Relationship!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:1‭-‬3 KJV

Very popular psalm, easily committed to memory. A fundamental distinction is to know both the psalm and the Shepherd, who is the focus of the psalm. In life we need guidance. It does not matter he educated, connected or enlightened you are; life will throw you curve balls. You need an experienced guide, someone who knows what is ahead and has made adequate provision for all that you need to be all that he purposes. He does not guarantee that you will not have needs; he only promises that his presence, guidance and provision will ensure that you will not lack all that you need when you need it.

When life has beaten you black and blue and you are weary and tired, the Shepherd provides refreshment and rest. You cannot run on without rest; you will only burn out. God provides rest, and he provides refreshing. He invites you to a place in Him, where you can find rest for your soul. He says "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest".

Even when I make mistakes, he restores. He's not like man, without mercy and without grace. When I sin, he reminds me of my walk with him and gives me a contrite heart. He restores my soul. He leads my paths in righteousness.

Do I even know his will for my life? If I do not know him, how do I know who to follow? If I am asked to follow someone, it has to be someone who clearly knows the way and has been proven as a guide. If I do not know him, how would I know his will? The foundation of the Shepherd-Sheep connection is relationship. The sheep know and follow the Shepherd, and the Shepherd knows his sheep, guides, feeds and protects them.

Do you know God? Do you know his will? Does he know you as his own? His time of favour is here.