Psalm 23

1. The Lord is my shepherd....
The Lord looks after me. He is my carer. He is more than able to take care of me and He is 100% faithful, 100% Good and a 100% Love. He is The Good Shepherd.

 
I shall not want. 
How can I be in lack when The Lord Himself is my carer, my shepherd? I will want no good thing!


2. He makes me to lie down…
In the knowledge of His love for me, He causes me to surrender to Him….  I am sold out and all in. He calls me to cast all of my cares, all of my fears, all of my worries and all of my burdens upon Him. He causes me to trust in Him and His Love for me.


In green pastures. 
He establishes me in the right place. A place that has bountiful provision, primarily spiritually.

 
He leads me…
He purposely and intentionally directs me.


beside the still waters
The Lord Purposely and intentionally leads me away from trouble. Away from a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow and other dangers! He leads me to His Peace!!!


3. He restores my soul;
He redeems my soul and saves me from damnation. He heals my body. He heals my mind. He heals my emotions! He heals my soul! He mends my broken heart and sets me free to be who He intended me to be. He saves me from corruption and leads me to know and do His will.


He leads me in the paths of Righteousness. 
The Lord purposely directs my feet by His word and His Holy Spirit. "His word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". Psalm 119:105 

His word leads me where He wills and desires me to go. Into the purpose He has for me. The Lord who has begun a good work in me, will complete it. He is ABLE!


for His name sake! 
Why? Because I belong to The Lord. I am adopted into a Royal Priesthood and a Holy family. Because I am now a member of His household and am His child and a citizen of heaven! Because I am His witness and His own!!! 1Peter 2:9-10.
 

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…. 
The Lord has not led me here. Pay attention to the “I”! “I” am here due to the sins of the past and the consequences of sin. I am here because of my mistakes, disobedience and rebellion. Yet, this place is only the “valley of the shadow of death” and not “Death” itself. 

“The valley of the shadow of death” is sometimes a "spiritual desert" where I am molded and shaped by the Lord if I submit and choose to stop going my own way. This can be the turning point towards victory and overcoming!


I will fear no evil for you are with me.
The Lord will never leave me or forsake me! He is with me even unto the end of the age! Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5. There is still hope in this place because He walks with me! When the waters threaten to cover me or when I walk through fire I will not be destroyed. Isaiah 43: 2. The Lord is with me and an ever present help in my time of need! Psalms 46:1. Because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken! I will not fear!


Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Like the prodigal son, the Lord still watches for us and loves us regardless of our imperfections and sins, however because we are the Lord’s, He will rebuke and chastise us if we need it. If we were not rebuked or chastised we will be lost because there will be no one to correct our paths. Revelation 3:19. 

Even in the Valley of the shadow of death however, I know you are with me because your word says so… I hear your Holy Spirit direct me to seek your face and repent! You reveal your word to me and your Holy Spirit teaches and comforts me! You hold me and you will never let me go because of your great love and faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22, 23.  

I am comforted because I know you are chastising me as you do your legitimate children who you love. Revelation 3:19. You are using this time in the “shadow of death” for my own good because YOU LOVE ME!


5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
The Lord openly and generously blesses me with physical and spiritual blessings and gifts. He does not withhold good from me even though I have just passed through the “Valley of the shadow of Death”. The time spent "in the valley of the shadow of death" with the Lord has enabled me to recognise and receive the Lord's blessings. With a Father’s love, The Lord provides all of my needs.


You anoint me with oil 
The Lord prepares me for the gifts He gives me and prepares me to do his good work! He enables me to receive the blessings He has bestowed upon my life and creates in me the heart and mind to do His will with the time and resources He has provided.


My cup runs over! 
God gives me more than enough and I have enough to share with others. I am a cheerful and generous giver. I can be because I rely on His never ending supply.


6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life! 
For as long as I live on this earth, God’s goodness and mercy will chase me down and catch me over and over! It will not fail me! I will share God’s goodness and mercy with others!


And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever!
As a result of God’s constant goodness and mercy following and chasing me down all my life, I will be transformed and transported from sin to righteousness. From death to live. From bankrupt emotionally and spiritually into a blessing to others! He will enable me to show forth His goodness and mercy to others. 

Being thus transformed, when my time on this Earth is at an end, I will go to Heaven and be with the Lord for all eternity!!!

Amen 
Let it be so!


Blessings;-)

Audra