Fed With Spiritual Bread

Psalm 23:1

Another versification of the truth in Psalm 23:1 which we sang yesterday is the beautiful confession:

    Thou Jehovah, art my shepherd,
    Therefore I no want shall know:
    In green pastures Thou dost rest me,
    Leadest where still waters flow,
    And when fainting, 
    Sweet refreshment dost bestow.

And truly every crumb of bread our earthly lives need and every drop of water upon which our earthly life depends will be given us, until the moment when our Good Shepherd brings us to His Father's house, that we may dwell there with Him.

But can you, and do you sincerely sing that your shepherd makes you lie down in pastures of spiritual food, and leads you besides still waters of spiritual refreshment? These, and these above all, our Good Shepherd provides. Therefore, regardless of what day in the week it is, two questions must be answered today. Did you feed in those pastures and lie down in them in your church this past Sabbath day? Are you with hunger and thirst looking forward to enjoying both these green pastures and that cool refreshing, still water this coming Sabbath day?

Remember that Christ is the Bread of Life and supplies us with the water of life. Our spiritual life needs Him. We need the preaching of Him. And we need to eat and drink Him with our souls. The question is whether we have an appetite for them and are faithful in seeking them.

Then, too, how often during the waking hours of the day do you find yourself in these green pastures of God's Word, and do you seek refreshment by those still waters that assure us that being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ? We need spiritual food and drink far more than the bread and water our bodies crave and enjoy.

Is it really true that Jehovah is your shepherd? Is then your Bible an open book out of which you eat and drink daily? In the measure that it is, your soul is restored. Your body may be filled with aches and pains, but your soul shall sincerely say, "I want nothing, God's Word assures me that my Shepherd cares for all my needs."

Read: Revelation 7 
Psalter versification 52:1
(Words and Music of the Psalter)

Devotions on the Heidelberg Catechism

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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Genesis 41:17-57 ; Genesis 42:1-17 
Matthew 13:24-46 
Psalm 18:1-15 
Proverbs 4:1-6 
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Quote for Reflection:

… amidst all your weakness, distresses and temptations, remember that God will not cast out nor cast off the meanest and unworthiest soul that seeks salvation only in the name of Jesus Christ the righteous.        –  A. Toplady