PSALM 23: 1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4Even 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. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Today’s Three Pearls
- He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake – v.3. This buttresses the point made in yesterday’s pearl. Everything we do with God and through God is meant for His glory as the end-game. When we are submitted to this goal, we are supported and refreshed along the way. The believer needs restoration because of the tendency to fall. Christ restores his soul and renews his mind and then leads him on the path of righteousness. The path of righteousness is narrow and not frequently walked upon; it can be windy and challenging but this is where the continual work of mind-renewal that answers the call to holiness takes place. And best of all, the Christian is being led by Christ.
- 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 – v.4: The rod is often used for prodding negligent sheep who have fallen off or who are are erring, back on the right path. Because of the inevitable danger lurking on the unknown path, the present chastisement is interpreted as an act of love. Furthermore, for every godly child, there is a light at the end of any dark tunnel beckoning them into its glow. The Christian that focuses on the light of Christ at the end of the tunnel is not afraid of the shadows caused by that light within the tunnel, everything is secondary to the light. We observe that the Christian is calm in this deep darkness, he does not panic or flail about; he walks through, he does not run about in fear. This is also the case in the darkest tunnel of death, where even death has become a shadow because Christ took away its sting; and where the transitioning Christian is not fearful or ashamed of his misdeeds, but confidently walks into Christ’s welcoming arms.
- I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever – v.6 The soul of the godly is always in the presence of God seeking grace at every turn of the day; grace for every activity, grace for direction before making a decision. When we are constantly seeking the Spirit’s help, we are doing all for God’s glory. Let us resolve to keep this reminder in our minds, God’s glory is always the end-game.
Ref: Treasury of David
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 