Just a thought by coppi

Leave the planning and leadership up to him, and simply follow him to green pastures and still waters every day. Seek relationship with him and allow daily, consistent encounters with him to mold and fashion you into a greater reflection of your Good Shepherd. May you find peace, joy, and patience by living in the present today.  (Greg Denison First 15, September 10, 2017

1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  (Ps 23)

When I was reading the first three verses of Psalm 23, three words stood out to me.  Want, leadeth, and restoreth.  I remember years ago, a young man I met related to me that Ps 23 saved him from committing suicide.  I asked “how is that?” His reply was –  “I was going through a divorce and I had two young girls and my wife was giving me problems on visitations rights.  I became very depressed and decided to take my life.  I picked up the Bible to Psalm 23 and the word ‘want’ stood out in neon lights.  It seemed to say to me I will not want in seeing my little girls.  I did not take my life and I see my girls whenever I want.”  ‘Leadeth’ –  if I let my Shepherd lead and direct my life, I find myself to be more at peace.  It took a lot of mistakes and wrong choices to come to that decision.  I now try and go to him before I make a decision.  When I don’t I regret it.  ‘Restoreth’ – as they say in Alcohol Anonymous “I have come to believe there is a power greater than myself that can restore my soul”.  I know for a fact that I cannot restore my soul it has to come from my Shepherd, but I first must come to him with what I need changed in my soul. He will if I am willing.  Three words – want, leadeth, and restoreth are very powerful but if the Shepherd is in control,  I will lie down in green pastures and he will lead me by the still waters.  And, that to me can be summed up in the word ‘