A man got scarred in the process of passing through the world. That was inevitable, that was life. Only a fool expected to dwell in paradise; nobody had a right to dodge his chores, no matter how dirty they might be. A man paid as he went.”
–Ernest Haycox (Free Grass)
“As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.”
–Proverbs 10:26 (NKJV)
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Let us take another look at Psalm 23. We don’t want to hasten away from this great Psalm, but ponder and digest what it is saying. It reminds us that God is with us continually, no matter the season of the year, no matter the season of life. “God’s care is not seasonal, but constant and abundant.” (Willem Van Demeren) This time look at it from the Amplified Version.
1 – The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
2 – He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
3 – He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
4 – Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
5 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
6 – Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
“Drop they still dew of quietness,
Till all our striving cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.”
–John Greenleaf Whittier
First, take a look at the ways that sheep quench their thirst. Philip Keller tells us that there are three ways that sheep will do that:
1) licking up the morning dew,
2) drinking water from deep wells,
3) drinking from flowing streams.
“We see here the parallels to the Christian life. The morning dew reminds us of our need for spiritual drink as we start each day; the deep wells remind us of what God supplies to deepen our spiritual life; and the flowing streams remind us of the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth.”
What a comfort we have in the Lord! Isn’t it interesting how the Lord keeps a weapon in His hand, the rod, to protect us, and He has a staff to guide and prod us. In this Psalm we see His guidance, His protection, His sustaining us throughout life, His supplying our needs, and His promise of dwelling with Him forever.
Take time to read each verse; maybe dwell on a verse a day until it is deep in your soul. Remember He is there always.
“For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of Life; and God will wipe every tear away from their eyes.”
–Revelation 7:17(AMPC)