The Lord Our Shepherd

                                          (Photograph by Michael Rairdon)

The winter's in Northern Maine can seem to drag on and on.  The seem to be so long and there is a whole lot of snow with more on it's way.  The recent snow did make the landscape rather beautiful.  I am more of a summer time kind of guy.  I like the sunshine, blue skies, and white puffy clouds.  I cherish those two months out of the year that we have of summer up here in Northern Maine.

Sometimes in life we have to go through things that we would rather not have to go through.  No one really likes to endure pain, unless you are out of your mind.  I am kind of wimpy when it comes to pain and uncomfortable things.

When things get tough and troubles come we must cling to the Lord Jesus and trust Him.  We need to persevere and keep running the race that the Lord has set before us.  Sometimes it can be all too easy to complain and grumble about what we are going through, but we must develop an attitude of gratitude.  There is a reason for what we are going through.  We may not know what exactly that reason is on this side of eternity, but the Lord can use this difficult season that we are going through for our ultimate good and for His Glory.

When life gets hard and it snows on us all the time we need to remember that God is still God and He loves us.  The Lord wants us to love Him and to draw near to Him.  There are some seasons of life that we may not like to go through, but the Lord promises us that He will walk us through them.  We can trust Him each step of the way no matter how difficult the journey may seem.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
                                                                            

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

The Lord is our shepherd.  He wants us to follow Him wherever it is that He wants to lead us.  Sometimes the journey is difficult one.  The journey may involve heartache, pain, and unending periods of snow and cold temperatures.  The Lord will provide for all of our needs no matter what we are going through.

The Lord will lead us and guide us.  The Lord will fill us with His joy and a peace that only He can give to us.  The Lord will quiet the noise in our souls if we allow Him to.  He will restore our soul and He will revive our spirit with His Holy Spirit.

The Lord will guide us in the paths of righteousness to bring honor, praise, and glory to Himself.  We need to be obedient to His lead and submit ourselves to Him in every area of our lives.  We will need the help of the Holy Spirit to do that.

Sometimes we will have to walk through the lonely and dark valley in the shadow of death, but even then the Lord will be by our side.  He will protect us and He will comfort us.  We have great hope in the Lord even in hard times and even in harsh environments.

If we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we can also know that the Lord is preparing a place for us in Heaven one great day.  This world is not our home.  The true home for the believer in Jesus is in Heaven where we will be with the Lord forever.

We may have to go through hard times and make difficult decisions, but we believers in Jesus Christ know that one day we will be with the Lord and what a great and joyous day that will be.  May we not complain, but may we turn our eyes toward Jesus who will lead us if we just trust Him.

Lord,
We praise Your Holy Name.
Thank You for being our Shepherd.
Help us not to complain, but trust You more.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.