Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me Why? (Psalm 23:2-3) The Lord brings me rest, peace and refreshment. When the Bible was written, many people were shepherds. We will starve to death spiritually if we stay behind in a worn out pasture. In order to fight anxiety, I committed Psalm 23:6 to memorization. They can be dangerous places. David writes, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.". These posts are inspired by W. Philip Keller's book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. He helps me to be still in His presence so that He can bring peace and refreshment to my soul. Josephs brothers were tending the sheep when Jacob sent Joseph out to find them. (SEE DANIEL CHAPTER 13 FOR HER STORY.). Gods personal name affirms the unbreakable promises he has made to his beloved people. rest. Under his care, we will be comforted. Thank you for your goodness and love that follows after us, chases us, even when were unaware. Valleys can be beautiful. The Lord is gentle in his leading of his flock. In these times, I believe God is Devotional Reflections from the Bible includes free Bible devotions for Women, Teens, Children, and more. 23:1b). Enter the Psalm: Some animals wont go anywhere unless you drive themthat means you have to get behind the herd and force it to go in a certain direction. He writes at tomsugi.com, ministers the gospel at New Life Church, and hosts the Every Peoples Podcast. Our Good Shepherd takes us into his arms andcarriesus. forever. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. And he is enough. of I may be What a Savior and Shepherd! Surely, the Good Shepherds plans are good. We even know who some of them were. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 23:2b). soul today. Jesus also said that he was a shepherdthe Good Shepherd. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. healing, restoration and The Lord provides strength for my weary heart and enables me to walk forward on my journey. 6 Female Celebrities Who Openly Follow Christ, Steven Furtick's Elevation Church Leaves the SBC, Moms, You Have Permission to Invest in Yourselves, A Prayer to Watch How We Live - Your Daily Prayer - July 5, 5 Signs Your Church Might Be Heading toward Progressive Christianity. "He makes me lie down in. The Lord providesstrength for my weary heart and enables me to walk forward on my journey. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (Click on the psalm if you would like to see other translations of these verses) "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Discovering Joy in Suffering: 1 Peter 2:19-25 Explained. He leads me beside still waters. Yahweh then delivered his covenant people from Egypt and prepared for them a table in the presence of their enemies. Gods Restoration Comes in Unexpected Ways. He restores my soul; However, as his sheep and as followers of Christ, we are not guaranteed immunity from the knocks of life and the problems of living in a flawed world, but we can claim a Shepherd who will provide all our needs. My old nature has been buried with Christ, and my new nature has been made alive by the anointing and power of Jesus Christ. . He truly felt as though he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death as he was pursued by his enemies who sought to kill him. A feature story exploring the importance of the Psalms. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." He helps me to be still in His presence so that He can bring peace and refreshment to my soul. I used to think I wasnt a person who worried about much. Take turns describing what you see in your mind when you hear words like shepherd or green pastures. Keep going until everyone has had a turn to speak or until you talk about all the pictures. I will fear no evil, Our Lord soothes us whenever conflict hinders our relationships with other sheep or the worries of life plague his stubborn flock. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The 23rd Psalms was one of the first passage of scripture I remember learning as a child. Thats a pretty good picture of how God cares for us, isnt it? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What do you need this coming week? Find your own name. comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and It says that God is with us when we are. He receives the soothing oil of spiritual refreshment and the cup of wine to quench his thirst (104:15). The key thought is this: Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall lack nothing! The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Psalm 23 is one of those places. This short devotional is from Psalm 23:1-3. The theme of Gods shepherding care runs throughout Psalm 23. Take out your church directory or some other list or schedule that has your name and other names on it. David begins by meditating on Yahweh as the covenant God of Israel: The LORD is my shepherd (v. 1a). The LORD is my shepherd; As a king, David honors his important guests, yet here he is a guest in the house of his God. Devotional: A closer look at what Psalm 23 tells us Psalms for Families, by Robert J. Keeley and Laura Keeley, is a devotional book for the entire family designed to help parents explore the riches of the book of Psalms with their children and teens. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. Truly, the lines have fallen in pleasant places for us. A REFLECTION OF PSALM 23. As we meditate on this psalm, we can ask God to reveal Himself to us in new and deeper ways. We have. