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
Since having a small flock of sheep of my own, I think differently about this Psalm. My farmer mentors tell me, "The only one dumber than sheep, is the one raising 'em." That is probably true about me, but I don't think that holds for our Lord. I have learned that sheep truly need a shepherd, and not a dumb one. Sheep have a tendency to get into trouble. They can make bad choices. They can stray and get lost. Not so different from us really. I reflect on nearly a quarter-century of pastoral ministry and wonder at the many times and situations these words spoke with deep meaning, sometimes when no others could-times of challenge and tragedy, guilt and shame, fear and uncertainty, grief or the celebration of a life well lived. What are your memories of the power of this Psalm?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, we need you to gather us in, lead us, and keep us this day and always. Amen.