From the Psalm of the Cross, to the Psalm of the Shepherd. These two seem almost out of place together, as though written years apart, but the effect of the finished work of Jesus is just this, that we are now led up, out of the fear of evil, in paths of righteousness, with our souls restored and now, O thanks be to God! – a banquet set before us in the presence of our enemies!
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Is there someone in your life for whom you could pray this fulness, this newness, this divine watch-care? Is there someone you love whose life would change if they could say these words: “my cup overflows!”?
Pray for them today; pray through these words, known around the world. Pray that the goodness of the Lord would lead them to repentance, as assuredly His goodness does and ever will. (Romans 2:4)
There is such strength, such warfare, such victory chronicled in these 150 Psalms, but it must be said that the goodness of God is as mighty as any other weapon in His arsenal, and with me today, rejoice to know it and share it in prayer.
“I Am the Good Shepherd,” stained glass, St. John the Baptist Anglican Church
Ashville, New South Wales, photo by Toby Hudson, Wikipedia
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