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23:4). And you cansubscribe to myLove is Stronger Than Fearpodcaston your favorite podcast platforms. Psalm 23 might be so well-known because it offers us comfort and talks about how God protects us. Jacob took care of his father-in-laws sheep. The shepherd provides everything we need: food, water, protection, and shelter. Yet there was once a time when even that was not enough. God knows us and he knows what we need. We would probably describe Him as holy, and righteous. Its for his names sake that he does so. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The Lord anoints me and sets me apart for service to Him. "The Lord is My Shepherd" Prayer - A Prayer from Psalm 23By Debbie McDaniel, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Only now as I have gotten older has it really taken on more depth of meaning to me. I want to feast on His word!!!! As long as I am walking in the ways of the Lord, his authority and protection abide with me. Reflections of Psalm 23 Join me in a 12 part series, reflecting on the verses of Psalm 23. A plenary address presented by N.T. He had led me to memorize that verse and would continue to lead me as I walked the dreaded path of recurrent pregnancy loss. Reflection on Psalm 23: God's Goodness in Suffering Brittany Allen With tears in my eyes, I read the lyrics to the worship song on the screen: Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Is there a more beautiful passage in the Bible than the 23rdPsalm? (Psalm 23:6b). Praying the Psalms: Personal, Pastoral, Theological and Liturgical Reflections (relief and ease and refreshment and You Are Here: Home Barbie, Blog, Devotional Reflections From Psalm 23. Calvin Seerveld says that Christians take the Psalms for granted. Psalm 23 What does it mean for God to be my shepherd? nothing is happeninga spiritual Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. All rights reserved. souls. He would die for the sins of many and become like a lamb himself that is led to the slaughter. He would stay silent before his accusers and trust his Father to the point of death. Devotional Bible Study: He Restores My Soul | Psalm 23:1-3. The Lord provides abundant blessings to me, too many to count! He knows the greenest pastures and makes us lie down whenever our fears keep us up at night or the flies of negative thinking buzz about our heads (v. 2a). Psalm 23 Reflection, Devotion, and Prayer - Devotional Christian document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Website by FRW Design and photo credits by Chris Cappozziello, Philip Dutton. It's often used as a reading at funerals - it was even read at Whitney Houston's memorial. (Psalm 23:2-3). Because sheep do not have claws or teeth to protect themselves, he protects them from other animals that want to eat them. not give up! 51). Thank you that you restore our souls, give us peace, and bring us hope in all of our tomorrows. [I will ease and relieve and refresh Have you ever been on a vacation to a place that has beautiful valleys? likened to a desert. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows." Required fields are marked *. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Psalm 23 A psalm of David. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The Lord is My Shepherd, I Lack Nothing - What do you lack? This is such an encouraging post! I am glad you are here. The Lord Is My Shepherd: A Reflection on Psalm 23 | GCD "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. borne. He makes me lie down in green pastures gives us a picture of rest and assurance. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3, He leads me beside still waters. your rod and your staff, 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. It describes the time to come which we will all experience. Why do you think it is so well-known? Your shepherd's rod and staff comfort me. Without a shepherd, the sheep would not last long in the wilderness. To Print Devotional: highlight devotional, then right click and select "print", or: By using this devotional, you signify that you have read & agreed to my 'Terms Of Use', 'Christian Poem: Refreshment For Our Souls'. There are places in Scripture that are powerful, so deep, that to recite them is to experience them. Look at all the other names. (Psalm 23:4) Fix your eyes on Jesus, your Good Shepherd. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. Truthfully, even when our circumstances look grim, our Good Shepherd is near. (Psalm 23:1-2). Lenten Reflection | Psalm 23 - Amy Julia Becker Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. ( Psalm 23:1-6) Consider all the terrain in the journey. It was one of many passages I sought to fill my mind with, but it was the one I continued to come back to. If you are searching to find a way to start reading the Bible, seeCreating A Simple Bible Reading Plan for some ideas. Good Shepherd,Your presence in our lives gives us great comfort. 53:67). Psalm 23 is a wonderful passage for reflection, devotion, and prayer. (616) 526-6088 worship@calvin.edu, On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, See our related website, Zeteo Preaching and Worship. This Psalm is often read at 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Not only does he give us strength to endure trials, he comforts usas we facethem. for you are with me; (Psalm 23:4a). Enter the Psalm: Talk together about some of the valleys in your life. He guides me in right paths for his names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. This verse speaks to the reality of suffering and hardship in life. 6:11) and leads us beside still waters (Ps. Psalm 23 Reflection - A Devotional by Kathy Cheek Published July 23, 2021 Psalm 23 Reflection Is there a more beautiful passage in the Bible than the 23rdPsalm ? Devotional Book | On the Way: Walking With Jesus Through the Season of Lent. Nothing could steal his salvationnot even death. DO I REALLY NOT WANT FOR ANYTHING IN MY LIFE OR DO I STILL WANT AND NOT ACCEPT/EMBRACE THAT GOD IS EVERYTHING I NEED? Campuses in Arlington Heights, Barrington, Itasca, Marengo, Northfield, and Vernon Hills. