Contentment: Psalm 23
I asked my friend Roland to write a short devotion on Psalm 23. I’ve known Roland for a few years and during those years he has been a tremendous example to me of what it means to journey with God through some unimaginable difficulties. So as you read this, know you read from the heart of someone who has journeyed deep with God as His shepherd through the valley.
-Josh
Blaise Pascal once said: "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ." When the Lord is our shepherd, we shall not lack, or want, anything else. He is more than enough to fulfill our desires, because "All things were created by Him and for Him," (Colossians 1:16)
Our shepherd provides us with what we need, when we need it. There are so many moments in our lives He has ordained ahead of time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), and to our benefit (Romans 8:28). He provides moments of rest, moments to cry, and even puts the tears in a bottle! (Psalms 56:8) Moments to laugh, mourn, and celebrate. He provides us with hugs, comforting words, friends to lean on, and people that are going through the same thing, so we know we are not alone.
Finding contentment in the Lord is a struggle, and one that could take years to come to terms with. But what could help is if we consume the words of God daily, we remind ourselves of His promises, and what He has done for us. Namely, Him sending His Son to die for you because His love is great (Eph 2:4, cf John 3:16) to redeem us in His eyes. Then with the new hearts He gives us (Ezekiel 36:26, Psalm 51:10, 2 Cor 5:17), we can come to Him and find full satisfaction in Him.
Roland.