Psalms and Proverbs.

In Psalms My Good Shepherd Draws Me Close and Listens for My Voice

Shepherds still travel with their flocks across the arid landscape of Israel today. And just like the shepherds of old, today’s shepherds know their sheep. They know what scares them; they know when just one of the flock wanders off.

They guide and protect them because they are theirs.

David called the Lord “our Shepherd” because we are God’s sheep.

We are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. — Psalm 95:7 NKJV, he wrote.

And just like sheep we, too, need a shepherd to guide us and protect us. Without God’s guidance, we wander and get caught in the thistles of life. If He doesn’t lead us beside still waters, we will get spiritually dry and worn out. If He leaves us alone, the wolves of lies and evil will pounce on us and devour our faith and confidence.

God is the Good Shepherd — your Good Shepherd who draws you close and watches over you. He invites you to lie down in green pastures; He refreshes your soul and guides you along the right paths.

And even the darkness of the valley of the shadow of death doesn’t have to frighten you because God doesn’t ever leave you.

I will not be afraid, the Psalmist sang, for You are close beside me. — Psalm 23:4 NLT

Your Good Shepherd sees your tears and listens for your voice. Again, David cried,

You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry. — Psalm 10:17

Let your Good Shepherd carry you today through the valleys or the victories. As you walk with Him, talk with Him. He knows you and loves you and hears you, and He wants His

goodness and love [to] follow [you] all the days of [your] life. — Psalm 23:6.

In Proverbs God Offers Me Wisdom More Precious Than Rubies

The God of the universe calls you His own, His beloved child. And your heavenly Father has riches and wealth at His disposal. He could give you anything because nothing is too hard or too big for Him.

God could show you that He loves you by lavishing you with luxury, moving you into a new

house, getting you out of debt, and making you a billionaire. But when God expresses His love to His child, he does it by offering you something far more valuable than gold, something more priceless than any precious gemstone. He gives you wisdom. Why? Because wisdom will

prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. — Proverbs 3:2.

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. — Proverbs 9:12 NLT

God could give you anything, but He chooses to give you wisdom.

Wisdom is knowledge, with the spiritual insight to judge what really matters. And it is yours for the asking!

Just as God gave Solomon a wise and “discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:9) when he asked for it, God is leaning over the edge of heaven even now, listening for your request, just waiting to fill your heart with wisdom too. So if you lack wisdom,

ask of God, who gives to all liberally — James 1:5.

God gives His most precious and valuable gifts to His children. That is ultimately why He gave you Jesus — and Jesus is the “wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Thank God today for loving you so much that He only gives you the very best gifts — including that gift that is more precious than rubies.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. — Proverbs 3:13–15 ESV

* * *

Excerpt from 66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild.