Psalm 23:6 Forever Home

Surely your [God’s] goodness and love will follow 

me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the 

house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

This post is in memory of my precious Aunt JoAnne, who stepped through the gates into the house of the LORD on Friday evening, July 26, 2019.

David ends this psalm with confidence and praise. How can he do differently? His praise for his Shepherd has flowed from every verse.

• God is David’s provider (Psalm 23:1).
• God brings David to places of peace and refreshes his soul (Psalm 23:1-3a). 
• God guides David in the right way when he has decisions to make. (Psalm 23:3a).
• God encourages and strengthens David, even when he walks through dark times; His presence comforts him during hardship and difficulty. (Psalm 23:4b).
• God sustains David when he faces dangerous enemies and fills him to overflowing with His grace (Psalm 23:5).

Like David, we can experience God’s peace, guidance, presence, and love, no matter our circumstances. 

David doesn’t qualify his statements to match his circumstances. I do that too often. I acknowledge God’s peace when things are going well and I feel His presence when I’m on the mountain top.

During dark times, I sometimes allow despair to capture my mind and I often accuse God of leaving me to suffer alone.

We can claim the promise of David’s words: God’s goodness and love follow us every day of our lives. Not just on sunny days, not only when life is easy, but every day!

And when our days end, we can know that we know that we will step into His House and live with Him forever. We can cling to the promise that we will join our family and friends who have gone before us.

When I step into eternity, my mom, my parents-in-love, my grandparents, my Aunt JoAnne, and so many other loved ones will be waiting for me and we will rejoice with Jesus forever.

In my next post, we close out our journey through Psalm 23 and mine the gems that await us as we apply it to our daily lives. 


How do David's words in Psalm 23:6 increase your confidence in God?

Psalm 23:5 Sit at God's Table

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

This is my favorite verse in Psalm 23. Why? Because it reveals God's grace and loving care, and it doesn't depend on me or on my choices.

God is faithful and true to His character, whether we are faithful or not. Even in our disobedience, God is with us and cares for us.

David knows a lot about enemies, even though he is young. He serves King Saul who is plagued by evil spirits and, quite often, Saul turns against him and attacks him. As David gets older, he leads King Saul's armies out to face Israel's fierce enemies and defeats them. 

Through it all, David relies on God. He doesn't assume God will give him earthly victory, but he knows God is there to sustain him and to provide protection for him. 


You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 
What a comforting picture, especially when we feel like we are surrounded by enemies. He prepares a table - a table where we can sit and catch our breaths for a bit. 
A table full of the food of Scripture to sustain us. A table with the cooling, refreshing water of His presence to encourage us.  

You anoint my head with oil.
Oil symbolizes richness, honor; it shows how much the anointer cherishes the person he anoints. 
God Himself anoints David. 
God Himself anoints us as we sit at His table. He expresses how cherished we are to Him. Though we might be surrounded by enemies, He anoints us with the richness of His strength, courage, and the assurance of certain victory in Christ. 

My [David's] cup overflows.
David could make no greater statement of faith and gratitude to his Lord. 
How often do I praise God for His goodness in the midst of my enemies?
Even in difficult circumstances, our cups overflow with God's love, sustaining power, and strength. When we are exhausted, we are refreshed and restored by His presence. 

What tender care the Father bestows on us in our time of need. Often we're too focused on the need to see how much He cherishes us. A deep love that led Jesus to the cross and anoints us with His presence every day.

How has God fed you at His table in difficult times? 

Dark Valley: Psalm 23:4

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. Psalm 23:4

Dark valleys. We all walk through them. Sadness, fear, pain, anger... 

Many commentators believe David wrote this psalm when he was young, perhaps when he was Saul's companion. How could a young man know about dark valleys?

David drew on his experience as a shepherd to proclaim the faithfulness of God.  Even though he was young, David had faced dangers out in the fields with herds of sheep. When he stood before Goliath, he was confident that God was with him because he'd experienced God's presence when lions and bears attacked his flock of sheep.

When our lives are attacked from the outside, we, too, can trust in God's presence. Our dreams might be attacked by divorce, illness, or loss of a job. When these things happen, fear and anger can attack our hearts. We can stand as David did by the assurance in God's presence in the past and choosing to be confident in the present. 

