Psalm 23

My professor for this Spiritual Formation class gave us an assignment this week to read and pray a psalm. Throughout the semester, before we begin each class, the prof opens our time together by reading a specific verse, or passage, prays that passage and then asks us to spend a few minutes contemplating how it speaks to us in that moment.

It didn't take me much time to know what Psalm I wanted to use for this blog. It is a very well known Psalm, one that is read in many different situations. So here it is:

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me along paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

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 staff

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows

Surely your love and mercy will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

I choose this Psalm because there have been many instances where I have had to lean so heavily on the promise that God, as our shepherd, would lead me through each circumstance that I was facing. I love the reminder that David gives us through this writing and find it so comforting to be able to relate to a person in Biblical times and know that not only does it apply to me but it has applied to people throughout the ages as well; in other words, it never loses its relevance. 

What we can take away from this Psalm is that God is faithful and will remain faithful to his people. He restores us, gives us strength, and leads us through the darkest valleys. 

Over this past semester, in class, we have had small groups meeting together each Thursday morning. In these groups we have been doing short Bible studies and getting to know one another better. What I have already been learning is that we can't know another persons story without getting to know the person, that we can't only look at someones outward appearance and also know what is in their heart. I have really appreciated coming to that realization and knowing that the God who has been faithful to me has also been faithful to so many of my classmates.