When fear regarding the cares of this world sets in, we must remember God’s promise to care for us. ~ Elizabeth George
Do you get afraid? Or lonely? Or intimidated? Or uncertain? Yeah, me too. I find myself wandering through life wondering if I’ll ever be enough, have enough, do enough. Some days I look at all the things I’ve done – from dishes to laundry to car pool to blog posts – and I think, “I’ll have to do every single one of those things again tomorrow.” And I wonder, “Does it matter?” But really, deep inside, I’m really asking God, “Do I matter?”
Maybe you can relate. I imagine at some level we all have known that feeling. We may know in our heads that we have a God who sees us (El Roi) but we feel in our hearts that we remain unseen. We know in our heads that our God provides (Jehovah Jireh) but we look around and feel so very needy. We know in our heads that God is there (Jehovah Shammah) but we still feel so very alone.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Psalm 23:1
These words have brought comfort to mourning families for centuries … but they offer us hope and truth as well. These five words, “The Lord is my shepherd,” come from two Hebrew words: Jehovah Rohi.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and I am known by My own” (John 10:14).
Jesus, our shepherd, is Jehovah Rohi, our Lord.
- He feeds us … literally and spiritually.
- He leads us … through still waters and through dark valleys … but He is with us each step.
- He warns us … by His rod and staff we are guided and disciplined … because we are loved.
Today, will you slow down and read Psalm 23? Cherish the promises of care and protection, provision and love, so freely offered to us. What a great gift we have been given … to know Jehovah Rohi, the Lord is my shepherd.
How have you experienced the feeding, leading, and warning of the Lord in your life?
