If, in response to yesterdays reading, we want a model of care – both of ourselves and others. We are given a perfect example in this best known of Psalms.
God’s way to care is to stay with us wherever we go.
To allow us to rest, perhaps encourage us to – a worn out sheep will not complete the journey. Do I take time to rest in peace and quiet? To take time and rest with God? Or am I so busy rushing around, even for him, that I never time time to rest and allow him to restore my soul?
Lord, may I rest in you, let you feed me, heal me, restore me and equip me for the journey.
God will lead me in the right paths. However wrong or scary they feel to me, however much I doubt his wisdom, however much I would prefer life to be going in a different direction; somehow, can I hold tight to his hand and walk with him? Can I trust him and allow him to lead me? Or will I insist that I know better, try and take him my way or run off to follow my own path?
Lord, may I be brave enough to walk with you, trust enough to follow you, allow you to lead me and follow your way.
There are valleys, deep and dark. They hurt, they terrify me, I’d really rather not go that way.
Lord, help me to remember, that however dark the way, you walk with me, Holding tightly to me, knowing my fear, sharing it, in it with me, never leaving me alone.
Lord, may I cling to the safety of you, and allow you to guide me through.
Thank you Lord for the good times. The times of blessing, of joy, abundance, when my cup overflows.
May I not forget you in those times, but rejoice with you and thank you. Thank you that I am a guest at your feast
Thank you Lord, that your kindness and love are with me every day – good, bad or indifferent; that you walk with me every step of my journey, however good and pleasant or difficult and arduous. Thank you that I can trust in you – always. Thank you
Psalm 23 (CEV)
(A psalm by David.)
The Good Shepherd
23 You, Lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields
of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
3 and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.
4 I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
but I won’t be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd’s rod
makes me feel safe.
5 You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love
will always be with me
each day of my life,
and I will live forever
in your house, Lord.
