Last night I went to bed knowing that I was to lead a devotional during Soul Care at 6:30 a.m. without a clue as to what God might have in mind for our time.  I normally do not make this a habit, but for the life of me I could not get a sense from God.  So, headed to bed without clear direction does not make for a great night's sleep.

The alarm went of at 5:30 without even a trace of a dream to hang on to.  By 6:15 I was headed to Soul Care knowing that God would meet us where we were.  He lead our time in Psalm 23, through John 10:1-5 then on to Zeph 3:17.   May God's Word refresh and restore your soul. 

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.
 ⁴ Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death, ^[a]
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

John 10

The Shepherd and His Flock

 ¹"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ²The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. ³The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version)

 ¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love,
       he will rejoice over you with singing."