Psalm 23 – a very popular and comforting passage of Scripture: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…” Ahhhhh….can you feel the comfort? The Heavenly Father gathering you in His arms? Could you use a little soul restoration about now?
Let’s keep walking through the Psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” Psalm 23:4
Wait a minute! I was just secure in the Shepherd’s care! Now I’m facing death!? “Yet You are with me;” Also Psalm 23:4. Phew! God is with us and we have nothing to fear!
Keep going: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” Psalm 23:5What a wild ride! Now I’m sitting with my enemies? Deep breath! Let’s remember just one verse back: God is with us and providing for us – even in the presence of our enemies.
Are you exhausted yet? Do you see why we can’t focus on our emotions or our circumstances? All throughout this Psalm (and many others) the writer teeters back and forth between faith and doubt, fear and hope. Can you relate? Regardless of your circumstances, seek the Lord first, most and only!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
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