No matter where my journey takes me in life, Psalm 23 has been a constant companion. We can also use Psalm 23 as a guide for prayer, thanking God for His provision, protection, and guidance in our lives. My daughters marriage has just come to a horrible end,,,,,and she is in mission in Thailand,,,,so hard.. so thank you. Blessed Catholic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. BE COURAGEOUS BECAUSE OF THAT. It was one of many passages I sought to fill my mind with, but it was the one I continued to come back to. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. v.1 -He leads us, He guides us, He's always with us, and we can be assured and feel safe under His protective care. It's often used as a reading at funerals - it was even read at Whitney Houston's memorial. We can be assured, however, that our Shepherd will lead us in the right path. "The Lord is My Shepherd" Prayer - A Prayer from Psalm 23By Debbie McDaniel, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. With rod and staff, our Shepherd leads us, protecting us from our enemies and often from ourselves. The Lord is my shepherd - I want for nothing. (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. In You alone is rest and peace. 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). He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Jacob took care of his father-in-laws sheep. Truly, the lines have fallen in pleasant places for us. 26:31). In Great Smokey Mountain National Park we saw some wonderful mountains and valleys. Reflections From Psalm 23 | 5 Minutes for Faith The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Because sheep do not have claws or teeth to protect themselves, he protects them from other animals that want to eat them. Unless otherwise specified, content on this website is licensed as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0. souls. Nothing could steal his salvationnot even death. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a42ab9fc61a0404e3dfad6f24725d12c" );document.getElementById("ff2d3d6e5e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hello and welcome! 19:7a). He makes me lie down in green pastures. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me. 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. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The image of God as our shepherd is a powerful one, conveying love, protection, guidance, and provision. . A feature story exploring the importance of the Psalms. And you cansubscribe to myLove is Stronger Than Fearpodcaston your favorite podcast platforms. If you enjoyed this Lenten reflection on Psalm 23, theres more: If you havent already, pleasesubscribeto receive regular updates and news. Psalm 23 A psalm of David. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of 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? He will be with us tomorrow. It says that God is with us when we are. (Psalm 23:4). Thank you for your protection and strength that surrounds us like a shield. for his names sake. v. 4 - Though life is uncertain and we may suffer with illness, loss, or pain, our God of comfort, our Lord who holds all power over death and disease walks with us. His grace is without limit. Likewise, our Good Shepherd seeks us when we lose our way (Luke 15:47) and revives his fallen sheep to life (Ps. Psalm 23 is one of those places. This is the opinion of the Rev. The riches of each phrase wrap around my heart like a cool fresh breeze after a long hot afternoon. And even at the end of all our days here on this earth, He still has more in store, and it's greater than we could ever imagine. Praying the Psalms: Personal, Pastoral, Theological and Liturgical Reflections, Michael Hawn: Ten Favorite Hymns on Psalm 23, Voicing God's Psalms: How to hear God talking, live, to anyone who will listen. A Bible Devotion from Psalm 22, The Kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations. 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. Notice that this psalm does not say that we will never be in danger or never be scared. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Centuries before Jesus ever walked the earth, Scripture foretold that the Good Shepherd would be struck on behalf of his wayward sheep (Zech. Yet there was once a time when even that was not enough. You are with me. 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). , REMEMBER THIS! But in all realitythese verses can provide comfort for our everyday living and support for our daily faith journey. He will see us through. Psalm 121:1, NKJV These devotions originally appeared in my Daily Bible Devotions which is a free blog written for Christians to encourage a time of Bible reading, meditation, and prayer each day. Amen. 17:35), while the staff was a crooked walking stick to pry sheep loose from thickets, nudge them along the narrow paths, push aside any thorny branches, or drive off venomous snakes. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Wright at the 2012 Calvin Symposium on Worship. Maybe the word downcast describes our despair, discouragementand our helplessness as we wander away from God and get into serious trouble. Did you recognize the words? Forever. Psalm 74:1-2 and 18-23, KJV. Even though there are probably no predators waiting to attack us from behind rocks, we know what it means to be scared. A Bible Reading Plan for Beginners: 3 Different Ways You Can Read the Bible in Just 15 Minutes a Day, Good Catholic Books to Read: Improve Your Prayer Life, What to do When Your Child Leaves the Catholic Faith. working in us If you like, you can visit Heavens Inspirations over on Facebook. It is Jesus who leads us into new pastures with abundance of food and opportunities. He forgives our sin and returns us to the fold (Prov. It's often referred to as the Shepherd's psalm. This table in the wilderness also refers back to Gods faithfulness in the exodus when Moses, another shepherd, led his people out of Egypt. Thank you for sharing Blessed Catholic Mom with others. Making the connection between God and a shepherd was easy for them because they knew what shepherds were like. My cup is always full. