Psalm 23 is a familiar psalm and undoubtedly the most popular in current society. It’s popular at funerals – expressing sorrow and sadness for a loss. Yet it ends on an upbeat note referring to God’s goodness and mercy for all the days of our lives. A true psalm for reflecting on this journey we call “life”.
I happened to study this psalm recently in my daily bible study “When Words Fail” by Proverbs 31 Ministries (their First 5 daily devotional).
The timing of this psalm was impeccable (as God’s timing always is!). I was packing for my “solitude” trip up to a cabin on a lake in northern Michigan. I have never done anything alone like this in my life, so I was a bit nervous. But God comforted me and calmed my fears when I read this psalm with fresh eyes.
It simply overflowed my heart with so much joy that I want to write about it over the five Sundays in September 2018.
I hope you will take the time to read this amazing psalm with fresh eyes and allow it to renew your heart, mind, and soul as you pursue Him every day. Rest. Restoration. Righteousness. Reassurance. Readiness.
Week 4 {Reassurance}
I know women in many Christian circles, and there’s one topic we discuss a lot – FEAR. Sisters (and brothers!), we need to confront this issue head on as believers!
I had the tremendous opportunity to examine my fears during the IF: Gathering 2018 this past February. I honestly did not even recognize that fear was controlling my life.
As I read this psalm anew, it was an exciting reminder of the progress I have made on the passage “I will fear no evil”. How very reassuring!
Psalm 23: 4-6 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
After that gathering, I spent a lot of time pondering the fear in my life. I had walked through some dark places, both with my health and with some hard family things.
These situations disrupted my everyday life. I spent many years keeping all these difficulties to myself. I did not participate in any meaningful fellowship with other believers. Insecurities ruled my life. In my mind, absolutely no one wanted to be burdened with my “problems”. I agonized over what other people would think about the hardships I was going through. Fear paralyzed me for many years.
Worsening health issues added to the fear. Monitoring cysts for cancer and facing a surgery I did not want was frightening.
Perhaps I read Psalm 23 during one of my darkest moments, I honestly don’t recall. I just remember asking God to please heal me and relieve the anxiety and pure exhaustion from living my life so long as an obese person. God answered my prayers in a big way.
Fast forward a year into my Keto journey and at my goal weight – still a very insecure person in sharing my faith and in using my voice. I was comfortable sharing my story with friends (they are safe), but I was hearing from God I needed to speak louder.
Out of the blue, some random stranger advised me to build this website and gave me many tips and tricks on how to get started. As quickly as he came into my life, he disappeared. Little did I know that the lessons on fear were prepping me for a big leap of faith that I would be taking just two months later with this website adventure.
The idea of this website overwhelmed me and sent me far out of my comfort zone – scary! Making my way through this part of my journey happened only because of the lessons I learned about fear during the IF: Gathering. It was not “coincidence” I decided to confront my fears right before God had me embark on something not even on my radar a few months prior.
My God is in the business of preparation though. Am I right? The key verse from the IF: Gathering reassures me every day!
2 Timothy 1: 6-7 This is why I remind you to fan into flames
the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Can you see how much reassurance is provided in Psalm 23 and this passage in 2 Timothy? God shepherds us, He guides and corrects our paths with is rod and staff, He prepares a table for us, He protects us from our enemies, He anoints us, and He fills our cups. I love to think of my cup overflowing with JOY.
All these promises remind us He would never give us a spirit of fear! We may walk through the darkest valleys, the hardest times, or the wildest new adventures and still feel the reassurance from our almighty God.
I have no idea my exact destination on this new journey. What I do know – I will stay in His Word, pray fervently for guidance, tune my ear to what He speaks, and never fear wherever I may journey with Him by my side. How wonderfully reassuring!
Do you have some fear in your life that you need to face head on? Is this a work in progress for you? Or has God brought you through something recently where you can claim victory over your fears? Share your story below!
I’ll leave you with another awesome praise song from my favorites list. It reassures me God is after my heart and I can face anything while remaining in His care. I’ll be asking my Worship Director to be adding this to my set list. He should be totally cool with me fanning that flame!
Reckless Love by Passion (featuring Melodie Malone)
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found
Leaves the 99
I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it
Still You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
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5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Health and Wellness Journey
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