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Psalm 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8

Thursday, October 3, 2013

31 Days - Joy in the 23rd Psalm

So, one of my little tasks at work is to collect the mail from the staff mailboxes in the fellowship area and take them to the mailboxes in the main office.  Today, I happened upon this quote on an article left for one of the pastors.  It just jumped off the page at me and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all evening.

To believe the Twenty-third Psalm 
is to live a life of victory, a life of joy and peace,
a life triumphant in prayer, in Bible study, in service.

-Dr. Robert C. McQuilken

Wow...read that again.  Slowly.  Let it soak in to your mind, your heart.  Think about it...  And then, read the 23rd Psalm...here, I'll put it right here:


Psalm 23
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.


Need to read that again?  It's ok, go ahead....

Now think about this...if you lived your life BELIEVING the 23rd Psalm, what would that look like?  
The Lord is my Shepherd - He leads me, guides me, protects me, provides for me.  I have no need to worry, or fear, or want.  Peace.  Joy.  Love.

He restores my soul - He gives me places to rest, moments to quiet my mind and my life and my soul.  Peace.  Contentment.  Joy.

He leads me in paths of righteousness - He teaches, reproves, corrects, gives wisdom.  He speaks to me in His Word.  He puts people in my life who speak truth in love, who keep me accountable.   Righteousness.  Holiness. Love.

I will fear no evil for you are with me - No fear of death - our own or someone else's.  No fear of evil.  He protects His own. He is always with us.  He hears our prayers. Comfort.  Love.

You prepare a table....anoint my head with oil...my cup overflows...goodness...mercy - He gives from His grace, in abundance, with love so that we can live triumphantly...so that we can give and share with others.  Grace.  Big grace!

Grace, peace, love, joy.  

Live believing the 23rd Psalm.  Pray.  Study the Word.  Serve.  Choose joy each and every day.

2 comments:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!