Women's Devo | December 2020
The Lord is My Shepard
It’s December! It’s Christmas Time!
Everyone loves Christmas, right? It’s the Christmas music, drawing names for gifts, family gatherings, church musicals, school plays, all that wonderful Christmas food, and then there’s that special wedding or an engagement at Christmas. The list goes on and on of all the special things during this time of the year.
By now, most of us have our Christmas trees decorated, those tacky lights in the yard for the grandchildren, the stockings are hung, Christmas music (well that’s been playing since November 1st) and through the house is the most delectable smell of those homemade cookies for the neighbors (if they make it there!). The hustle and bustle of Christmas has set in already.
Christmas is truly a beautiful time of the year.
I collect miniature Nativity scenes. Each year I try to find a unique miniature nativity scene for my collection. The scenes range from different colors, different sizes, made with different materials and shapes. My favorite would be the snow globe--it’s so beautiful! But in all the scenes, they depict the same one: Mary and Joseph as they are beholding our Savior, baby Jesus.
When I look at my collection from time to time, (I keep them out all year) I notice there are no Shepherds or Wise Men. I’m sure it’s because they are so miniature. No Shepherds! But as I thought about it, there really is a Shepherd in every one of the scenes.
Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23 speaks about our total dependence on God. We are the flock and He’s the Shepherd. We have No Want. He’ll give us Rest. He’ll Guide us, Restore us, Provide for us. He’s our refreshment. He’s the rod and staff to guide and protect, even to discipline when we need it.
I
n this Christmas season you may not be feeling the joy of Christmas. Christmas time is difficult for many. You may need the Shepherd’s gentle touch in your life. You may need peace from the pains of this past year. You may need the Shepherd to comfort you because of loss of a loved one. You might be facing rejection or even contemplating suicide. You may just need The Shepherd to hold you close–and He will! Whatever you and I face, The Shepherd will forever be with us. He’ll never be missing in any of the scenes in your life. He is always present. Another promise is in Hebrews 13:5 NKJV, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is saying, “I will not let you down, I’ll never walk off, I’ll never desert you!”
Trust the Shepherd today to do whatever needs to be done in your life.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today, this Christmas season trusting you and asking for a gentle fresh touch amidst the business of my life. I know you are with me when things are good and even when things are not so good. My circumstances do not change WHO you are nor the promises in your Word. Thank you, Father, that your love endures forever! Mercy and grace are mine new each day. Amen.
Everyone loves Christmas, right? It’s the Christmas music, drawing names for gifts, family gatherings, church musicals, school plays, all that wonderful Christmas food, and then there’s that special wedding or an engagement at Christmas. The list goes on and on of all the special things during this time of the year.
By now, most of us have our Christmas trees decorated, those tacky lights in the yard for the grandchildren, the stockings are hung, Christmas music (well that’s been playing since November 1st) and through the house is the most delectable smell of those homemade cookies for the neighbors (if they make it there!). The hustle and bustle of Christmas has set in already.
Christmas is truly a beautiful time of the year.
I collect miniature Nativity scenes. Each year I try to find a unique miniature nativity scene for my collection. The scenes range from different colors, different sizes, made with different materials and shapes. My favorite would be the snow globe--it’s so beautiful! But in all the scenes, they depict the same one: Mary and Joseph as they are beholding our Savior, baby Jesus.
When I look at my collection from time to time, (I keep them out all year) I notice there are no Shepherds or Wise Men. I’m sure it’s because they are so miniature. No Shepherds! But as I thought about it, there really is a Shepherd in every one of the scenes.
Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23 speaks about our total dependence on God. We are the flock and He’s the Shepherd. We have No Want. He’ll give us Rest. He’ll Guide us, Restore us, Provide for us. He’s our refreshment. He’s the rod and staff to guide and protect, even to discipline when we need it.
I
n this Christmas season you may not be feeling the joy of Christmas. Christmas time is difficult for many. You may need the Shepherd’s gentle touch in your life. You may need peace from the pains of this past year. You may need the Shepherd to comfort you because of loss of a loved one. You might be facing rejection or even contemplating suicide. You may just need The Shepherd to hold you close–and He will! Whatever you and I face, The Shepherd will forever be with us. He’ll never be missing in any of the scenes in your life. He is always present. Another promise is in Hebrews 13:5 NKJV, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is saying, “I will not let you down, I’ll never walk off, I’ll never desert you!”
Trust the Shepherd today to do whatever needs to be done in your life.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today, this Christmas season trusting you and asking for a gentle fresh touch amidst the business of my life. I know you are with me when things are good and even when things are not so good. My circumstances do not change WHO you are nor the promises in your Word. Thank you, Father, that your love endures forever! Mercy and grace are mine new each day. Amen.
Pam Deen serves alongside her husband, David Deen, Pastor of the Southside Church of God in Alma, Georgia. The Deens have been married for nearly 40 years and have 2 children, Cole (Kim) Deen and Cammie (Kyle)Boatright and have 6 beautiful grandchildren: Cameron, Brenlee, Chanlee, Aubrey, Kylee and Kale. Pam works as Head Teller with the Pineland Bank of Alma. Pam enjoys spending time with their grands and going antiquing.
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