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 this month of 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.
I have been reading Psalm 23 over and over again this month to glean the renewed impact it has on my life. I am ready to trust in the promises of this amazing scripture.
How will this psalm prepare my readiness for my daily walk with Christ? I can find the answers in the last two verses:
Psalm 23:5-6 (NIV)5You prepare a feast for me
right in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head.
My cup runs over.
6 I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
I shared earlier this month about my battles and progress when it comes to fear. How comforting to me, right here in verse 5, God promises even in front of my enemies He provides for my needs. He doesn’t do it in some small, insignificant way, either. He prepares a feast for me! A feast! That sounds so grand.
Oh, but that’s not all! He also tells me He anoints my head with oil. This symbolizes I am chosen and set apart. If He does these things for me, what do I have to worry about? Romans 8:31 asks:
What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us?
My cup runs over with joy, pure joy!
Reflecting on all the lessons I have gleaned from this psalm – Rest, Restoration, Righteousness, and Reassurance – the final step is realizing I am ready because He is with me.
No more unrest – instead I find contented rest in Him.
No more troubled mind, body, or soul – instead I have been restored in Him.
No more relying on my own power – instead I pursue righteousness in Him.
No more fear – instead I embrace the reassurance of the Holy Spirit.
All of these lessons bring me to a readiness to serve Him. I rejoice in all the promises of this psalm as it speaks to my physical, emotional, and spiritual healing preparing me for this journey. I am sure that His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever!
Let me encourage you in your daily walk. My physical health has changed because of His provisions and showing me the way with the whole, real foods He readily provides for me. I prayed for guidance and strength every day and He never failed to show up.
My emotional health improved as I felt better physically and connected with Him throughout the day – through my thoughts, prayers, songs of praise, and choosing joy!
Most importantly my spiritual health improved drastically because of the time I began spending with Him first thing every morning! I failed miserably at accomplishing this every day when I lived my exhausted, obese life. I praise God every day He never stopped pursuing me and prompting me to do this. And now I’m even more thankful for this time every day – the most important part of my day!
If you are not spending time in God’s word and in prayer every day, what can I do to help you be ready to commit to this? How about starting today? You can start by reading Psalm 23. See if anything new jumps out at you and apply it to your own joyful journey!
I’ll leave you with a fun song. It’s my favorite jam by my favorite band right now – because it soars like my spirit! Picture David dancing and praising God through song. I love that image!
OHHH, by the way – I was there LIVE when they filmed this video in Belfast. Best time of worship ever – so blessed to be there. It was a true highlight of my Ireland trip. I can’t wait to attend their concert here in November for another great night of worship!
“I Will Be Undignified” by Rend Collective
I’m abandoned to reckless praise,
Oh, my soul, will not bow to the fear, oh I will not bow
I will be undignified…
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