So, about a year ago, I had a good friend of mine speak Psalm 23 over me. At the time, I didn’t think much about it. Now it means a lot to me.
Psalm 23 says this:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
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.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Now I will break it down…
The Lord is our shepherd. David is writing this to show how shepherds are the leaders of the sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on their shepherds to lead them, for provision, guidance, and protection. WE need to be that dependent on our Father. Not only is he our shepherd but he is the GOOD shepherd, we are a people that are not frightened or passive but obedient followers, wise enough to follow the good shepherd who WILL lead us down the right paths. Now, when we allow God to lead us, he leads us to refreshment and contentment. Shepherds know that ‘green pastures’ and ‘quiet waters’ will restore us. He takes us there out of love and restoration. But, we only reach these places if we follow obediently.
Next, we walk through valleys, hard things. Just because we have God and follow him, doesn’t mean that hardships won’t come our way. We can struggle with many enemies, pain, depression, anxiety, injury, spiritual warfare, and more. When we walk through this, it does not mean that God is abandoning us or that he is not a good and loving father. In fact HE is the only person that can walk us through deaths darkest valley and bring us out on the other side. He is the God of life. Because life is uncertain, we should follow the good shepherd, he offers us eternal comfort and light in the darkness.
‘He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’ In ancient Middle Eastern culture, at a feast or a banquet it was customary to anoint guests with fragrant oils. Hosts were also expected to protect their guests at all costs. God is offering us the protection of a host even when we are in the presence of our enemies. He is our provider and he makes our cups overflow. He doesn’t just fill it up, when we are rooted in living water, he provides with abundance letting it overflow.
Finally, we see that as we dwell in the Lord, he promises to protect us and guide us throughout our lives. He is the perfect shepherd and host and he welcomes us as special guests into his house forever.
Psalm 23 has been the scripture that the Lord has laid upon me more times than I can count in my life, especially in the past year. Two nights ago I was going through some notes and things from summer 2020, and I found Psalm 23 written out to me. I am not sure who wrote it, because it does not have a name, but when I found it, I felt the intimate presence of the Lord. I sat there in awe realizing how this last year has reflected Psalm 23 so well. Even in the hardest battles, he is my shepherd and in him I lack nothing. He has shown me what its like to lie down in green pastures, be led to quiet waters and how he refreshes my soul. He protected my heart from so many things, and provided healing and deep comfort. Yet, my cup has not run dry, it is in constant overflow when I am rooted in him. His love and goodness has followed me and will continue to follow me, and I am welcomed in His house and presence whenever I desire.
I hope you learn, rediscover, or take something out of this. God has a purpose for you and the season you’re in. He loves you!
Until next time,
Corryn Scharff
