MONDAY 

 Yahweh Roi - The Lord Is My Shepherd.

Studying the Name

For at least part of their history, the Hebrews were nomadic people who wandered from place to place seeking pasture for their herds of sheep, goats, and cattle. It was vital for shepherds to keep their animals from straying, protect them from thieves and wild animals, and provide them with plentiful pastures.

The New Testament presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who protects the lives of His sheep by forfeiting His own life. When you pray to the Lord your Shepherd, you are praying to the One who watches over you day and night, feeding you and leading you safely on the path of righteousness.

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”

Understanding the Name

Shepherding was one of the earliest human occupations. A family’s wealth was measured by how many sheep, goats, cows, horses, camels and or asses a man owned. Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David were all shepherds. A shepherds responsibility was to count each animal in order to make sure none had gone astray.

Read the first three sentences of this familiar psalm slowly, then close your eyes. Imagine that you are the sheep. What do you see? What do you feel?

What does it mean to “restore the soul”? Describe a time when you felt in need of such a restoration?

Read the fourth sentence slowly. Imagine again that you are the sheep. What do you see? What do you feel?

Why do you think the psalmist introduces the imagery of a table?

How would your experience of daily life change if you really believed that goodness and kindness would follow you all the days of your life?

TUESDAY - Praying the Name

 Reflect On: Psalm 23

Praise God: For His ability to care for you.

Offer Thanks: For the way God has been your faithful Shepherd. 

Confess: Any tendency to let fear shape your responses to life.

Ask God: To restore your world and give you peace.

WEDNESDAY - Praying the Name

 Reflect On: Isaiah 53:6-7, Revelation 7:17.

Praise God: For His mercy in calling us back to himself.

Offer Thanks: That God gave His only Son to be both the Lamb who laid down His life for us, and the Shepherd who brings us home.

Confess: Any tendency to depart from God’s ways.

Ask God: To help you keep your eyes on Him so that you will not stray.

THURSDAY - Praying the Name

 Reflect On: Isaiah 40:6-11

Praise God: Because He is gentle.

Offer Thanks: That God carries you close to His heart.

Confess: Any stubbornness that makes it difficult for God to lead you.

Ask God: To help you see your need for a Shepherd.

FRIDAY - Promises Associated with God’s Name

 "I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice." Ezekiel 34:15-16

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."

John 10:14-18

Continued Prayer and Praise

 Pray that God will bring back the lost. (Ezekiel 34).

Remember that Jesus is the gate for the sheep. (John 10:7-10).

Praise Jesus, the shepherd who will wipe away every tear from our eyes. (Revelation 7:15-17).