The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:1
This comforting Bible passage offers reassurance that God is present, protecting us, and directing our steps. Because the Lord is our Shepherd, He cares for us, His flock, making sure we have everything we need. Even when we feel uncertain about our lives, our community, our country, or the world, we can trust our Shepherd. God is in control. He knows the way. His reassuring leadership is always available to us through prayer.
How does God lead us?
The 23rd Psalm builds on the idea that the Lord is our Shepherd by presenting two ways that He leads us. “He leadeth me beside the still waters” reveals God as a sure presence that brings us peace. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” shows that God’s rule is just, leading us to right outcomes.
Throughout the Bible, we see God’s power for good, even in turbulent times. We come to see God as all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, uses Principle as a synonym for God. God as Principle is seen in the order, harmony, and stability found throughout the Bible and in our lives.
How can prayer help us follow God’s leadership?
Prayer quiets fear and uncertainty, helping us become more receptive to God’s wisdom and direction. The Bible shows that we can reach out to God for help in any situation and receive answers that provide a path forward.
In the story of Esther, Queen Esther and the Jewish people faced extinction in ancient Persia. Through the counsel of her adoptive father, Mordecai, Esther was led to use her position as queen to save her people. Using the right words at the right time, Esther reveals her Jewish identity to the king and makes a heartfelt plea to preserve her people. Right where injustice seemed to prevail, one woman’s openness to divine inspiration and her conviction to act on it resulted in a just outcome.
Can God’s leadership help us in uncertain times?
Just as Esther did, we can trust God’s wisdom to lead us. He will show us a way forward.
Step by step will those who trust Him find that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 444:10
When we listen, God shows us the steps that lead to healing in our lives and the world. We may feel unsettled by the actions of people who seem to directly disobey God’s rule. But the more we turn to God to govern our lives, the more others may be inspired to do the same.
The Lord is our Shepherd
The Lord is our Shepherd, expressing tender care and strength, leading us and everyone. When we pray and listen for God’s direction, He leads us on the right path. Amid uncertainty of any kind, we can affirm that God is in control. And when we listen for God’s wisdom and follow it, we can trust that our prayers and actions will have a real effect on the world around us.
