Psalm 23

I told you that once I got internet I would be writing more, and today, I just have something that I want to share.

I recently memorized the 23rd Psalm, we all know it, but do we know it? In taking the time to commit this passage to memory I was struck by a few things, and it was awesome, because they were all things that I really needed to hear/read about.

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want,
he makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me besides still waters,
he restores my soul. 

First of all, we'll ignore the part where God compares us to sheep...because sheep are, well...dumb and I'm sure that you could have a whole sermon devoted to just that. I want to talk about that "makes me" part...because in the process of moving, I forgot to be still. I forgot to stop and thank the Lord for what he's been doing (and there are a lot of things he's been doing!) and for his provision in everything. He doesn't just give us everything we need, he gives us stuff we don't even know we need, like rest. Every time I feel myself getting to caught up in stuff, I stop to think that he MAKES me lie down in those green pastures, and I should appreciate that. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me. 

And now we're in that valley. We all have them. We've all got burdens, things that happen to us, things that happen to others, things that just...just break our very hearts. But don't forget, we are walking through that valley, not stopping. We have got to keep moving. We just have to. There are so many things that bring me to my knees, that hurt my soul, that make me cry out to God and just ask...Lord, why!? But those things don't have a hold on me, and if you love the Lord, they don't have a hold on you either. And why? Because, God. Is. Good. He just is. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, my cup
overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

So here we have the best part. Those enemies, the ones who hurt you, who hurt people you love, who have done unspeakable things, they will watch you eat a table prepared by the Lord and Creator of the Universe! Seriously, I dwell on this a lot, I have to. Because we are not the judge, and we don't get to decide what happens to people, only God does, and I'll be honest, that's hard for me. So when I read this passage, I have to read this with passion. And when you put this into practice, your cup? It will overflow. And I love that. You would think that after that, it can't get better, oh, but it can. 

Because then the Bible tells us that we get to dwell in the house of the Lord, forever. Forever forever, real forever. Not just for a little bit of time, but all time. 

I don't know about y'all, but this passage of scripture is one I used to take for granted, but not anymore. And I take comfort in that, as should you.