The 23rd Psalm is probably THE best known of all the Psalms in the Bible. It has become a prayer to me, one I pray out loud regularly. As I have prayed it, God gives me insight on how those words relate to my life personally. Today I would like to share them with you…

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” This means I shall not want for anything. I shall be satisfied with what I daily receive from His hand. Because I trust in His great love for me, I shall not lust after things I do not have, but will trust that He can bring to me what I need (or even want) when it is time. I shall not covet the positions and things of others. My God and His love is sufficient for me. Do you trust His love for you?

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” If you can picture it…as a child, romping in the newness of spring and green grass and lying down in the grass looking up at the clouds. Notice it is only green pastures, not dry or dead, but fresh and new. If I am silly enough to stay so busy as to neglect myself spiritually or physically, God is able, through circumstances, to slow me down, to make me lie down and be refreshed, if need be.

“He leads me beside still waters.” Still waters represent where I drink from the word of God. It may be through preachers, teachers, books, or my own private study. No amount of hype will satisfy my soul. It must be from Him and I must know it is from Him. Elijah did not find God in  the wind, the earthquake, or the fire (1 Kings 19)….He found Him in the still small voice. He is able to lead me to places, to these “still waters,” where my spiritual thirst will be powerfully quenched, and I will be nourished and changed (See my prior post from Oct. 18, 2014).

“He restores my soul.” Yes, God heals my heart, my mind, and my emotions. He restores me to sanity.

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” The paths of righteousness may be painful; there may be suffering, but when His glory is revealed in me, it is an awesome day. I am transformed and the world sees Jesus a bit clearer.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for You are with me” As long as I live on this earth in this mortal body, I live under a shadow, just a shadow, of death, but death has no sting to those with eternal life. It is just a passing phase. I will not fear because He holds my future in His plans. And His plans are for good and not evil.

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” All of God’s correction is good. I am so happy that I can hear Him correct me. Then I can avoid all the miseries that disobedience brings.

“You prepare a table before me in the midst of my enemies.” My enemies may rejoice, thinking they have me down, but not so! My God rewards and honors me in plain sight of those who would wish my doom. He lifts my countenance and gives me joy.

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, who knows all things that are coming my way. My cup, my life, now overflows with blessings and wisdom and revelation of God’s Kingdom.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in Your house forever.”  How would you like to have Goodness and Mercy following YOU around all the days of your life? It’s wonderful and you can have it!