PSALM 23
We all know the 23rd Psalm - or at least some parts of it. It's like the Lords Prayer or John3:16 - we memorized it as a child and it's locked in there for good. Our memorization might get a little rusty as we get older... ("Did I already have my coffee this morning?...Better have another just in case.")
Anyway, I recently was studying the 23rd Psalm with a precious friend of mine. She pointed out something to me that I NEVER noticed!!
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for His Name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
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 Your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Did you notice it?? It happens in verse 4 where David talks about us walking through a valley. Notice he says "through" not "to." God doesn't bring us TO a hard place only to leave us there. He doesn't say, "Okay, this week's gonna be a toughy. See ya when it's over." No!! He doesn't drop us off at the valley, He guides us THROUGH it!
That's why David changes from talking in third person speech to the second person. Go on. Scroll up and take a look at the first 4 verses.
The switch from "He" to a more intimate "You" happens in verse 4 because it's there that something deep happened between him (David) and God. This is the whole reason for a valley - for something deep to happen. For growth to happen. Trust.
It's easy to talk ABOUT God when we are in the green pastures and everything is hunky-dory-do! But are you like me and you find yourself talking TO God when you're in the dangerous ravine, the lonely place, the scary fire?
Wow. So true. Ponder that for a minute. In the light, we feel happy, secure enough to wander off in the nice green grass we find ourselves in. But in the dark?...
Beloved, hug His knee. That's all our Shepherd wants.
