Psalm 23 (NRSV)
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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
The Lord is my Shepherd. The active verbs tell how. He makes me lie down in green pastures in times when my spirit needs to be nourished. He leads me beside still waters of respite. He restores my soul in times of weariness, pain, or despair. He leads me in right paths, should I care to pay attention. The shepherd comforts me in dark and fearful times. He prepares sustenance for my life’s journey. He anoints my head with the blessing of God’s faithfulness. God’s goodness and mercy follow me, pursue me, chase after me every second of my entire life and beyond. The psalmist invites us to reflect on the ways God patiently keeps on shepherding us. Surely, most assuredly, God’s goodness and mercy shall continue to follow us, pursue us, chase after us all the days of our lives and beyond. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Shepherding God, move through our hearts that we may better follow your leading and find that which will truly satisfy the desire of our hearts. Amen.