Speak Lord; I’m Listening – Daily Bite-Size Encouragement – Day 22
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. King David is expressing his confidence and trust in the Lord as a Shepherd who leads well. This psalm describes the real world of David as a shepherd boy as he was still before the Lord, yet symbolically expresses David as a man being led by His Shepherd and King.
The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days, the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.1
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for being a gentle Shepherd that leads, guides, feeds, and protects us. Thank You, Lord, for conducting us to places of refreshment in Your Presence. You, O Lord, satisfy us! Thank You, Lord, that we can be still – we do not need to strive – for You supply for all our needs. Thank You, Lord, for providing a way for us by Your righteous Blood.
Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Even as it is written, for Your sake, we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Yet amid all these things, we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.2
Thank You, Lord, for being with us in the darkest times. And when the darkness seems to hide Your face, we know that You are always with us for ‘You never leave us, You never forsake us.’3 We chose to sit still and wait for You – waiting is an active move of faith that we believe You are who You say You are and that You will come and meet us in our time of need.
You know when we ‘rise up and sit down’ as we sit still before You. You are ‘intimately acquainted with all our ways.’ And the ‘darkness will not overwhelm us, for even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.’ For ‘You are Light, and in You there is no darkness at all.’4
Hallelujah! Nothing can separate us from Your love! Oh, to be still in Your incredible, majestic Presence. There is none like You, O Lord, and we worship, adore, and exalt You. We love You, Lord, and thank You for choosing us to be in Your family. We love You. Amen.
Recommendations:
Six practical ways to hear from God I Need to Hear from God Today- Do You? – Strength with Dignity
Throne Room praise from the Book of Revelation You Deserve Our Praise – Strength with Dignity
References:
1 Psalm 23 AMPC
2 Romans 8:35-39 AMPC
3 Hebrews 13:5 NIV
4 Psalm 138 NASB; 1 John 1:5 NASB
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
New International Version (NIV) Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Bible Scriptures were retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.biblegateway.com #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
20 thoughts on “Led By Still Waters”
Those still waters sure sound fine, a coin from Heaven’s purse, but they are not, and can’t be mine, for where, then, will I surf?
To my heart the Green Room beckons, down the tube and livin’ large, and in my heart of hearts I reckon
that since the Lord’s the one in charge that I am really truly blessed, that Jesus came to save,
and I know I am at my best waiting on that perfect wave,
for after all Creation’s birthing, on the eighth day, God went surfing.
We are truly blessed that Jesus came to save, Andrew.
What a beautiful approach to psalm 23. I love this! Thanks for sharing ❤️
Thanks, Mariel! The Shepherd kindly leads us.
Does Psalm 23 ever grow old and ordinary? I think not.
Psalm 23 is always fresh and lovely, Susan.
Thanks for sharing. I love Psalm 23.
Psalm 23 is so comforting, Cindy.
Nice combination between the psalm and the prayer.. he does know us full well… so the table that awaits is just what we’ll need eh?
It’s exactly what we need, Annette.
Lisa, this is beautiful. Such a great message and lesson. Blessings.
FMF #29
Thanks, Paula!
I could sit with that soothing image all day long, Lisa …
He is so kind to lead us gently, Linda.
The analogies and contextual descriptions create such a vivid description of God’s character. As we sit with them, we absorb what God offers us.
God is so kind to lead and guide us, Stephanie!
Enjoyed reading this. Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 37. Pinned!
He gently lead and guides us.
This is beautiful Lisa. I love Psalm 23 and the green pastures of our Shepherd Jesus.
Yes, Deborah, there is nothing quite like being with our Good Shepherd, Jesus.