Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

   He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

   He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

   For His names’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

   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 goodness and mercy shall follow me

   All the days of my life,

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

This is probably the most familiar Psalm to everyone and there’s so much packed in it.  It says so much about David and his walk with God.  He knew that even though there were great times in life there would also be times that would overwhelm so he learned to listen closely to God through both.  

During those times when you are on your mountaintop do you pick up your pace in life or do you take the time to refresh yourself in your walk with God?  Do you get intentional about spending more time with Him or do you go at breakneck speed trying not to miss out on anything?  For example, when you go on vacation do you spend it packing so much in that you are going from morning to night or do you take some of that time and opportunity to get alone with God?  Is He a priority or do you leave Him at church?  God wants to take those times when you are not overwhelmed by struggles in life to continue to help you grow in your walk with Him and He wants to use you to help those who are struggling in their walk as well.  That may not seem convenient, but sometimes when you are on the mountaintop, God may be asking you to reach out to those who are hurting and show them His love.  Don’t miss out because you feel as though you are going through a time when you aren’t desperate for His help!

If you feel as though you are walking through the “shadow of death” I would like to encourage you that not only will He vindicate you but He will do His best to keep you on the right path (rod and staff) so you will make it to those “green pastures” of rest again.  Whatever you are facing, it didn’t come to stay ~ it came to pass and He will walk with you through that valley and or raging storm if you will allow Him to.  He doesn’t want you to be fearful, He wants to comfort you and give you His confidence.  He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and you must seek His face and His plan and He will get you through to the other side of this!  Trust Him!  Seek His face!

Wherever you are in life today, allow Him to guide you and to be your strength.  Trust Him with absolutely every detail of your life.  Seek His face and His plan and follow Him so you can know that His best is yet to come in your life!

Quote:  “When you have a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.”  ~ William James