Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Scripture: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
For Thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Devotion:
When you pick up a really tiny baby, they do nothing to clench their muscles or help with the lifting. They rest entirely in your arms, allowing you to do all the work. One of Maeve’s favorite positions is to be held in the crook of my arm belly down and to allow her arms and legs to relax and swing effortlessly. It never enters the mind of the baby not to trust the full support of the one who holds them. They fully trust the strength of your arms and the security of your embrace. Like a sack of potatoes.
Psalm 23 is often read at funerals because it provides such comfort and it empowers us to face the uncertainty of death without fear. This psalm can also be powerful in other times of our lives, and it encourages us, the readers, to fully rely on God’s strength. The image of a baby fully trusting in the arms of their parents is one that keeps coming to mind when I consider this passage. I pray that we would relish in the joy and peace of knowing that our Shepherd will truly supply our need.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
For Thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Devotion:
When you pick up a really tiny baby, they do nothing to clench their muscles or help with the lifting. They rest entirely in your arms, allowing you to do all the work. One of Maeve’s favorite positions is to be held in the crook of my arm belly down and to allow her arms and legs to relax and swing effortlessly. It never enters the mind of the baby not to trust the full support of the one who holds them. They fully trust the strength of your arms and the security of your embrace. Like a sack of potatoes.
Psalm 23 is often read at funerals because it provides such comfort and it empowers us to face the uncertainty of death without fear. This psalm can also be powerful in other times of our lives, and it encourages us, the readers, to fully rely on God’s strength. The image of a baby fully trusting in the arms of their parents is one that keeps coming to mind when I consider this passage. I pray that we would relish in the joy and peace of knowing that our Shepherd will truly supply our need.