The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.4 Even 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.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23 ESV
Whether you’re an intimate Christ Follower, or a follower from afar (and if you’re unsure it’s a signal that you’re likely the latter of the two), you’ve heard, seen, or read the Twenty-third Psalm written by king David.
David wrote this as a mature man, reflecting back on the goodness of the GOD, Whom he worshipped and acknowledged as protector, provider, and guide. The words tell of the countless ways GOD took care of David throughout his lifetime, as a shepherd would his own sheep. It’s no wonder that David would draw the parallels of the life he, too, lived as that was his former occupation before his royal position.
I think that sometimes we wear ourselves ragged trying to succeed, achieve, accomplish, and be all the things. And yet, if we would just slow down long enough to heed the prompting of GOD our Shepherd, perhaps we would escape the ravages of burnout. When we resist, He lovingly takes the liberty to ‘make us lie down in green pastures’ and ‘takes us to still waters‘ to ‘restore our souls.’
Is it any wonder that He would show us that He would not allow any harm to befall us because He never leaves our side? GOD is fully vested in us, Friend. He gave Himself for us through Jesus ~ that’s a price that cannot be matched.
Life is hard ~ a fact you know well. But there is a truth that overrides any obstacle, challenge, hardship that you are presently experiencing: even though you are in it, you are not alone. Not one second escapes the Shepherd of your soul ~ He is in it with you to the end and beyond.
Walk with your head up so you can see the road ahead of you, Sister. Whether your steps are in the valley or on the mountain top, Jesus walks each one out with you. You’ve nothing to fear. The One Who spoke the world into existence is fully able to protect you.
If there’s a gap between you and He, now is the time to close it up. Let the Shepherd of your soul enter your space and see what He can do.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Kari Jobe Carnes | Hannah McClure | Bethel Music for this.
Titus Two 