The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Choose to Trust” for Saturday, 3 January 2015 - Scripture:1-6

The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Choose to Trust” for Saturday, 3 January 2015 - Scripture:1-6 Psalm 23: A David Psalm
1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.
The psalmist wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”[Psalm 23:4 (NIV)]
A relatively routine surgery developed life-threatening complications, and my husband’s life was now hanging by a thread. This unexpected situation brought me face to face with the reality that I was not in control of my life. But I knew God was present.
Obviously, I had not chosen these circumstances, but I knew I could choose how I would respond to them. Sitting in that ICU room, I reflected on the fact that when I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior, he became my divine shepherd. Meditating on the unlimited, timeless, supreme power of my shepherd filled my heart with comfort and peace. I chose at that moment to trust my shepherd — just as King David describes in Psalm 23.
Sudden, unexpected turns in life that cause us to anticipate an uncertain future can cripple us with doubt and fear. These situations can steal our peace and stifle our joy. However, we have an antidote. Peace and comfort — even joy — will return when we remember that we are the sheep of God’s pasture. Let us choose to trust our Great Shepherd’s divine care and wisdom.
The Author: Sandra Hastings (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
Thought for the Day: We can rest in peace, knowing we are in the care of a loving God.
Prayer:Thank you, Great Shepherd, for leading us in paths that are best for our spiritual growth. You provide all we need, and we praise you for your loving, faithful care. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those undergoing surgery
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