Psalm 23

The 23 Psalm is so refreshing to the soul, like an oasis in the desert, a place to rest and be thankful to the Lord for His goodness and mercy:


Psalm 23  A Psalm of David.

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He always provides what I need, what I want isn't always what is best for me, and He knows what I need better than I myself do.

 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

Sometimes when I'm agitated, Jesus gives me a reminder of a promise in His word to comfort me. Whenever a Bible verse comes to mind quietly, it is His voice speaking to me words of comfort and peace. Then, without my trying to calm myself down, there is a quietness that washes over me.

3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

The broken and damaged areas in my soul He restores to what He had intended for me, and He leads me in the paths of righteousness not so I can impress everyone with my holiness. He leads me in the right paths for His name's sake, so others will praise God.

 

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

We are all going to have times when we have close brushes with death, and being mortal, we all will eventually lay this mortal body down only to rise in immortality. When I go through those valleys of the shadow of death, He won't forsake me. He will be there to correct and guide me and the fact that He does correct and guide me is a comfort to me.  

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Our enemies love to taunt and ridicule us. King David also experienced that mistreatment often. His enemies thought themselves superior to David, but God would set them straight by blessing David in ways that his enemies could understand that David was special to God. He promised to treat me in that good and kind way in the presence of my enemies too. I have the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Cup "half full"? Or "half empty"? NO! It runneth over! :-)

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The goodness and mercy of God is so bountiful that it is a never ending fountain of blessing that is with me continually. Jesus promised that He went to prepare a place for us where we can be with Him for ever and ever. It will surpass anything of beauty on this fallen earth. I cannot even imagine the wonderful things God has planned.  Earthly palaces will look very beggarly by comparison to what God has in store.