2月26日

標　　題： 與牧者同行

經　　節： 耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。祂使我躺臥在青草地上，領我在可安歇的水邊。（詩篇廿三篇1∼2節）

像只羊一般過活，可為你帶來難以置信的心靈平靜！聖經中的牧人對他的羊瞭解透徹，他知道甚麼食物對牠們最好、甚麼東西會傷害牠們，也知道牠們甚麼時候該吃、甚麼時候該喝。牧羊人是所處自然地域的專家，他知道最佳水泉與食物的地點。只要羊群信任並跟隨牠們的牧羊人，牠們的需要總在最恰當的時刻被滿足，牠們的牧羊人一定把自己手上最好的東西給牠們。你是否完全相信你的好牧人？你是否比較看重祂賜予的滋養品，還是由世界來的養料？你是否擔心神可能會扣留不給你所需用的東西？詩人確信自己必不致缺乏，因為好牧人的本性是照顧他的羊，並且為羊捨命（約翰福音十：11）。你是否已經分心？不全心專注于牧人的身上，而關心牧人給你的東西？如果你發現自己的需要沒被滿足，不是你的牧人沒有能力，也不是你的牧人不願意給你，問題可能是你缺乏信心去接受神的賜予。你是否對神的供應不滿意？你是否已經失去擁有被牧人照顧的喜樂？回轉到祂的面前，相信惟有祂能滿足你生命一切所需。

Life with the Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalms 23:1-2)

Living like a sheep can bring you incredible peace of mind! The biblical shepherd knew everything about his sheep. He understood what foods were best for them and what would harm them. He knew when they should eat and when they needed their thirst quenched. The shepherd was an expert of the terrain and was aware of the best places for food and water. As long as the sheep trusted and followed their shepherd, they would always have their needs met at the right time. Their shepherd would give them the best that he had.

Do you have absolute trust in your Good Shepherd? Do you value the nourishment that comes from Him more than any you might obtain from the world? Do you ever worry that God might be withholding from you something that you need? The Psalmist was convinced that he would “want” for nothing. By His very nature, the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep and would lay down His life for them (John 10:11).

Have you allowed your focus to shift from the Shepherd to what the Shepherd gives you? If you find yourself “wanting,” it is not that your Shepherd is unable or unwilling to perfectly meet your needs. It may be that you lack the faith to receive all that He has to give. Could it be that you have become dissatisfied with what your Shepherd has been providing? Are you missing the joy that comes from having a Shepherd who cares for you? Return to Him and trust Him to meet the needs in your life that only He can.