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
When you reflect on your life during Lent, do you focus on your times of greatest struggles? I do. As you think back, do you recall feeling God’s steadfast guidance and protection in fearful situations? We’re comforted when we remember God’s love endured in our lives—as well as in the world—throughout periods of desperation and devastation. During difficult times, we often turn to Psalm 23 for reassurance. But what about when things are going well or even great? Psalm 23 also reminds us to look for God’s love in our lives and the world in satisfying situations. Then, God lovingly restores and maintains us with much-needed rest, green pastures’ sustenance, and life-giving waters. During our Lenten journeys, let’s look for God’s presence with us in times of desperation and devastation, as well as of satisfaction and restoration. That’s where we can find God loving us and the world.
Prayer
Shepherding God, we’re grateful that you share your steadfast love with us and the world during times of devastation and times of restoration. Help us to share your love with all people. Amen.