Psalm 23 (NRSV)
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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
“He leads me beside still waters” as we journey together, my shepherd and I. Life is as full of sorrow and turmoil as it is of joy and happiness. Sometimes it might even seem as though there are nothing but hills and valleys, no even ground. But walking wet, imbued with living water, it is a comfort to know that there is always a place where I can find solace, where I retreat from and gain renewed strength for the rigors of the day. I can bring others to walk beside me and we can ponder together the water that brings life, that is life, that washes us clean even as it restores and refreshes us together.
Prayer
Precious Lord, you are our solace, our strength. You restore us and refresh us. Now send us where you will. Amen.