Psalm 23 was a passage in my Bible that stayed fairly mark free until the last few years...
Over the past couple of years as my journey has taken me through a very difficult, despairing, and dark season... God has taken this passage and nestled it deep into my heart and soul. It became my "go to" Scripture during some very difficult days!
The following is how it is now marked up in my Bible... Part 2
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Ps. 23:4d "...I will fear no evil...."
* Doesn't say there won't be evil, it just promises that I will not need to fear it. Why? Read on...
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Ps. 23:4e -5 "for You are with me; your rod and your 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.
- No need to fear because He is with me. He is attending to me, comforting me. He is making provision for me. He is covering me. He is filling me. Yes, even surrounded by enemies (can be discouragement, despair, depression, condemnation, etc. The enemies of my soul aren't always human flesh and blood.)... He cares for and is with me-- casting away all need to fear.
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Ps. 23: 6a "Surely goodness and love (mercy) will follow me..."
* follow = Hebrew word means "to chase"
* Surely = (confidence that it will) goodness and love/mercy will chase me all the days of my life... that must mean...even into today?!
"No matter what comes, goodness and mercy will be in the picture." ~From study "Grace: An invitation to a way of life~Are you aware and able to see the companions that are chasing you and accompanying you into your day today?
Goodness. Mercy. Love.
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Ps. 23: 6b "all the days of my life"
Gen. 39: 3 "When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did..."
Gen. 39: 20b-21b "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor..."
Gen. 39: 23b " The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did."
Those same companions accompanied (followed, chased) Joseph into and through his days. His years. In prison. In his exile. Even there the Lord brought him goodness, mercy, love, favor.
Run freely and confidently into this day knowing full well you are being chased and accompanied by His Goodness. His Love. His Mercy.
HIM...
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Ps. 23: 6c "and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
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Is there any part of this that has encouraged or challenged your own heart?
What else do you see in Psalm 23:4-6 that makes it real and applicable for your life today?
And just curious, are you one to write and make notes in your Bible as well?
THANKS
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