Psalm 23
The Lord in my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He has plans for me and my family. He is always prepared. We have all we need.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He provides peace and rest. "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 I rest in the knowledge that He is providing.
He leads me beside the still waters.
He knows my limitations. He does not belittle me. He will not endanger me. He does not force me beyond my strength and abilities. He knows how to nourish and refresh me.
He restores my soul;
After life squeezes the juice out of me, leaving only the pulp, I feel no enthusiasm. But Genesis 2:7 tells me He breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life and he became a living soul. So now too, God is still willing to breathe new life and breath into my soul. I was lost, but now I'm found. I become frustrated, but He gives me peace.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
I am like a sheep with no internal compass, my vision is limited, and I am defenseless. But like the shepherd, He knows the way. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
He alone is found to be true, therefore He is the way, which in turn preserves my life.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me;
I become caught up in fear, uncertainty, disappointment, and rejection. But these deathly shadows do not last long! "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. In these times, if I stop and think of His glory and power, I realize I have nothing to fear. Uncertainty evaporates. Disappointment is crushed by my Rock. And any rejection is healed by the knowledge that Jesus was rejected by the proud. So I see my children and am reminded what Jesus said, "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Jesus is my protector (rod), and my rescuer (staff). The business of a shepherd sometimes called for heroic efforts to protect and save his sheep. The dedication of my Shepherd instills great confidence in me. "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper" Psalm 121: 3-5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
He provides for me despite the multitude of dangers surrounding me. The table is spread and everything I need is provided for me as though I were royalty. How comforting and humbling is that?!
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
One of the things we can expect is that we will be battered around in this life. We can expect to suffer along with Him, 1 Peter 4:13. These are times when the Shepherd attends to each one of us on a personal basis. Our personal physician. If I keep my eyes and faith in the Proven One, I will find healing.
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:14, 15
"...and He calls His sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:3
He revives me with abundant refreshment. I am known, precious, and worthy.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
Despite all the uncertainty and insanity, I am assured I am precious (Mat.10:31), that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). Nothing can separate us from the love of God and our gift of salvation (Rom. 8:31-39).
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
There's no place like home.
