Psalm 23
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4Even 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.
5You prepare a table before me
inthe presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
1) I become very introspective and fall deeper into a distorted outlook on life.
2) I try to "fix" my problems by turning to other things (books, movies, food, whatever).
This morning my wife and I read Psalm 23 together. It was a breath of fresh air.There are three things that I've been thinking about as I've been reading (and re-reading) Psalm 23.
Everybody walks through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
As Christians we sometimes believe that we are somehow "immune" to suffering or hardship. By suffering and hardship I mean the "big issues" like disease, death and poverty and the "smaller issues" like relational stress, emotional pain, etc.
We are living in what the apostle Paul calls this "present evil age". You and I are constantly comparing ourselves to other people, wondering whether anyone really accepts us, struggling with our self -image, and a wide ocean of other difficult things. I don't care who you are-you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
We all try to find comfort and support from things
If only I had more money in the bank account everything would be ok. If only I had more friends I wouldn't have such a low view of myself.We believe that a new car will help our self-esteem. We think that a hefty retirement package will assuage the fear and trembling we experience in the present moment. As relational human beings, we were created to relate to something during times of distress. More often than not, we turn to things in this world that seem to give us hope to overcome what is presently taking over us.
Instead of turning to other things, we have to realize that only God can bring us the comfort and support we really need
Verse 6 is beautiful.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
In the midst of walking through the valley of the shadow of death, David realizes that nothing in all creation will be there for him except God. Financial gain, sexual pleasure, material comfort- none of these - can provide the comfort and support that David longs for in the midst of his hectic existence.
As it is for us. We will look for comfort and support in tangible possesions that promise many things. It is not that finances, sex or material possessions are evil in and of themselves. They are actually wonderful things created by God. They can bring us joy and delight, but not the comfort and support that out souls long for.
David knew that the valley of the shadow of death would not ultimately crush him because God was with him. David was referring to God's intimate gospel-presence.No matter what David was experiencing, he knew his life was ultimately framed within the context of God's presence - and this presence would bring him reliable comfort and support.
Like David, let us praise God that he has come to be with us in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ knows our sufferings and hardships far better than we could ever articulate. Not only is Jesus present among us- he is willing and able to comfort and support us.
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