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
It’s March, so that means it’s calving season for us and many others. Which also means we’re getting up several times in the middle of the night to check on first-calf heifers (first-time momma cows) for any signs of difficulty giving birth. I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty spooky being outside and hearing the coyotes howl at two a.m. They feel like they’re about five feet behind your right shoulder … right behind that tree … right over there! Psalm 23 is a well-known psalm, and for good reason. It’s one I say to myself over and over as I shine the flashlight and see the reflections of eyes staring back at me (mostly the heifers giving me the stink eye and wondering why I’m disturbing their ruminating and their slumber). It’s comforting to know that while I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for the Lord’s rod and staff are with me. May you know that comfort and peace, too.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for providing green pastures to lie down in, still waters to walk along, and for restoring my soul, even when fear threatens to grip me. I know you are with me, even through the darkest valley. Amen.
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