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; The Lord has given me the necessary tools to live a Godly life. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is the valley of deep darkness. Brittany Allen is a follower of Christ, wife to James, and Momma to three in Heaven. Pick out five names and write these names on a slip of paper and put them on your refrigerator. This psalm reminds us of that life-long comfort. For you have delivered my soul from death, King David knew this by experience, for as a boy he cared for sheep in all kinds of weather, defending them against the lion and the bear (1 Sam. He is the only One who can take us by the hand through life's darkest moments of suffering, bringing freedom and healing from the pain of this life, straight into glory and the hope of heaven that He has reserved for us. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. She longs to help other women see Jesus as their ultimate Treasure. Always. I will have trials, but if I feast on His word, and learn to be still in His presence, it makes walking through those times much easier. When we face our greatest fears or most gut-wrenching trials, we can cast our anxieties upon him, knowing he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). 6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In the Valley of Shadow: A Reflection on Psalm 23, "The Lord Is My MY CUP OVERFLOWS BECAUSE GOD OVERFLOWS IT WITH ONLY GOOD THINGS. Since we are his spiritual sheep, Jesus, our Shepherd, can take away from usfear, the tension between and among each other, the aggravations of things that bug us, and he can satisfy the hunger that we have for heavenly things. Copyright My goal is to provide practical ideas and encouragement to help you as a mom nurture your Catholic faith so you may live with more joy and peace. The Lord cares for and watches over me, and provides all that I need. The Lords authority over my life brings protection and comfort. The sheep know his voice and follow where he leads. complete rest and refreshment for our This should bring the Christian deep peace and comfort, even as we face grief, suffering, and the challenges of this sin-tainted world. - Matthew 11: 28-30 (AMP). refreshedWith your life-giving waters, For, he is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). The Lord guides me into righteousness so that my life will glorify Him. We can be assured, He chases us today, and all our days, with His goodness and love. Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life I came so they could have lifeso they could live life to the fullest (John 10 :10, 14: 6 CEB). In observance of the Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday of the Easter season, Michael Hawn, professor emeritus of church music at Southern Methodist University, shares his ten favorite hymns on Psalm 23. Welcome! Here is the way the theme of Psalm 23 is played out in the balance of David's famous song: (lowly) in heart, and Instead, we claim like David, Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (23:4c). May Jehovak Jireh, your provider and minesupply all your needs out of His riches in glorywhere we shall one day dwell with Him forever. 3:14). restored. all the days of my life, (Psalm 23:6a). Twenty Three: Reflections Inspired by Psalm 23 The rod was a wooden cudgel the shepherd hurled at wild beasts (e.g., 1 Sam. Sometimes, we wrestle with believing that Gods plans are good. Yet often we can become so familiar with popular verses and chapters of Gods word, that they can almost lose the important message that He is wanting to instill within our hearts. Used by permission of NavPress. Though surrounded by his enemies, David is a friend at the Lords banqueting table. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. We will continue our examination of this encouraging psalm next week. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. If you feel as though you're in a Psalm 23 reminds us that even in the darkest valleys, we can find hope and peace in God. Today's Lenten reflection on Psalm 23 is about exactly thatoffering our fears and anxious thoughts and concerns to God, receiving God's presence, and being sent forth into the world in peace. Pray especially for people who are in a valley right now. In each and every verse, the Lord and I are together. The book also includes 13 heartfelt stories from from women and men about what the psalm has meant to them in their spiritual journey. It doesn't mean that we won't ever face huge battles, but that He covers us with His Spirit of anointing and power, to live out our days with His strength and blessing. Because God is such a good shepherd for us, we dont need anything else. He restores our soul.. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. There is such a closeness in the image of the Lord as my Shepherd. you anoint my head with oil; (Psalm 23:5b). He restores my soul. In verses 1-4, David compares God to a shepherd, and in verses 5-6 he likens God to a gracious host. Thank you for your leadership and Sovereignty. Months before, when my husband decided it was time for a family, fear entangled my thoughts. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. refreshment, In the city where we live, lots of people work in the automotive industry making parts for cars and trucks. For his own name's sake. Like a wise shepherd who tosses stones in the river to slow its current, our Lord ministers life-giving water at a pace we each can handle. It brings me comfort in my greatest times of need, and reminds me of the care and protection of my Good Shepherd. