I KNOW THE SHEPHERD

There was once a Shakespearean actor
who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings
and recitations from the classics.
He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23.

Each night, without exception,
as the actor began his recitation -
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want".
The crowd would listen attentively.

And then, at the conclusion of the Psalm,
they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation
of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night,
just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23,
a young man from the audience spoke up.

"Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?"

The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request,
but he allowed the young man to come forward
and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm,

knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth
would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm.

When he was finished, there was no applause.

There was no standing ovation as on other nights.

All that could be heard was the sound of weeping.

The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation
that every eye was full of tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth,

"I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years.
I have a lifetime of experience and training -
but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight.
Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man quietly replied,

"Well sir, you know the Psalm...

I know the Shepherd."

Author Unknown

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Be encouraged to spend time alone with the Lord everyday
both in prayer and in reading His Word.
 
In order for us to know the leading of the Lord for our life,
we need to be in communion with Him
and allow His Spirit to speak to our spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19  * 2 Timothy 2:15 * Romans 8:14-17

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7

 "Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him
while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:6-7

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the
sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified
together."
Romans 8:14-17

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His Glory, to be
strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may
dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:14-19