Skip to main content

A Meditation on Psalm 23

Image
By A.M.





 

A Meditation on Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is one of the popular passages in the Bible. Famously known for its beginning line: "The Lord is my Shepherd." A meditation by King David, reflecting likely during one of his shepherding days out in the field:


As I Am to Others, God is to Me

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Whoever you are, whatever you do in this life - your role, your responsibilities, your obligations - remember that God does for you, what you do for others.

This brings security and sufficiency; to know that whoever I am, whatever I am doing right now, God is doing the very same thing for me. If I am a parent, a teacher, a friend to others, God is all those to me as well. In knowing this, I understand that I will not lack in anything. Ultimately, God supplies all I need to supply to others. All my output comes from the Source.

This also brings relief and confidence. Everything others depend on me for, I can depend on God for in my own life. Everything I need to be that "Dependable" person, I can go to God for wisdom and enablement. This is a promise not only of provision, but of capacity. Whenever I reach the end of my ability or understanding, God will step in to grow and develop me so I can be better equipped and become equal to the task or the challenge before me. And where human limits prevent me from going further, I know God can and will direct me to a suitable help or recourse.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul [strength]; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

To lie down in green pastures and be led beside still waters speaks of rest, calmness, and peace. Yet unrest and striving often accompany life as we pursue the necessities of living. If we continue in this mindset and way of living, there will be no true rest for us.

God’s provision — the way He leads us to it, the journey itself, and the destination — is marked by restfulness and peace. When we allow God, our Shepherd, to lead and guide us, much of the toil becomes lighter.

He restores our very soul — our strength, our inner being, our core — the place where restoration is most needed. So often we address and manage the external parts of life first, while the innermost part of ourselves is set aside, hidden, or postponed. Yet it is this inner place that needs to be refreshed, revived, and reset. This is what God does continually, if we allow Him.

He also leads us in paths of righteousness, of rightness, for His name’s sake. God values His Name, because His Name is who He is. He can swear by no one greater than Himself, and He will always be faithful. He keeps us on the right paths in accordance with His character — with no evil in Him, no hidden motives, and no flaws in His intent. Perfect in foresight, plan, and execution, never blindsided, never misled, never guiding us into error or false direction.


As I Meet My Death, God is With Me

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Death touches everyone. It is the most certain and often the most frightening reality that comes upon all people. It is something each person must face individually. No one can feel it for you, and no one can walk the entire experience together with you.

Yet we know that God will walk us through it, and there is nothing to fear — neither what lies ahead nor what we must leave behind. We no longer need to fear anything. God is with us, and that is enough. He has seen our past, and He has already seen our certain future.

It will be a sorrowful experience, and so He will comfort us. We may feel threatened, insecure, or uncertain, but He will protect us through it all. The enemy cannot grab hold of us, even in death. We are safe and secure, guarded and guided, until we are brought fully into His presence.


As I Face Opposition, God Affirms and Blesses Me

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

In times of opposition, we may find ourselves fighting alone, ganged up on, treated unfairly, misunderstood, or wrongly judged. In those moments, God is present to affirm our innocence and our character. He continues to bless us, provide for us, and cause us to prosper. There will be vindication. Sooner or later, those who stand against you will see and know that you are in the right. God will not hesitate to act in your favor, even publicly.

Though people around us may reject us, think ill of us, or treat us unjustly, we can be confident that God stands on the side of what is right and true. God anointing us with oil signifies acceptance, consecration, and healing. He receives us, sets us apart for His purpose, and brings restoration where there has been hurt and woundedness. He celebrates us as His own and ministers healing to inner places that have been damaged.


As I Live My  Life, God Surrounds Me with Goodness and Mercy

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

How assuring and settling it is to end this meditation with the understanding that goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives, and that we will dwell in God’s house forever. There will never be a time when His goodness and mercy are out of reach; they will always be present for us to experience and receive. And we will live, die, and enter eternity with the confidence that we remain in God’s presence — at home with Him — forever.


Final Thoughts

The shepherd is shepherded, the provider is provided for, the guide is guided. The rejected is accepted, the opposed is defended, the mortal is immortalized. We are givers and “providers” in many situations, and receivers in others. But God is our ultimate giver and provider, and this constant truth brings release from fear, fatigue, and frustration. In Him, we are never doing life alone.


f this post encouraged or helped you, would you consider buying me a coffee? Your support helps me keep creating faith-focused, practical content.

Unsure but Secure - Reflect on Job 12:10

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for visiting. Love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments box!

Popular posts from this blog

Why Am I Sleepy During the Day?

By A.M.
What's causing your eyes and brain to shut down during the day? Why can't you keep your eyes open just when you really need to get some work or reading done? If you’ve been asking yourself, “ Why am I sleepy during the day ?” or struggling with that mid-morning or afternoon crash, you’re not alone. Millions of people deal with daytime sleepiness that makes it hard to focus, stay productive, or even enjoy daily activities. The good news? Most causes are simple and fixable once you know what’s behind that drowsy feeling. Too Many Carbs – A Common Cause of Daytime Fatigue If you're not careful, you can over-consume carbohydrates. And when you're taking in more carbohydrates than you can burn, you will get sleepy. Dr. Libby says it's either because your insulin levels are high or you might be gluten intolerant. Eat pasta, bread, potatoes and rice in moderation and space them properly. Studies show that a meal high in refined carbs can spike your blood sugar, follow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Container Gardening: Planting KangKong in Pots (Water Spinach)

By A.M.
Kang kong is a well-known leafy vegetable used in many Philippine dishes. It is quite easy to grow they say. There was a time when you can find kangkong patches on most streets in the neighborhood. It is also called water spinach or swamp cabbage. It thrives in wet, moist areas. Many grow it solely in water. It quickly grows under sunny spots but carers should keep the soil moist. Else, it may die. Some tips: Not much intstructions on planting. Just bury the seed and keep the soil moist or muddy.  Kangkong grows all year round. Cut maybe an inch or two above the soil for continued regrowth and harvesting. Winter may see your plant dying but often, it regrows by spring. You may fertilize with nitrogen twice a month. You may harvest whole plants at about 1 to 2 months. Kangkong has the tendency to spread. Grow in a container for easy maintenance or harvest whole plants to control your supply. It is best to use potting soil for your containers. Putting regular soil in res...
Post a Comment
Read more

Choose Gratitude!

By A.M.
Gratitude  is how you deal with worry and anxiety.  A grateful heart  helps you get over yourself. As Christians, we are called to practice gratitude every moment, not just when life is going smoothly but especially in the hard moments. Gratitude anchors our hearts to God’s faithfulness and reminds us that we are never alone. Gratitude Helps Us See Beyond Ourselves Somewhere in the world, in this very moment, someone is dying without Jesus. Someone is living it tough. They’re without hope, unaware that God is nearby, ready to save. As followers of Christ, cultivating a heart of gratitude keeps us sensitive to these realities, pushing us to pray, share the Gospel, and love others intentionally. It also moves us to keep appreciating our salvation and security in Christ, now and whatever happens in the future. People are out there, wrestling with the purpose of life. They have never known the presence and loving touch of the One True God. They have yet to experience a r...
Post a Comment
Read more