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I felt the importance of the truth hidden in this verse. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want It is all about how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, takes loving care of us. Psalm 23 | A Reflection on Coronavirus, the Bible, and Our Response King David knew this by experience, for as a boy he cared for sheep in all kinds of weather, defending them against the lion and the bear ( 1 Sam. Some people in your community may do the same kind of work, or maybe theyre farmers, chemists, builders, or other things. A feature story exploring the importance of the Psalms. His grace is without limit. The fourth verse of Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well-known. This website operates entirely on generous donations from every day people like you and me. When I am close to him, all the worldly cares fall off. green pastures. and I shall dwellin the house of the Lord you will find rest Israels rugged terrain made it necessary to travel down steep-sided valleys cast in darkness. 77:20). Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a42ab9fc61a0404e3dfad6f24725d12c" );document.getElementById("ff2d3d6e5e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hello and welcome! 19:7a). "He I was reminded of Jesus and how he was anointed for burial. The Shepherd's Care for His Sheep - In Touch Ministries Twenty Three is a three-week devotional offering insights and applications for the beloved passage. One of the poetic devices sometimes used in the psalms is putting the most important line in the exact middle of the psalm. The Lord provides a place for me to dwell with him forever! This is whyhe could boldly proclaim that his cup overflows. His portion was Christ. David further exults, He restores my soul (Ps. all the more. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Many Christians memorize this psalm. For sheep, though, valleys are more than just pretty pictures. It makes us feel good to know that God is always with us. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23 is clearly meant to be what it has been for generations: a psalm of comfort. The Lord is my Shepherd implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a person and the Creator and Savior. , REMEMBER THIS! It can be a source of comfort and encouragement during times of struggle, and a reminder of God's love and care during times of blessing. We can get in that condition also. But now, we were stepping into a new world and I was bracing myself. The idea of lying down in green pastures and being led beside still waters is a powerful metaphor for the rest and refreshment that God provides for our souls. No uncertainty should frighten me. Even though there are probably no predators waiting to attack us from behind rocks, we know what it means to be scared. To return to the 'Women's Devotionals' index page, click on the 'back' button below. We know what it means to feel like the whole world is against us. Soif the Lord is my Shepherd, then I shall not want. There is nothing that is lacking in my life and nothing that I desire that he cannot provide within his will and within his time table. and The Lord provides a feast for me, even in the presence of my enemies. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. My cup runs over. LordFlow down on me, refreshing streamsSo Moses had taken his staff to confront the enemy king: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness (Exod. We must trust him to go before us and scout out enemies or identify hazards. We all once strayed as stupid, helpless, dirty sheep who were destined for the slaughter. In this article, we will explore the various themes and messages of Psalm 23 and how they can impact our daily walk with God. Loved reading your thoughts. BE COURAGEOUS BECAUSE OF THAT. Yet Davidthe shepherd king of Israelknew he was cared for by an even greater Shepherd. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Maybe the word downcast describes our despair, discouragementand our helplessness as we wander away from God and get into serious trouble. 17:34, 37 ). The words He restores my soul indicate that even in the wonderful care of our Shepherd, the still waterand the green pastures, there are times when we will need to be restored, repairedand renewed. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A shepherd doesnt just watch sheep, he cares for his sheep. He refuses to stray from the ever-present God who loves him with a steadfast love. The Lord is close to me in the lowest of times, and I need not fear. 36:2236). It's often referred to as the Shepherd's psalm. The fearful find comfort. As we walk through life, God is shaping us into his likenessthe most gracious thing he could do. We will all find Gods immeasurable goodness and mercy. He even carries us. 13:20). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Gods flock will dwell forever with the Lamb who reigns as Shepherd King and celebrate around his banqueting table (19:9b). Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A Helpful Resource. Understanding the relationship between the shepherd and his flock brings this Psalm to life. Psalm 23 is a beautiful reminder of God's love for us. If you want a resource to help you ive into this beautiful Psalm even more deeply, A Shepard Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller is a great commentary that dives into the meaning of the Psalm from the perspective of how a shepherd takes care of his sheep. Psalm 23 is probably the best-known of all the psalms. Find more by Debbie at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, Facebook, or Twitter.