David relied on the comfort of God's rod and staff. This seems odd to us because we think of a rod as an instrument of punishment. David knew that the rod and staff were actually instruments of protection and guidance. How many times had he rescued his sheep from a dangerous situation with the crook of his staff? How often had he blocked the sheep's path with his rod when they headed in the wrong direction and had forced them back onto the safe path?

We, also, can rely on God's guidance. Sometimes we are aware of when He rescues us from the danger of a wrong choice; often, we aren't. Perhaps we sense when God blocks our path if we head down the easy way of compromise or ungodly pleasure; sometimes we don't. Regardless, we are assured of His love and care for us. We know He guides and protects us if we choose to accept them. 

David described his relationship with God: 

• Complete confidence 
• Reliance on Him 
• Security in His presence 
• Rest in His guidance 
• Comfort in His sovereignty

Do we describe our relationships with God in the same way? We, too, can walk in confidence, reliance, security, rest, and comfort, if we choose to trust Him.  

When have you stepped into danger or followed a risky path? How did God protect you?

Please share your thoughts!

  

Psalm 23:3 Need Restored?

He [God] restores my soul; He leads me in the paths

of righteousness for His name's sake. Psalm 23:3

Interesting. David chooses to be content. He rests in the beauty and peace of green pastures and still waters. Yet, his soul needs to be restored.

David was betrayed, persecuted, experienced the heartbreak of his sin, and suffered at the hands of his own family. Through all of this, David knew where to find restoration for his soul: my shepherd...restores my soul.

God's restoration feels like an overflow of peace, a fountain of joy, an explosion of love. It doesn't erase pain, fear, or weariness but it fills us with God's strength to walk through life.

When we walk through hard times, we can turn to God. He restores our hearts, minds, and souls. He turns turmoil into trust, panic into peace, unrest into rest.

Sometimes, when times are difficult, we have trouble sleeping. One night. as I lay awake with my mind in turmoil, I got up to find my soft-bound Bible. I crawled back in bed and cradled it against my chest. Before long, I relaxed and fell asleep. This became a nightly ritual. I didn't consciously ask God for restoration but, in His grace, He gave me rest. 

When we hide from tomorrow, God is with us. When we struggle with sorrow, God hugs us. When we shake with fear, He surrounds us. He is there, every moment, to restore our souls. 

A restored soul...what does that have to do with a path of righteousness?

When our hearts, minds, and souls are restored, our relationships with God are enriched. The closer we walk to Him, the more we love Him and want to obey Him. 

But, just like we've seen before, walking with Him and obeying Him is a choice. He wants to lead us down a path that is best for us, but we have to choose to follow.

When we're rested, at peace, and strengthened, sometimes we're tempted to think we can make it on our own. We can make our own decisions. We head down our own path. Often, when I go off my own way, I'll look behind me and tell God to catch up.

Shocker, He doesn't. His desire is that I follow Him, not the other way around. 

When I truly allow Him to restore my soul, I want nothing more than to be with Him. I am hungry for His Word and eager to serve Him. My heart is full of gratitude for what He has done for me.

This is righteousness: hunger for Him, service, gratitude, love. When I focus on these, he leads me in His perfect way.

When has God restored your heart and soul?

When have you traveled your own path and how did He bring you back to Him? 

Share your thoughts!

Two Wrong Choices: Psalm 23:2

This is the second post in my series on Psalm 23.

To see the first post, click here.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters Psalm 23:2

Green pastures…quiet waters.

A picture of a peaceful time with God.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

Make is the operative word here, friends.

Even though it sounds like a done deal, we always have the choice to say “no.” I can tell you from personal experience, that’s not wise. You don’t want to refuse God because He will MAKE you.

When my girls were little, I foolishly decided that it was a good time to graduate school. Needed my head examined, right?

So, there I was, spending my days as the mother of two preschool girls. And my nights, (you know, when you supposed to sleep) pouring over books.

Time with my husband fit in there somewhere. And, in between yawns, I prepared to teach on Sunday mornings.  

If God was telling me to slow down, I couldn't hear Him over the noise of the train barreling down the tracks – straight at me.

Then it happened: I had a seizure.

During the hours in the emergency room, God said, loud and clear, “I am making you lie down!”

While the doctors tried to stabilize my medicines, I couldn't drive. College went on the back burner. I became a stay-at-home Mom – literally.

I chose to ignore His “Make” and, finally, He made me anyway.

