The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23
shep·herd - noun – a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people.
How many times have I read this passage? How many times have I said “thank you, Lord” and moved on? I don’t have an exact number…but I can assure you, it is many, many times. Today…not. so. fast. This really hit me! Right between the eyes…maybe a little lower, right in my heart!
I have a shepherd in my life. What a gift! I have someone who protects, guides and watches over me. I have someone who will lead me beside quiet (think calm, peaceful, still) waters. But I know that all the waters of my life are not quiet and calm…umm…maybe they would be if I got out of the way. Maybe they would be if I trusted more and doubted less. If I listened more and talked less. The Lord is my shepherd and I need to let him shepherd me!
Yesterday, Dianne had a lovely post. I join her in praying more diligently for the “flesh of my flesh.”
Lord, thank you for shepherding me all the days of my life. Thank you for calming the waters when the sea is rough and thank you for the times in my life when the seas were calm and you just walked beside me allowing me to bask in the peacefulness. Lord, I pray for Andy and I ask that you guide him and opens his eyes and heart to your will. Give him the courage and grace to follow you. Bless those reading this blog, bless those that are about to embark on another year of school…home or otherwise…guide them and direct them, both students and parents, give them peace and courage to do your will. Lord, I thank you for my new job and the opportunity to be a light for you in a new and different place.
Lord, thank you for shepherding me all the days of my life. Thank you for calming the waters when the sea is rough and thank you for the times in my life when the seas were calm and you just walked beside me allowing me to bask in the peacefulness. Lord, I pray for Andy and I ask that you guide him and opens his eyes and heart to your will. Give him the courage and grace to follow you. Bless those reading this blog, bless those that are about to embark on another year of school…home or otherwise…guide them and direct them, both students and parents, give them peace and courage to do your will. Lord, I thank you for my new job and the opportunity to be a light for you in a new and different place.
What about you? How many times have your read Psalm 23? What does it mean to you?
Have a blessed and peaceful day…
Wow! Mary, I am humbled that you linked to my post from yesterday. Thank you.
Concerning Psalm 23, several years ago (after I had spent a lifetime of reading Psalm 23 and thought I knew everything it said and more–smile), my Bible study teacher gave us homework to read Psalm 23 five times a day every day for a week meditatively and prayerfully.
To say I was disappointed in this assignment is kinda an understatement, but I did it anyway. I cannot tell you how blessed I was at the end of the week. Your post today spurs me on to go reread it again and read my response paper that I wrote after doing the homework. IT WAS SO ENLIGHTENING what God taught me AFTER I thought I knew everything.
Love your prayer for Andy.
Love, Dianne
Thanks so, so, much for your kind comments on my blog. LOVE your blog music…such an awesome song, that I had kind of forgotten about. THANKS!
Elizabeth
http://www.justfollowingjesus.com
This is a great reminder to Trust. I love this psalm. I discovered it again yesterday as I was looking over the daily readings. I needed to see it and read it and let it soak in. Great post.
Thanks for this, Mary.