Read this here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=NIV or you know recite it by heart.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
Why? Because your shepherd gives you all you need. Relax! A kid once told me this is the best passage to put in the kitchen to stop your wanting of more and that has stuck with me.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and still waters. He guides me along right paths for his names sake.
That sounds nice. Often we think of God’s demands as being painful but the truth is his burden is easy and his yoke is light. Ever work too hard for too long? Do you know what happens. You get sick and are forced to stay home and watch the price is right. We were designed to work a lot but also rest a little. That’s what the sabbath is about!
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
What does this mean? If I am in a bad spot that doesn’t mean God isn’t there. No that’s when we need and have his protection most as the footsteps in the sand poem has taught us too well. I have spent the last week thinking about the rod and the staff. Is that two things or one? It sound like it’s one. The rod beats off the bad things and the staff or shepherd’s crook brings us comfort. Defend and comfort. Serve and protect. That’s what our God does! Get yourself a God who does both!
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
This is the most interesting passage. We’re served a meal before our enemies. Jesus does this with Judas on Maundy Thursday. Jesus does this with us at every last supper! Images of wars stopping on Christmas day for both sides to come together to have a meal and the reminder that there is humanity at both sides of the fight.
A meal before our enemies. This is life. It sucks. Yet God is good and God serves us He send his light his sun, and his son to give light to all. There’s beauty in this life but it’s only a glimpse of the goodness to come. The challenge is to enjoy it now because there’s some great stuff ahead and even now there’s always something to be thankful for. Life in a sense is a war between good and evil. Yet with God on our side we know who’s won. So pass the wine and let’s eat!
Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Goodness and mercy- comfort and protection. Rod and staff. We need both. Goodness will be with us all the time in this life and the one to come.
It’s interesting how this follows Psalm 22 one of the darkest psalms with one of the lightest. It also leads to a discussion about this life and the next- valley of the shadow of death, eternity to come with God. 100% understandable why this would be read at funerals. It’s hope for us now and hope for us later.
Remember it’s not about the sheep it’s about the shepherd!
Marking It Up 