0:00
Shalom and God bless you beloved for connecting with us today for a morning glory devotion
0:28
here at Habitat's Chapel International Kumasi. We are glad that you are able to join us for
0:35
today's episode. This is Pastor Jeffrey Amwasa and I'll be facilitating today's episode.
0:44
Let us pray. Father, we thank you for this opportunity to look into your perfect world. We pray
0:52
that you shall teach us something new. Stay faith in our hearts that we may go out there and
0:59
do your word in Jesus name. Amen. Beloved, let's take our confession together from Joshua chapter
1:08
one, the verse eight. This book of the law shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate in
1:17
it day and night that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then I will
1:25
make my way prosperous and then I will have good success. Amen. Beloved, the topic for today is God
1:37
our shepherd and guide God our shepherd and guide. Now take our scripture reading from Psalm 23
1:47
the verse one to six. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green
1:55
pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of
2:03
righteousness for his name's sake. Yeah, though I walk through the value of the shadow of death,
2:10
how fear no evil for you are with me or rod and your stuff, they comfort me. You prepare a table
2:19
before me in the presence of my enemies. You are knocked my head with oil. My cup runs over.
2:27
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of
2:35
the Lord forever. Amen. God our shepherd and guide. I first memorized Psalm 23 as a little boy in
2:50
junior high school. It was a very first chapter of the Bible I memorized. I did this not because I
2:59
understood it much at the time, but because it was a compulsory recital at every morning assembly
3:05
before classes began. However, over the years in my personal Christian experience,
3:13
this sound has grown into more than my childhood recitation. It is a living reality for me as I
3:20
believe. And I personally believe that the words in this song must be the portion of all believers.
3:29
Psalm 23 is a reminder that God is the true shepherd of our souls and our lives. David himself
3:36
a shepherd paints a vivid picture of a loving, caring and ever-feetful God. He probably
3:44
wrote the sound before becoming king. He tells a story and journey when he was all alone with God,
3:52
of how God protected and provided for him during the lonely wilderness days.
3:59
Clearly, David knew and understood what it meant to watch over sheep, to shield them from lions
4:05
and bears, to tend for them and to lead them into pastures and still waters. In the same way,
4:15
he testifies that God had shepherded his life with tender care.
4:22
The first sentence in the song is so powerful. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.
4:30
This is not a small statement. It is a bold affirmation of how David trusted God.
4:37
Those of us who belong to Christ can claim the same truth. We can trust him
4:43
because God's presence in our lives is enough. His nearness is our assurance that no true need
4:51
will ever go on met. Because of his presence, he leads, restores and refreshes our souls in ways
4:59
no earthly activity can achieve. In a world filled with noise, uncertainty, the Lord's presence
5:08
never fails. Beloved lives journey is also full of low moments, dark seasons, fearful experiences
5:16
and unexpected dangers. The song does not deny these realities. David acknowledges the existence
5:24
of shadows, threats and even death itself. Yet he declares in the song that God's presence offers
5:32
mighty protection. This is the heart of encouragement for every believer. We are never alone. God,
5:41
the shepherd, walks beside us with the power to protect and arms to uphold us. His presence
5:49
transforms the valley of fear into a pathway filled with confidence. Moreover, some 23 reminds us
5:58
that God is not only a shepherd who defends but also a father who provides abundantly.
6:05
He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. He unknowns our heads with oil.
6:12
This is a sign of blessings, fever, healing and the overflow. Our cup overflow is because his
6:19
goodness and kindness are limitless. Even when life feels birin or dry, his provision is sure.
6:28
And his blessing cannot be stopped by any adversary. This song also points us towards the future
6:37
truth of unwavering hope. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
6:46
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. As believers, we are sure that God's love
6:53
is not a seasonal. As mercy will trail our steps, his favour will accompany our journey
7:00
and his promise of eternal fellowship will carry us into his presence forever.
7:07
Beloved, some 23 is more than a comforting passage to recite. It is a declaration of our inheritance.
7:15
God as our shepherd, he guides, helps, protects and provides without fear.
7:22
He walks into every unknown situation with us and his faithfulness will never waver.
7:30
For the one who trusts in him, there is no situation too dark. No need too great
7:36
and no future too uncertain. His presence is a gift that keeps on given.
7:43
So let everyone leave a hold on to this truth with unwavering faith. The Lord is our shepherd.
7:50
Now and always, work boldly, live joyfully and rest securely under his care in Jesus' mighty name.
8:03
Let us pray. Father, we thank you for the gift of your presence that protects,
8:28
provides and assures us that it is well with us in all situations in Jesus' name.
8:35
Let us walk in this confidence with you. Amen.
8:41
Beloved God bless you for connecting and being a part of today's episode. We know that you have
8:46
been blessed. Want to encourage you to stay connected and come back for more blessed episodes
8:53
of our morning glory devotion in Jesus' name. Shalom and have a blessed fasting season. Amen.