When you hear His voice telling you to slow down and look for a green-pasture time with Him, go along with it. Don’t learn the hard way, like I did.

He leads me beside still waters.

The word “lead” implies there is a follower. Another choice: would I follow?

So, I was stuck at home, and not happy about it; He made me stay there. I chose to gripe and complain, and ask Him why He was doing this to me.

I refused to be quiet enough to hear the Living Water call me to follow Him along still waters.

Time went on. They couldn't get me stable, so I kept having seizures. The time I couldn't drive stretched into a seemingly endless train of months.

Finally, when I ran out of pity-party words to say, I turned to God and asked, “What are you trying to teach me?”

I heard a whisper, “Choose to follow Me. Submit to My call to green pastures. Come with me to walk beside still waters.” 

I took a deep breath and surrendered. I experienced the beauty of green meadows. I could hear His voice in the quiet of still waters.

What took me so long? Two wrong choices: I ignored the Lord and refused to follow Him. Not mistakes you want to make.

When I think about it, why did He have to MAKE me? Why didn’t I crave that precious time?

Imagine lying down on the cool grass and smelling the scent of wildflowers. Imagine the peace of still waters.

God asks us to spend a few minutes letting our minds rest in His cool, beautiful presence. He offers us sweet, quiet moments in His Word, soaking our hearts in His love and wisdom.

• He loves you beyond anything you can imagine.
• He desires to see you relax in the green pastures of His presence.
• He calls you to revel in the quiet of His Word.

Choose Him and you will find peace and beauty.

How has God made you lie down?

Have you found the peace of green pastures and still waters?

Do You Really Want A Shepherd?

This post is a repeat of my 10/2019 post. It's been so long I decided to start the series again. :)

The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not want Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my Shepherd.

An amazing truth; an unchangeable fact.

If you have accepted Jesus’ forgiveness and are building a relationship with Him, He is your Shepherd.

Most of us picture a gentle Jesus carrying a lamb, with sheep gathered around Him. But really, when is life peaceful?

Bills, kids, work issues, to-do list at home, the list goes on. We might feel overwhelmed by the daily problems or decisions we face.

How wonderful to know that our Shepherd is right by our side to calm us, to strengthen us, and to guide us. We can say, as Jacob said to Joseph in Genesis 48:15, “God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day.”

Jesus never takes a breath. He never tires of hearing your voice. He loves you beyond your wildest imagination.

We never walk alone; our Shepherd is continually with us.

I shall not want.

David didn’t end with the calm assurance that the Lord is my Shepherd, he proclaimed his choice to be satisfied with the life his Shepherd gave Him.

Wait a minute. I’d like to focus on the shepherd part and not acknowledge my responsibility stated in the second part of this verse. Do I simply want a shepherd who will care for me, or do I want a shepherd who expects me to follow him? 

Jesus is our faithful Shepherd, but we must choose to rest in his guidance and be satisfied with His provision.

I’ve got a great husband, a nice house, a reliable car, two perfect grandchildren, three fun grandpets, and a dog who loves me unconditionally.

But…

I see bigger houses and I want them. Surely they come with a maid!

I’ve always dreamed of having a Ferrari. My little Ford doesn’t cut it. Give me a bright red sports car!

Of course, I’m being frivolous, but, sometimes, I focus on what I don’t have rather than the unbelievable blessings that surround me. Too often, I live in a grass-is-always-greener world.

David was content with the blessings God gave him, no matter the circumstances.

• When he hid in a cave to escape men who wanted to kill him, David was at peace with his Shepherd (Psalm 57).
• When he and Bathsheba’s baby died, David recognized the justice of God’s punishment and was confident that God would forgive him a give him another son (Psalm 51).
• When his own son seized his throne and David had to flee Jerusalem, he was satisfied with the Lord’s provision (Psalm 3).

Paul expressed the same faith in Philippians 4:11, For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.

What does it mean to say, “I shall not want.”?

• We choose to be satisfied with what God provides, no matter how small.
• We choose to accept His guidance, even though we might not agree with His leading.
• We choose to follow where He leads, even though we might wish to go elsewhere.

Yes, that’s hard. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ll never reach this perspective. Through the difficulties in our lives, we can learn this one thing:

My Shepherd can be trusted with my life!

He [the Lord] tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs up in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

Let’s share: How do you see Jesus’ ministry as your Shepherd in your life?