I’ve been reading Psalm 23 this past week and thought I’d share a few of my thoughts from this study time.  We should always read this chapter in light of the fact that it applies to this life – NOW.

Psalm 23: 

Verse 1: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, 

When I was young this verse confused me because it seems to me that a person was saying they didn’t want the Lord to be their shepherd.  Now that I have grown in my knowledge of God’s love for me, I understand that He is my provider and in Him there is no lack.  Some Bible versions use the word lack instead of want, which makes more sense.  A good shepherd always provides for his sheep and protects them.  Jesus said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep”.

Verse 2:  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 

To me green pastures and still waters represent provision, safety and peace.  This verse reassures me that He has only good plans for me.  He does not lead us into temptation that could bring harm to us, but leads us to His Word to bring us His blessings.

Verse 3:  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  

I find great comfort in knowing that God restores me to Him and that He leads me in the righteousness of His Name.  I don’t have to depend on my righteousness (which Isaiah 64:6 tells us would be filthy as rags).  It is His righteousness that He instills in us when we make Jesus our Savior.  When we follow His paths of righteousness (His Word) our soul is restored.

Verse 4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.  

When I was young I thought of death as an end – and of course it is in a sense – it is the end of this life that we know – BUT it is not the end of life itself!  We live forever!  The question is not IF we live when we leave this world but WHERE will we live after this life – hell or heaven.  These are the only two choices and we make that choice before death; we either reject Jesus or we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Son of God.  Death itself is merely the entrance way – into life hereafter.  Knowing Jesus as our Savior takes the fear out of death.  It says here “the shadow of death”; remember a shadow has no power to hurt us.  His rod is His Word of correction and His staff is His Word of guidance and direction.  It is when we know His Word that we receive the comfort that He has to offer us; thus the importance of reading His Word, the Bible.

Verse 5: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.  

There are two kinds of nourishment that we need; natural nourishment and spiritual nourishment.  The natural only supplies what our bodies need to grow and mature.  Spiritual nourishment on the other hand supplies what our spirit needs to grow and mature which then also nourishes our soul (mind) and our body (healing and good health).  The enemies we fight against are the devil and the principalities of darkness that come in the form of sickness, disease, poverty, strife, envy, jealousy, and the list goes on and on; they come to steal, kill, and destroy us.  The table that God sets before us is filled with the abundance of life that Jesus came to give us.   (John 10:10)  We are able to live in this abundant life by the anointing (power) that He gives us with His Holy Spirit.  When we continually nourish ourselves at His Table (the Bible) then our lives run over with His blessings.

Verse 6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  

When we commit ourselves to live daily according to the Word of God we position ourselves to live in His goodness and mercy, dwelling in His presence now.  Then when the time comes to pass through the shadow of death we enter into our heavenly abode with our Heavenly Father, and Jesus His Son, forever!

I have been so blessed by the comfort that the Lord has given me through this study.  I hope that it is a blessing to you also.  Have a great week, Jesus loves you.