Category: Psalm

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…(Psalm 23:6)

I need to know that God is good.

I need to know that God is merciful.

I need to know that those qualities will always be part of my relationship to him.

And praise God, he knows that I need to know.

Beloved, be thankful that these elements of his character will always be there, guiding and guarding and watching over us like…

angels…or

bodyguards…or

Stalkers, but in a really good way.

A really, really good way.

Happy Monday, Beloved

…my cup overflows(Psalm 23:5).

Not just what I need.

More

Eversomuch more

Overflowing abbondanza

So, we’re clearly not talking about my bank account here.

Instead, perhaps, we’re talking about greater things.

Things like my heart

My soul

My spirit

If those things be full to overflowing, I’ll survive a skimpy paycheck.

Happy Friday, Beloved

You anoint my head with oil… (Psalm 23:5).

You will be the honored guest.

In Bible times, the honored guest had oil poured on his head to signify the esteem in which he was held. 

Seems an odd way of showing respect, but there you go.

There are other kinds of anointing. For example, shepherds would anoint their sheep, pouring oil on the animals’ heads to prevent fly larvae from burrowing into the skin. So one could say, if one were so inclined, that this passage indicates God’s willingness to care for David, by, you know, keeping the maggots away.

There’s a picture for you.

I’m pretty sure that David was going for the first image. Still, whether the anointing is for honoring, or healing, or rejoicing, the Lord of the Universe has singled out David, and by extension us, for his care and attention.

Pretty amazing, when you think of it.

So think of it.

Happy Thursday, Beloved

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies  (Psalm 23:5).

Picture it.

The Lord of the Universe brings you to the table, and you realize that the party is for you! He seats you at his right hand and tells all those gathered, “This is my child, my brother, my friend. I honor him. You mess with this one, you mess with me.”

Then he shoots a look across the room, to where your detractors are gathered.

It’s the same kind of look I shoot at my 7th graders when they’re being obnoxious, only it’s much better because he’s God and he does everything better than I do.

Come to the table, Beloved.

It’ll be fun.

Happy Wednesday

your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

Because he is strong

and bold

and capable

and the very personification of power

I know that he can protect me.

Because he is good

and kind

and merciful

and calls me his Beloved

I know that he will.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4).

Through

God doesn’t just take us to the valley.

He takes us through.

And on the other side of the valley we will find the sun bright, and the tears gone, and the pain banished, and our souls breathing easily. And we will look to the One who loves us and rejoice in knowing that never once in all the darkness were we ever, even for a breath, alone.

The valley is deep, Beloved, and the shadows are dark, but he is with you.

And he will bring you through.

It’s Monday, Beloved.

Keep walking.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).

For his name’s sake.

His 

Not yours

Yes, he loves you and wants you to walk in righteousness because that is what’s best for you–don’t get twitchy. But remember, you belong to God, which means that your behavior reflects on him, which means that his honor is on the line just a bit when he lets you galavant around the town with all your weirdness running through you.

I don’t know if it’s possible for God to take a chance–being that he’s God and all–but if it is, he’s really taking a big one letting people like me wander around bearing his name.

Walk the path, Beloved. Bring glory to the name of the One who loves you.

Happy Friday

He guides me in paths of righteousness… (Psalm 23:3).

This verse is in the 1984 NIV.

In the more current NIV it says, “He guides me along the right paths…”

King James says, “He leadeth me in paths of righteousness…”

In the Michael Version, it reads, “He drags me, kicking and screaming, onto the path of righteousness, and smacks me with his staff when I wander away.”

Yes, I made that up, but you know what I mean.

Beloved, it takes more than guiding to keep us on the path of righteousness. It takes occasional and liberal use of the rod and the staff.

And our Shepherd loves us enough to use them.

Hallelujah for that.

Happy Thursday, Beloved

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul  (Psalm 23:3).

And there it is.

He restores our souls, Beloved.

This world will drain your soul. This world will break your soul, grind it to dust, mix it with your tears and drink it down in a shot glass.

But the One who loves you restores your soul. He takes it in his hands and gently puts the pieces back together. He breathes life into it and heals it.

He makes you whole.

Every day

Breathe deep, Beloved. Your Shepherd calls.

Happy Wednesday.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters…(Psalm 23:2).

Sometimes life is all storm

and rising flood

and raging river

and endless, driving rain that threatens to wash your very self away.

And God is there in the midst of it.

Sometimes the waters calm, and life is gentle brooks

and quiet mountain lakes

and little ponds tucked away in the woods

and soft, soothing waves sizzling against the sand of the shore.

And God is there, too.

I don’t know what today holds for you, Beloved. But whether the storms rage or the brooks whisper, I know that the One who loves you will be there, leading you by the hand.

And I think you know it, too.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.