WATCHWORD:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Meditation:
Short, Sweet and True
Wait on, or rely upon the Lord. Do not rush to your own actions or panic when seasons of life take a turn for the worse. Seek the Lord, and wait on him. He is good and awesome and for us. Those times when things seem to be turning “for the worse” may last a few days, or they may last many years. Whatever hand you are dealt, know that God knows and is prepared for whatever may come. Let Him be your refuge and your rock, for he is ever faithful. (Verse-A-Day for May 16)
The book of Psalms is filled with short, pithy and God-blessed thoughts. So many of the chapters are ready-made prayers to offer the Lord in praise and in wisdom, and it is probably the best known part of the Old Testament. There are 150 chapters, collections of poems and songs by various authors. David, was an able poet, player of instruments and singer, who wrote 73 Psalms, and, was the one who introduced singing into temple worship. Other authors of Psalms include Moses, Solomon, Asaph (David’s choir conductor), Ethan and Heman.
You may think, “Oh, that’s interesting” or perhaps you are wondering, “So, what?” I don’t know, I just think the book of Psalms is especially interesting. So many of them are prayers, plain and simple and complete. What is your five most favorite Psalms? I’ll bet Psalm 23, the Shepherd Psalm, is on your list. It’s on mine. Here are four more of my favorites –
Psalm 121:1-4: I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 138:1-3: I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
Psalm 62:1-2: Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 46:1-7: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
But, in my mind, above all the Psalms, is the one about my Shepherd, my Lord and Savior, written by David, himself a shepherd and the son of a shepherd, who later became known as the Shepherd King of Israel. When he said, “The Lord is my Shepherd…” who was he referring to? Jehovah, the Creator God. It was Jesus the Christ who later confirmed that statement when He was God incarnate among us. This Psalm brings us peace and calmness, and a sense of security. We are His, we are the sheep of His pasture, now and forever. So be it.
Gentle Reminder:
This is the message we have heard from the beginning: we should love one another. 1 John 3:11
Closing Prayer:
As you pray Psalm 23, consider that you are a sheep in Your Shepherd’s flock. You are important to Him and He will not let you stray into evil ways. God is always there.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
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 runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. Amen.
