Psalm 23

Psalm 23

A David Psalm

 ^1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction.

 ⁴ Even when the way goes through
      Death Valley,
   I'm not afraid
      when you walk at my side.
   Your trusty shepherd's crook
      makes me feel secure.

 ⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
      right in front of my enemies.
   You revive my drooping head;
      my cup brims with blessing.

 ⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
      every day of my life.
   I'm back home in the house of God
      for the rest of my life.

Today I was reflecting on this scripture, which I posted in the Message Version. I really like the Message version a lot of times, because it says things the way I think them.
I thought about the part where it says, "your trusty shepherds crook makes me feel secure." In real life, a shepherd will use his crook to pull a sheep back from the edge of a cliff , or pull it from a mess of briars and bushes. In life, we will often find ourselves at the edge of a cliff, where we are scared and don't know what to do. He brings his crook to us in the form of a family member, a pastor or a friend to help us think things through and to help pull us back from the edge of a cliff. The crook also pulls the sheep back into the herd when they try to stray. Often times the sheep will look at the crook and shepherd as being cruel or hurtful by not allowing them to do what they want, yet in all reality, the Shepherd is just trying to help and save the sheep from utter disaster.

I was also thinking about the part where it says, "you serve me a six course meal in the presence of my enemies." So often we will watch our enemies prosper and go about their way without their path being hindered. They keep lying, cheating, hurting, being selfish, yet they keep prospering. We'll look at them and wonder why God allows that. But in the end, we are going to be the ones who are feasting on God's love and peace. They will watch and be jealous. So often lately, I have wondered why people who have been in my life seem to prosper, yet they have been so hurtful to my family and I.  But when I really think about it, I realize, it is ME that is really happy. It is ME that is really enjoying life! It is ME that is getting rewarded by God's love and peace.  That is the true reward! Then in the end, we will be resting and enjoying the wonderful presence of God in Heaven!! I can't wait for that day! I love living life on this earth, because I'm with people I love and care for, but to think! No more stress, no more tears! No more pain! Just endless bliss with the One who is SO worth it all!
Blessings to everyone~