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In a world that is constantly moving and demanding our attention, it can be easy to neglect our spiritual needs. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows." He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth (Isa. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. If God is good, why is there evil and suffering? David begins by meditating on Yahweh as the covenant God of Israel: The LORD is my shepherd (v. 1a). - Matthew 11: 28-30 (AMP). Editors Note: Go deeper with one of the most beloved portions of Scripture in Pastor Colin Smiths sermon series on Psalm 23 titled, The Lord is My Shepherd. I pray that they will minister to your heart in your time of need. living our faith Thank you for sharing Blessed Catholic Mom with others. "I have all that I need.". For his own name's sake. Psalm 23 reminds us that even in the darkest valleys, we can find hope and peace in God. As Isaiah prophesied, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turnedevery oneto his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. you anoint my head with oil; (Psalm 23:5b). Yet our Good Shepherd became a Lamb who died for us to make us honored guests in his eternal kingdom. The Lord brings me rest, peace and refreshment. (Isaiah 40:11). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We will starve to death spiritually if we stay behind in a worn out pasture. Our Good Shepherd then honors the faith-filled life as David proclaims him to be a Gracious Host: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Ps. What a King! When it rains a lot, valleys can fill up with water quicklythats called a flash floodand the sheep could be in danger if theyre in the valley when that happens. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Pray especially for people who are in a valley right now. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". I will fear no evil; Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. 5:1). Gods personal name affirms the unbreakable promises he has made to his beloved people. It's such a beautiful description These cookies do not store any personal information. Devotional Reflections (V: 4). 3:14). If you feel as though you're in a As one scholar said, "The psalm itself is green pasture; the psalm itself is still water; the psalm itself restores my soul." Hear it again in the joyous voice of a . He receives the soothing oil of spiritual refreshment and the cup of wine to quench his thirst (104:15). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why? "He makes me lie down in. refreshment, I want to feast on His word!!!! We are often most aware of our Shepherds presence in the valley of deaths shadow (46:1), as the very God who made this world now walks along beside us. Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd. and I shall dwellin the house of the Lord 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. 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. In this article, we will explore the various themes and messages of Psalm 23 and how they can impact our daily walk with God. for you are with me; (Psalm 23:4a). The Valley We Would Not Choose | Desiring God No, hes very near to us, strengthening us in each moment. As we walk with Him, we can trust that He will provide for our needs, protect us from harm, and guide us on the path of righteousness. 2 Daily Devotional | The Lord Is My Shepherd July 1, 2021 | Psalm 23 Devotions According to one Bible app, the most popular verse of 2020 was Isaiah 41:10: "Do not fear, for I am with you." In 2019, it was Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything." Are we following His guidance and provision? (Psalm 23:2-3). I am glad you are here. Psalm 50:1-4 and 16-21, NKJV. Stepping into the depths of its treasure is a gift to the soul every time we read these six intricate verses. Thank you that we never have to fear. He urges believers to fall in love again with the Psalter. He wants to glorify himself through transforming us. By Amanda Collins One of the most popular psalms in the Bible is Psalm 23 written by King David. A Reflection of Psalm 23, Day One A Reflection of Psalm 23, Day Two Your goodness and your love are with us as long as we live. It is in another psalm where we find the words, Be still and know that I am God. God is found in the still waters.. As I live among the Navajo, I was blessed to have a shepherdess in the study with us. Use a time of silence to thank God for being with us in these valleys and then ask God to comfort us in those times. When asked who God is, we would be quick to say that God is love. The Lord anoints me and sets me apart for service to Him. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Love you. Devotional Bible Study: He Restores My Soul | Psalm 23:1-3. It is definitely in a category all its own and has always been a favorite of mine. