Are You Looking for Provision in All the Wrong Places?
By Rick Warren (Edits by me)
Psalm 23 explains the ways God wants to show his goodness in your life. All of these benefits are available to you not because you’re good, but because God is good. When you truly understand God’s goodness as revealed in Psalm 23, it will strengthen your faith. You will be able to say:
1. God will meet all my needs; there’s no reason to worry.
2. God will help me rest and find peace.
3. God will refresh and replenish me when I am drained.
4. God will guide me to make right decisions.
5. God will be with me on my dark and fearful days.
6. God will protect me and keep me safe.
7. God will support me, even if I am surrounded by conflict.
8. God will give me his favor.
9. God will fill me with more blessing than I can imagine.
10. God will secure my future and take me to heaven one day.
When Jesus came to Earth and died for our sins on the cross, he opened the door for us to receive all the benefits of God’s goodness. That’s why we call it Good Friday. It was good for you and me! Good Friday certainly wasn’t good for Jesus. It was painful. It was torture. He willingly said, “No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will” (John 10:18 GNT). Sending the Messiah to die for you is the ultimate expression of God’s goodness.
Jesus said,“My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” (John 10:10-11 NLT).
Everybody needs what God has to offer. But are you looking for it in all the wrong places? Many people expect those 10 needs to be met by their careers, bank accounts, friendships, romantic relationships, children, or family. God is saying to you, “No, I’m it. I’m the source of all goodness in your life.”
The biggest cause of stress in your life is the lack of focusing on God’s goodness. When you choose to trust in God’s goodness, you’ll be able to face your struggles with hope and renewed faith.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
John 10:11-13 MSG “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.
Hebrews 13:18-21 MSG Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon. May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him, Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes. (emphasis mine)