Daily Devotional 12-15-2021
Psa 23:1-4 CSB A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. (2) He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. (3) He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (4) Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. The psalmist employed the figure of a shepherd to recall the blessings he enjoyed from the Lord. The metaphor was a natural one for David, the shepherd-king. It was also a common metaphor in the ancient Near East, as many kings compared themselves to shepherds in their leadership capacity. The prophecy of the coming Messiah incorporated the same, and Jesus identified Himself as that expected “Good Shepherd”. He is also called the “Great Shepherd” and “the Chief…
Daily Devotional 8-10-2021
1Pe 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; The command Be shepherds was also given by Jesus to Peter. Besides feeding, it includes caring, leading, guiding, and protecting – all duties and responsibilities a shepherd has for his flock. “Overseer” seems to be interchangeable with “elder” and connotes both a spiritual and physical guardianship Peter, through contrasting exhortations, presented both the motive and the manner of one’s ministry. An elder’s motive must be from willingness, not from a sense of external compulsion: not because you must, but because you are willing. Social or financial pressures should not be substituted for the pure motivation to do God’s will and to serve Him freely and eagerly: not greedy for money, but eager to…