Psalm 23 New International Version
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right path for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
One of my favorite psalms is Psalms 23. The word pictures presented here bring both feelings of peace as well as feelings of security. The Lord portrays Himself as a shepherd, one who does not drive the sheep but leads the sheep to places of restoration and peace. When the Lord leads the way you will lack nothing. It does not say you will have everything but you will not lack the things that you need. As you lie amidst the green pastures, which insinuates an abundance of nourishment you will find peace and contentment. Nearby are the still waters which quench the thirst of even the hottest days. In this place there is refreshing and renewal. However even with the good refreshing days come the dark days when all around you the shadows seem to close in and the rocky hills block your view and you find yourself living in this one moment of time. Fear is nearby but it does not come nigh your heart for the Lord is leading you. His rod corrects your direction and His staff keeps you from straying. In the green pastures we find restoration, in the valleys we find growth and experiences that help us to mature in our journey towards the high places.
I remember when I was a child that I often felt that monsters lurked in my closet and under my bed. I would not allow my foot to stray off the side of my bed lest it be grabbed by this lurking troll and I be pulled under the mattresses and devoured to never be seen again. I remember calling at times out to my dad and he would appear in the doorway and reassure me that everything was alright. He was in the next room and I was sure that he would never let anything happen to me. He was stronger than any troll or monster that might want to devour little children. Knowing this I would go to sleep as I listened to his breathing in the next room which brought me comfort.
In our lives we will encounter those struggles that seem to block the sunlight and cause the shadows of fear to close in around us. It’s then that if you listen you will hear the Lord speak to your heart that He is nearby encouraging you to keep walking with Him. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you and nothing by any means shall hurt you. There is an assurance that comes from walking with Him not just in the good days but in all days. Your trust is built upon life’s experiences. It is hard to trust something or someone that you have not proven.
I had a time in my life that I experienced that valley of fear as it closed in around me. Telling me that I was alone with no way out of the suffering and pain I was experiencing. Death taunted me and wanted to rob me of my wavering faith. I cried out to God for help. I did not want to live in the environment of darkness and pain and struggle. I longed for the green pastures and still waters where the warmth of the day and the light of the morning offered my soul contentment. The nights were the worst time of the day, amidst my suffering sleep fled and I was tormented by thoughts and imaginations of what could be, lurking in the shadows of doubt. I remember quoting the scripture that says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Lord I prayed I know that I should not be wrestling with this. Why then do I have it surrounding me and taunting me every moment of the day. Little did I realize at that moment that God was instructing me and teaching me a most valuable lesson. A verse one day rushed into my mind and it seemed this was a reply to my silent cries.
1John 4:18 Berean Bible
18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 19We love because He first loved us.…
If I have tried to cast this fear out I said to myself and have not succeeded does this mean Lord that my love is not perfect. Is there something wrong in my relationship for Lord I declared I certainly love you with all of my heart. It is then that thoughts flooded my mind from heaven. Steve, what is the foundation of love built on. What is it that allows love to stand against the hardest storms of life and the most trying of circumstances. Well Lord, I said, I would say that it would be trust. Without trust no relationship can stand for any length of time. It was then a memory of my dear old dad and I came into my mind. When I was about five one of the things that I enjoyed the most was when he would give me an airplane ride. He would grab one foot and one hand and then spin in circles and gravity would lose its grip and for a time it seemed I could fly. Then a still small voice seemed to speak to me, “were you afraid when your dad did this.” Absolutely not I said to myself for I knew that my dad would never allow anything to happen to me that would hurt me. At that moment God was asking me this question, “can you trust me like that. Have I ever failed you or hurt you. Even on the most wild rides of your life did I ever let you go.” “No Lord I exclaimed”, “then you can trust me in the future for you have no evidence of my lack of provision in your past.”
I then thought of this scripture.
Jude 1:24 King James Version
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
We can trust Him on the sunny days but what about in the midst of the storm. You never know how deep the foundation of your trust goes down until the house of your life is shaken. If it’s built on the sands of fantasy chances are it will fall. However if it is built on the experiences of the past and mixed with the cement of trust your house will not fall. Oh sure you will be shaken but you will find that when all is said and done that you are still standing as the shadows flee and the sun once again shines. You will find yourself standing a little taller after the valley and your trust a little more stronger.
So regardless today whether you’re in that green lush pasture, or walking through that deep dark valley the same God is right beside you. Remember your flesh benefits from the pasture and still water, but your Spirit is given strength in the valley of trial and temptation.
Just remember how David finished his psalm, he said that goodness and mercy shall follow him all the days of his life. It did not say that goodness and mercy would lead him.
Follow the shepherd wherever He leads you for He watches out for your soul.