorns of Life, Joyce shares how the seed of God’s Word planted in your heart will transform you into the child God created you to be. For more information email: [email protected] and visit her website at wogministries.com. The book is available on Amazon.
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