He Will Give Us All We Need (+ This Sunday!)
Good morning, Immanuel. Catch up on the Daily and this Sunday!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps 23:1).
Sometimes it’s the familiar verses that are the most problematic. We’ve seen this verse embroidered on cushions, written in calligraphy, set against backdrops of fluffy sheep and charming meadows. But it’s a verse of defiance. At the front door of this Psalm David is asserting something precious and formidable. God is a shepherd. But that doesn’t mean we’ll have everything we want. It means we’ll lack nothing we need.
God is not promising every physical need will be met. It’s no guarantee against an accident, diagnosis, or injury today. He’s not promising every emotional need will be met. There may be mental health challenges, loneliness, and anxiety in this world. He is promising to meet our every spiritual need, lead us in his ways, and do his best for us. That will involve some dark valleys and cold shadows on the way. But the grassy uplands and still waters are ahead if we will follow him.
Today I need to pray that God won’t give me what I want, but what I need. I also need to pray that, more and more, what I want will be what I most need. It’s a lot to trust him with. But this shepherd is no stranger whose heart is hidden from us. He walks each step with us, an unfailing companion. More: he has scars and bruises; he walks with a limp, for this shepherd was willing to put himself in harm’s way to protect us, to suffer more than anything we could ever fear. There is no one we can trust more.
This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning…
WORSHIP: All are welcome to join us for worship on Sunday during our 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. as Pastor TJ continues our series in Revelation: The Light of Christ in the Life of the Church.
COMMITMENT SUNDAY: This Sunday, the 14th, marks a crucial milestone for us at Immanuel. As we near the deadline to submit an offer to purchase our church building, this is the final day to turn in commitment cards. During the service, we will have a moment to place our commitment cards in baskets. If you’ve already submitted yours or given all you can, you can write down a prayer to place in the basket. Let’s gather as a church to offer our gifts and prayers to the Lord!
Seminars (Check out the latest updates)…
9 am: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox in the Cafe (continues through the summer).
“It’s a lot to trust him with…there is no one we can trust more.”
Thank you Sam, thank you Lord.