Thursday, July 30

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

"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." (Psalm 23:4)

Through Psalm 23, David, who began his career as a shepherd, paints a verbal picture of God, our Shepherd.  These words bring comfort and security in times of anguish and in times of joy.  God's presence will abide for His people, and we have the pleasure and privilege of following His wise lead.

From the first three verse, we understand that God both provides and guides His sheep.  His sheep will receive what they need and find peace in the "quiet waters."  This provision appears to stretch beyond the merely physical, to include both the emotional and spiritual.  God desires wholeness and integrity of being for His people.  His strength and power will be on display through the health of His people.  In addition to providing, God also guides and directs His sheep along "the right paths,/ for his name's sake."  In other words, God will be glorified as we follow Him.  His direction for our lives is indeed right and good.

In the center of the Psalm, we find both a descent and an ascent.  David does not shy away from our most challenging moments:  experiencing loss, death, and disease.  Yet, the hope for God's sheep lies in His presence and not an erasure of tough circumstances.  The highlight and center of the Psalm whispers to us:  "For you are with me."  As individuals and as a nation, we must acknowledge God as being welcomed and exalted as our Shepherd-King.  Otherwise, we will miss the blessings that He intended for us, expressed in completeness of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).

Ascending from this center, we find that the Shepherd-King will bring triumphant victory for His sheep.  Following God will lead to the heavenly feast that David describes.  Yet, it seems that David experiences that heavenly blessing here on earth, again centered on welcoming God's presence ("I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever").  With God drawing near to David, and David drawing near to God, David finds rich satisfaction and blessing.

How does this Psalm speak to you?  Which of its verses most impacts you today?

Lord God, thank You for offering to be our Shepherd-King.  Thank You that Jesus has rescued us from the field of the evil one and certain spiritual death by offering Himself as our sacrifice.  Help us to welcome Your presence more and more today, and guide us in right paths for Your Name's sake.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.

"Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy":  https://youtu.be/ZfMWQ_nrlKE