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Lord is gentle in his leading of his flock. "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." Psalm 23 reminds us that we are not alone in this world, and that God is actively involved in our lives, leading us and caring for us. souls. We have that same tendency. No uncertainty should frighten me. Sheep are creatures of habit with a tendency to go the same way to the same pastures until the pastures are worn out leaving nothing to eat. Click the button below! Thank you for your guidance and care in all our days. This book contains four devotionals on each of our selected psalms as well as notes for adults that provide additional information and background. This Psalm is often read at Furthermore, his paths are paths of righteousness. God knows best and only leads us down paths which work out for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28). And we can rest in the knowledge that God is our shepherd, and that we shall not want. He restores my soul; Our Lord soothes us whenever conflict hinders our relationships with other sheep or the worries of life plague his stubborn flock. Find your own name. 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. 23:3a). Do we trust that He has our best interests at heart? Enter the Psalm: Take a moment to go through this list of pictures that you just read. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. The Lord provides abundant blessings to me, too many to count! It's really a Psalm that should be read in its entirety, but I have just reproduced the beginning and then the last few verses. Another translation replaces the word surely in verse six with only.Onlygoodness and mercy shall follow meallthe days of my life. This is such an encouraging post! The Lord has given me the necessary tools to live a Godly life. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the lost one. He shepherds us and cares for us more than we could ever imagine. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. Just saying the first line reminds us of the entire psalm. Surelygoodness and mercyshall follow me Hes with us and promised never to leave. likened to a desert. In the wake of our first miscarriage, I was fighting to believe the truth of those words. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When those lyrics appeared before me that day, I was left in awe of the Good Shepherd who leads us. Jesus also said that he was a shepherdthe Good Shepherd. (Psalm 23:6b). One of the poetic devices sometimes used in the psalms is putting the most important line in the exact middle of the psalm. These words bring such a presence of God into any such situation. Sometimes the green pastures dont look so green,do they? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The Lord Is My Shepherd Sheep are unattractive creatures. The LORD is my shepherd; Enter the Psalm: Talk together about some of the valleys in your life. As we meditate on this psalm, we can ask God to reveal Himself to us in new and deeper ways. I pray you will find it in the words of this beloved Psalm. The Lord provides a feast for me, even in the presence of my enemies. I didn't open my lips to sing them for fear of what sorrowful sound might leap from my mouth. Sheep arent like that. Yet the God who loves us will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. God knows us and he knows what we need. Gods covenant name links his people from generations past to generations future. Forever. They share a meal, there is anointing, and the guests cup is full to overflowing. I explain this method in more detail in the post: A Bible Reading Plan for Beginners: 3 Different Ways You Can Read the Bible in Just 15 Minutes a Day. Psalm 74 is a Psalm of contemplation written by Asaph. Thank you that you are our good Shepherd and we can trust you with our lives. 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. Sometimes, we wrestle with believing that Gods plans are good. THIS (NO FEAR IN THE DARK) BECAUSE OF THAT (GOD IS AT MY SIDE AND GIVES ME COURAGE). And the waterstheyre certainly not still. When we say, The Lord is my shepherd we are also saying that we are Gods sheep. (Psalm 23:1) "Father, thank You for being my Shepherd, the One who leads my life. Jesus is Always There! In these times, I believe God is The thirsty are quenched. A time when we Gods flock will dwell forever with the Lamb who reigns as Shepherd King and celebrate around his banqueting table (19:9b). 1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. In England the shepherds term for this condition is casting. A cast sheep will lie for days and even sometimes die on its back if it doesnt get help. 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. For sheep and shepherds, valleys can be places of death. (It could be a soccer schedule, a class list, or something else.) My Shepherd is With Me, Reflections on Psalm 23 I often dont realize it, and tend to look at life as though my cup is half empty. In suffering, we may lose much, but we gain much more. When I gave my life to Christ, I became dead to my old nature, and alive again in Him. (Psalm 23:4) Therefore, when the writer begins The Lord is my shepherd, he may be putting emphasis on the word my, stating that even though there are many shepherd-kings in the region, the Lord is his shepherd. (Psalm 23:2-3). The shepherd isnt just some hired hand; he knows his sheep and his sheep know him. This is the valley of deep darkness. Psalm 23 is not the only passage in the Bible that compares the Lord to a shepherd. These posts are inspired by W. Philip Keller's book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Verses 5 and 6, for example, evoke images of a king receiving an honored guest, someone with whom he is making a covenant. Article Images Copyright , Banish the Unofficial Luggage of Foster Care, "The Lord is My Shepherd Prayer" - Praying Psalm 23 - Your Daily Prayer - June 9, 10 Things You Should Never Say to Your Wife, How God Fills in the Gaps for Homeschool Moms, 7 Surprising Habits for Joyful Spiritual Growth, Mimi's Place: Learning the Rules of Being a Grandmother, A Prayer for Discerning God's Directions - Your Daily Prayer - July 9, A Prayer to Submit to God's Will - Your Daily Prayer - July 8, A Prayer to Know You Are More Than a Pawn - Your Daily Prayer - July 7, A Prayer for Strength to Defend the Faith - Your Daily