Psalm 23 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Verse 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
Verse 3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Verse 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.
Verse 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Verse 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Devotion
We probably all have a story around this favorite psalm, either of how it has comforted us in the midst of a "dark valley" or of how we have shared it with others in the midst of their need. Although there are words for the valley, there are also words for the joy that we find in our relationship with God. These are words of great promise, and the words speaking to me right now are "my cup overflows."
Are you experiencing an overflow of God's grace, love and mercy? Can you close your eyes and picture what it would look like for these gifts from God to overflow from you to others? Where are you being called to go? Who are you being called to be with? When might you be able to go and bless others, as God's grace, love and mercy overflow from you to others?
Prayer
God of grace, open our eyes to see where and to whom you are calling us to go so that your grace may overflow from us to someone who needs your grace and love. Amen.