…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 Tuesday, 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.
Shepherds would also 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.
I’m guessing that David was going for the first image, being at a banquet and all. 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 Monday, 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 Friday
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 Thursday, 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 Wednesday, 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 Tuesday
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 Monday, 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 Friday.
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.
And I think you know it, too.
Happy Thursday, Beloved.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…(Psalm 23:2).
Lie down
Rest
Now
The verb here is makes. God makes David rest. God knows that, left to his own devices, David will work himself to the bone, trying to do more and be more and make more and become more and–
and God says to rest.
When did you last rest, Beloved? When was the last time you set aside the backpack full of gottado’s and stretched out in the green pasture for a snooze?
You can take that metaphorically or literally–your choice.
Look, I know you have a lot on your plate, and sometimes it seems like you’ll never get through it, but your body and your mind and your spirit all need rest.
And God commands it, so there.
Pull up a patch of grass and have a seat.
Happy Wednesday, Beloved