“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
Protection from all that is unsafe … that is the picture that begins to form in my head when I read this Psalm. A most popular reading at graveside services; I think we miss so many of the blessings in this lovely prayer. It is the picture of the Great Shepherd and His little lambs. His only job is to feed and protect us. Our only job is to trust and obey.
Close your eyes and recite it again, only this time let’s personalize it, like this:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (He is there for me, I need no other protection)
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (I am a tired little lamb and I am safe to rest in this beautiful green blanket of grass)
He leadeth me beside the still waters (It is peaceful and I am safe from raging waters of life)
He restoreth my soul: (I can feel this safety and rest down into the depths of my being and as I rest in Him, He is rejuvenating my body for tomorrow)
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (He leads me down the safe path because He loves me and I follow because I believe all of His promises, past, present and future)
Comfy, cozy and safe in his arms. That is a peaceful rest like no other.
