Psalm 23 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Verse 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
Verse 3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Verse 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.
Verse 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Verse 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Devotion
Growing up on our farm in Wisconsin, my sister and I would take turns blindfolding each other and leading each other around our big farm yard. After awhile we would ask the one who was blindfolded to guess where they were. On that large farm lawn there weren’t many hazards. Still, we had to trust that the one who was leading would not venture anywhere that would put either of us in danger. The Psalmist expresses trust in the leading of God. Life has a lot more pitfalls than that farmyard; it has enemies of all kinds, destructive paths, even death itself. Yet the outcome is sure: Because of the resurrection of Jesus, eternity is ours. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Dear God our Shepherd, give us the faith of the psalmist, that we too may trust in your leading. Amen.