The LORD is my Shephard, I shall not want, He leads me by still waters and he restores my soul.
My sister in Christ prayed this over me last week. Then she received a picture of me sitting on a bank by a creek with my toes hanging over the side and Jesus sitting there beside me.
The very next day I took my dog for a walk, not because I wanted to or because I was thinking of finding a creek or thinking about this Psalm, my dog was stir crazy and if I didnt get her out I would go crazy, so off we went my dog and me to a park I often visit with her, but on this day she decided to take her first wade/swim in the creek that runs in this park. At first I was frusterated, yelling for her to get out, becaue she had to get into my van..all wet. But then I spotted a perfect place to sit, on a bank with my feet dangling over the still flowing water, and I felt the presense of Jesus. And Psalm 23 was recited in my head over and over and watching my dog have the time of her life.
Funny, Psalm 23 was the probably the 1st Psalm that I have ever memorized, It is quoted everywhere, even in non-christian circles, its the psalm people give to comfort those who are grieving. Its like John 3:16...we know it so well that sometimes they become only words and they lose the greatest truth of all.
But on this day, for the first time I pondered on the beauty and the promises that are packed full in these words from our loving Father for me. The promise that He leads His sheep to quiet pastures and still waters, the promise that He will restore our soul when we are weary, the promise that He leads us into righteousness so He will be glorified. The promise that as we walk through the valley of death, He walks us through with His protection. The promise that he is preparing a feast for us, and annoints us with oil, so much abudance that our cups will over flow. And goodness and mercy will be ours all the days of our lives and then we will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Finding true peace and rest in this chaotic, rat race we live in, is being drenched with God's word and sitting in His presense. That is the miracle of all miracles, because when these words become truth that we live by, then striving, and worrying, and performing can be relaced with Freedom in and Worship to the Author and Finisher of our faith and to be restful, joyful and peaceful in all circumstances, and knowing when the Great Shephard calls, following him is the safest place to be.
All week been reciting this great Psalm, asking God to make this Psalm real not only in my head, but also in my heart...He is doing that...He is restoring my soul and I am overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy in my life, he knows I need it....and I cant wait to dwell with my Jesus forever and ever. Amen
