I know Psalm 23 by heart!

 It is a constant source of comfort for me. When I feel weak and weary, it truly does “restore my soul.”

I especially love the picture that comes to my mind immediately of the shepherd carrying a lamb over his shoulders. My heart is immediately soothed, and I feel calm, as I picture Jesus carrying me, his weary lamb, safe in His arms!

Read these words and picture yourself as the lamb that Jesus, The Good Shepherd, is carrying…

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

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.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER!”

As I read through these words that are so familiar to me, I feel Jesus pick me up and carry me when I have no more strength.

I feel comforted and loved! 

But this beautiful song, sung by a shepherd, David, also begins to breathe new life into my tired, worn out, limp and weary body! It is a wonderful Psalm of comfort, but it is also a Psalm of strength and confidence and life! Through this beautiful Psalm, I receive HOPE!

This Psalm makes clear that compassionate care is mine through my Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. It is clearly a comfort, but it is also a promise, it provides us with HOPE!

As I walk this difficult path of Alzheimer’s with my mom and sisters, I face challenges and fears that I have never faced before. Decisions must be made, crises must be attended to, wisdom is needed beyond my ability and demands are pressing in nonstop. But through it all my hope remains! When we are stressed, grieving and weak we tend to go back to what we know, what we are familiar with.

Psalm 23 is familiar to most of us. For me, my grandma taught it to me, it was in a frame in my grandparents house and the picture with it was Jesus carrying a lamb over his shoulders. I memorized it and quote it whenever I felt weak, sad or lonely. It has always served as a comfort to me! 

This week as I leaned in to the 23rd Psalm, God revealed to me that while it is a comfort it is also a promise! It provides us with HOPE!

I need comfort, but I also need HOPE!

I need to know that when things are difficult, sad and out of my control that God has still got this.

I am committing to four weeks of focusing on the 23rd Psalm! I have been challenged to read Psalm 23 over and over and to focus on it with intent and purpose. 

I would love for you to join me here each week and leave your comments, prayers and insights as Jesus, The Good Shepherd speaks to us through the 23rd Psalm. 

For this week, week one, let’s personalize it! Write it out and put your name in each verse. Then read it out loud with your name inserted and feel God speaking directly to you as you do.

Write down your feelings and insights as you do this and share them with us in the comments below. 

As you go through your week remember what you have written. Jesus is your Good Shepherd and your name is written on His heart! He’s got you, you are not alone! He is the Good Shepherd, your Comforter, Sustainer and HOPE!

Be hope-filled today Friends! The Good Shepherd is there to carry you through!

TRUTH BOMB

COMFORT AND HOPE COME TO US SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH OUR GOOD SHEPHERD!

Speak Truth Love