Hey All,
I am not sure if it was from my Mom, confirmation, or that I just liked Psalm 23 but throughout the years it is one of the Psalms that I have memorized and often recall. David wrote many of the Psalms, and if we take time to squeeze a Psalm into our reading regiment, it can be uplifting. Let’s look at this Psalm in depth and pray in the Psalms.
Psalm 23: 1 the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. When I think about this verse it reminds me of the nature of a shepherd. A shepherd takes care of every aspect of a sheep’s life: food, water, shelter, protection from predators, etc.. John reminds us in John 10:27-28 that My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one snatch them out of My hand. Now between these two verses I am uplifted that God is taking care of every aspect of my life and when He is taking care of me I am protected on all sides.
Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. This is an area I struggle in greatly….REST! Yet we are reminded that “we” being God’s sheep, not only need to eat in the green pastures but lay down and rest. I always think of a clear spring or fall day when the temperature is just cool enough that the sun warms you to a perfect temperature as you are outside. As many of you know, I find peace outdoors listening to the wind, the birds and trees as we are just quiet before the Lord. These times allow us to free our mind of everyday concerns and just enjoy the beauty that God has created.
Psalm 23:3 He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. As our souls are restored we can have greater focus on the Lord, and when we do so the Holy Spirit will move us to God’s plan. Paul says in Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Our lives should glorify God and our actions should reveal the true Spirit that lives in us.
Psalm 23:4-5 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear not evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. How many times do we feel we are in a bad place? Going through a horrible time at work, at school, or just life in general. David reminds us that the shepherd knows the way! He’s already got a path chosen to keep us safe. Because of this we need not to worry about anything but just follow where we are being led! Do we need correction at times to keep from going astray? Yes, and that is why the shepherd has a rod and a staff. To correct us and protect us. Rather than being afraid of these things we find protection and comfort in the Father.
Psalm 23:5 You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. When I think of this passage, I am reminded of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that each of us has from baptism or accepting Christ as our savior. What joy this should being us when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us for the glory of God. These blessings should overflow to all we come in contact with as we grow in Christ.
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We ask God to be merciful upon us as we dwell in His house for we are in need of grace daily.
So to Wrap up
We can pick any Psalm and meditate and pray on two questions: What is God saying to me and How can it impact my life? Hebrews 10:35-36 says, Therefore do not throw away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.. As we pray we need to be Bold or Confident that we have a God that is all powerful and will protect us as we do His will! When we go through those “valleys of the shadow of death” we must have Endurance to persevere as God stretches us and grows us to be a stronger disciple! Amen? AMEN!
image sourced from google images
Amen! Love the reminder to rest and know HE already has the path for us!!
Thanks Karl!
Man – especially with passages that we’re so familiar with, it can become easy to read them and just think “Yeah, yeah, I already know all of this.” It’s great to focus on each individual sentence, to really think about it, connect it to other things God has said, and ask God what He wants us to hear, just as you’ve done here. These things shouldn’t get old and dry. We should be filled with wonder each time we read God’s word. This is a great way to not let things stagnate, and to really listen.