In order to get through 2024 we must know how to approach the year that we are in. I look to Psalm 23 going through the valley so we can climb the mountain in Psalm 24.

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. Another version states “the Lord is my shepherd I shall not suffer lack.” The shepherd must shear the sheep of the wool. This means the Lord will never take so much wool off of me that it will harm me, I'll always have enough left. He takes things away from them which is the wool so that they don't get caught up in the brushes and the stickers and they don't fall over. The Lord understands that we must be trimmed and dealt with for our own good.

He makes us to lie down in green pastures. The Hebrew word means to settle down. Children must take a nap and settle down for their own sake. In 2024 we must “lay down” things so our identity in Him can be “settled”.

He leads me beside Still Waters. He does not lead me besides running waters but STILL waters.

Psalm 46:10 says “Be still”…That can be hard for us this year of 2024 but God wants to still the waters inside of us. When the waters rise around us like a rushing flood we will be still waters inside our hearts and know that He is leading us and He is God.

He restores my soul. David was making reference to righting a cast sheep and a cast sheep is a sheep who HAS NOT been sheared and has so much wool, he is so heavy and strays from the flock that it will get off balance and fall upside down. He will lay there with his feet up in the air and if they stay very long upside down they suffocate to death or the gases in their stomach build up and can kill them.

Our Shepherd counts sheep and finds that a sheep that is missing and if it's a cast sheep he restores him (He ‘rights’ him)

This year God is going to right cast sheep this coming year. He knows how to restore my soul and how to “right me” and actually one translation says to return to original intent.

Maybe you've been upside down feel like you're going to die but you're going to be sheared and righted you're going to return to your original intent.

He leads me in Paths of righteousness for his name's sake

If sheep are left alone they will always find the wrong path but God is about to lead us in Paths of righteousness this year is going to be one of the most righteous years that God has ever expressed himself in and on and through his people. Become a follower. A great leader is a great follower. It is the only way you become a leader appointed by God.

I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but I will fear no evil for you are with me and your rod and your staff comfort me

Snakes crawl, horses run and sheep walk.

We are not running scared through this valley don't run sheep walk.

We will walk through 2024 through our breakthrough!

God is with you and he's not in a hurry. He's walking with you and his rod and his staff is going to comfort you

He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies

Hell is not threatened by our ministry---but by the table of fellowship with God that He sets, and WE sit at.

He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

I am completely kept safe by God at that table among those who hate me and want me dead. The most threatening weapon against the powers of darkness is fellowship with God (aka sitting with God) at his table.

He anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows

Sheep get infections in their nose in their mouth and in their eyes because of flies and the infections get so severe they get very sick, and they'll die if they're not medicated. Our Shepherd takes his oil and pours it up the nose to medicate the sheep from the poisonous flies that were left behind. He saved the Sheep's life and is detoxing the sheep from any infection.

We have a Shepherd who loves us so much that he anoints our head to save us from anything that can destroy us. Isaiah 10:27 defines the anointing as the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God.

Only then can He fill you and your cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I prefer goodness and mercy to be in front of me but this verse says “goodness and mercy are following me.” His unfailing love will chase me and it comes from the derivative of a hunter who will track down his prey. He will catch us this year no matter what we are facing in front of us, goodness and mercy are following behind us.

Nicole Welch

Website: www.adigitaldisciple.com

Latest Book: www.amzn.to/2VF3euD

Contact: info@thecocvenantcenter.com

Nicole Welch is a mental health therapist and author who founded Get Heart Media. She loves to see people set free as they learn to walk in their true identity. Her superpowers are connecting quickly, influencing deeply and seeing God move in every encounter with His people. She lives in Lakeland, Fl. with her husband of 26 years and her two beautiful children.