Good Morning all,
This won’t be an everyday thing, but this morning I woke up with Psalm 23 on my mind. I think this was twofold and here is why. I woke to an email from the amazing company illustrated company who during this time are providing some lovely devotional packs at this time. This week’s one was about Psalm 23 ready for the fourth week of Lent.
The link for this is: https://illstrtdm.in/LentWeek4 - I have just double checked and the link does work. If you are unsure how to open it. Double right click and click open hyperlink.
The other thing that spoke was this. I am sure there are many of us who went to Sunday school in the early days and there we got to learn different Bible verses. We had a weekly Memory verse and I am sure that many reading this will think, yes, that was something that we did and we may have taken it for granted. It was a skill that I wish I had paid more attention to. We are told in scripture to write these words on our hearts. ( Deuteronomy 11:18, Proverb 3:3, Proverbs 4:20-27, Proverbs 7: 1-3). We know that when Jesus was in the desert being tempted (Luke 4: 1-13) – He used the scriptures that He had in his heart against the devil. He kept praying and talking to His Father in this time. This is something that at this moment we can do. We can turn to scripture and learn to hold them in our hearts. I want this to be something that as a family, I would love to do. To help my children to learn the word for themselves. For some of us today, we can only dream of a Sunday school – somewhere we can learn these verses and these stories. Let us today take to our Bibles and read Psalm 23. I am going to be adding it to the Sutton Hill and Woodside page. A child friendly version and an adult version so that all family members can have a go together.
Psalm 23
V1.The Lord is my shepherd: I have what I need. - In these uncertain times, it may feel like we don’t have what we need. I know there are a few people I know that because of these times have had to stop work through no fault of their own and worry how they will pay their bills. Please pray for those who are in this situation. It is a worrying time for them.
V2.He lets me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides quiet waters: - In this time of self-isolating and social distancing, we are allowed to go for walk. Take time to go and look afresh at the creation that God has given to us. Go and have a walk down by the river and reflect on just what we have been blessed with. I have seen many posts in this time saying how we are giving Mother nature a rest with no planes and things. We have been given God’s creation and need to look after it well.
V3. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake: - We are being given a rest, let us take this time to take delight in Him and listen to His voice. We are human beings – not human doings. Let us not feel guilty for not running to the next thing or having to keep busy as we might usually do.
V4. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me. - Right now, we are more than likely scared and worried, we have no idea what lies before us (but then we never do) but we have a confidence that only comes from our Heavenly Father and need to take comfort in this at his time. “ The rod and the staff refer to the shepherds crook. The rod is what the sheep passed under when they were counted –and the staff is what used to drive away the wild animals and the things that posed a threat to the sheep.” (Matthew Henry Commentary, pg774). This is why we can see them as a comfort and not just a piece of wood. It means that God knows exactly who we are because He has counted us in and is now protecting us.
V5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. God is spending time getting things ready for us. That things don’t just happen by chance but because it has been designed for us. He has provided for us in all ways. In the Old Testament – a king was anointed with oil – they had God’s favour on them and so do we. Our cup overflows because we have been given more than we can ask for or need. We are chosen to be called Children of God and have been anointed by Him.
V6. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. We have been called to be faithful servants to our Father. He only wants the best for us. Things will not be easy in the coming weeks but can we still say “Lord, I will still love you” ? We have an assurance that we will dwell forever with our Father.
These are just my thoughts and I appreciate that this may not be something that you would like but I know that in this time, God is speaking to me and I hope and pray that there is something that you will find a little comfort in . Let us today find a quiet time to reflect on this verse. Maybe you could try a new thing and write out a verse at a time to learn over this week. Place it somewhere that you will regularly see it and think about it. What is God saying to you? How can we see God working as a shepherd in our lives right now? Where is He using His crook that maybe you haven’t recognised. I pray that God would speak into your lives this week.
On another note, this was the first song that came on in our house this morning. Be blessed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E
Love and prayers
Beckie x