Prayer - July 6, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Read more , Voicing God's Psalms: How to hear God talking, live, to anyone who will listen The 23rd Psalm is used to provide comfort to those in difficulty. Tagged: Shepherding, comfort, provision, protection, belonging, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Lord Is My Shepherd: A Reflection on Psalm 23, Do You Doubt the Resurrection? The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (616) 526-6088 worship@calvin.edu, On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, See our related website, Zeteo Preaching and Worship. But he took comfort in this: regardless of his earthly circumstances, he would dwell in the house of the Lord for all eternity. If you enjoyed this Lenten reflection on Psalm 23, there's more: Devotional Book | On the Way: Walking With Jesus Through the Season of Lent. Would never use it! To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Take my yoke upon you and learn 13:20). Thank you for the blessing of knowing that you care for us and that we will live with you forever. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. Ask God to help you understand His love for you even more as you contemplate His words. In verses 1-4, David compares God to a shepherd, and in verses 5-6 he likens God to a gracious host. As a king, David honors his important guests, yet here he is a guest in the house of his God. funerals. Goodness and mercy follow us even in days of suffering because Jesus in near and his plans are only good and mercifulplans meant to lead us to righteousness and give us more of himself. Devotional Book | On the Way: Walking With Jesus Through the Season of Lent. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Discovering Joy in Suffering: 1 Peter 2:19-25 Explained. He saves my life, he leads me on the right ways. He restores my soul. In like manner, our Lord allows us to face certain perils without always explaining why. 77:20). Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd | Compassion UK Yet shepherds led their sheep through these ravines to avoid the scorching desert. If you purchase an item after clicking on a link, Blessed Catholic Mom will receive a small commission at no cost to you. "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." I felt the importance of the truth hidden in this verse. Yahweh then delivered his covenant people from Egypt and prepared for them a table in the presence of their enemies. Seasonal torrents released flash floods and wild animals lurked in the shadows. my life (my self); He 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. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ***BUT, DO I REALIZE THIS? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Published in 1769; public domain. 53:6a), any wrong turn might lead to death. comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and He and his wife are raising their four kids in Southern California and share their stories in Hope for New Dads: 40 Days in the Book of Proverbs. Therefore, as we walk through the valleys of this present life, we can look back in faith to Gods protection and also forward in hope to Gods eternal promises. It brings me comfort in my greatest times of need, and reminds me of the care and protection of my Good Shepherd. Instead of lifting his rod against his enemies, he would perish willingly on a cross (1 Pet. Most of us can easily name one or two things we wish we had in our lives. Then you can repeat the 23rd Psalm and know that it is yoursit was written for you. The Lord provides a place for me to dwell with him forever! The Lord cares for and watches over me, and provides all that I need. He guides me in right paths for his names sake. Look at all the other names. . 23:4ab). and We remember that we are always in your care. 23:2b). The Lords goodness and unfailing love pursue me all of my life. "He For sheep, though, valleys are more than just pretty pictures. We must trust him to go before us and scout out enemies or identify hazards. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". A valley concealing bandits and predators. Brittany Allen is a follower of Christ, wife to James, and Momma to three in Heaven. But many of us focus on the word shepherd when we read the first line. Psalm 23 might be so well-known because it offers us comfort and talks about how God protects us. I will fear no evil for You are with me (v 4). Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. my burden is "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. As we gaze on our Good Shepherd through the eyes of a sheep, we can find comfort in his provision, protection, and promises for eternity. Required fields are marked *. nothing is happeninga spiritual The new wording of the 23 psalm is dreadful. 5:4; Heb. 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. The Lord provides strength for my weary heart and enables me to walk forward on my journey. She longs to help other women see Jesus as their ultimate Treasure. v. 5 - We have a place at His table, He makes room for us, He wants us to stay close to Him. Today is a daily devotional that helps God's people refresh, refocus and renew their faith through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, In the Shepherd's Care Please click on the 'Share This Page' button below if you want to send this page to a friend - or if you want to contact me, click on the 'Mail' button below. Used by permission of NavPress. Other parts of this psalm also reflect kingly things. We are orphans and need to be brought into the fold of the True Shepherd. Stand on the hillsides where I can see You. A Bible Devotion from Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Christian walk we can go through
You are here
psalm 23 devotional reflections
You are here