shadow

Our Great Shepherd: Even in the Valley

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Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages of Scripture. Its words have been sung, prayed, and illustrated in countless ways, but if we’re not careful we can become so well acquainted with these verses that we forget the power these words hold. To recognize God as our Shepherd means we also have to accept that we are indeed like sheep: dirty, defenseless and helpless. Without a shepherd, the sheep are left to their own devices, which ultimately will lead them to starve, wander off, or be attacked. This week, let’s slow it down, remind ourselves that we are sheep in need of a loving Shepherd.

 

Even in the Valley

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 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.

Psalm 23:4-5

ThursdayAs a kid, I was a “happy Bible verse only” kind of reader. Anytime something sounded a little too scary, I’d zip right past it, and these verses were ones that I zipped right past most of the time. The valley of the shadow of death? Evil? My enemies? Regardless of what other words were in the verses, those words were enough for me to just trail off until I found something more positive.

Having grown up a few years and now experienced the valley of the shadow of death, evil, and the presence of enemies, I no longer skip through these verses. They hold deep truths for me, truths that have held me through dark nights and fearful moments while far from home.

The valley is deep and dark, and the verse does not read “IF I walk through the valley.” Living in a fallen world means that, unfortunately, we will experience the shadows. We will walk through death, despair, grief, persecution, heartbreak and depression. Things will be far from perfect, and there may be times when we can’t see a way out.

But we will walk through it. We won’t be lost in the valley, and we make it through to the other side. Our Shepherd will guide, sustain, and defend us with His rod and staff. We will find comfort in the everlasting arms of our Shepherd. The victory is ours because He has won it for us, and He invites us into His victory at His table. We will feast in the presence of our enemies, and victory will never be taken from us.

Sometimes it seems like our trudge through the dark valley will never end and we begin to lose hope, but even the faintest of lights overpowers darkness – we must not forget the power of Christ within us! We follow a Shepherd who has walked through the valley before us, and He keeps a close hand on us as a safe and certain guide through our darkest times.

Chelsey

Our Great Shepherd: Paths of Restoration

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Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages of Scripture. Its words have been sung, prayed, and illustrated in countless ways, but if we’re not careful we can become so well acquainted with these verses that we forget the power these words hold. To recognize God as our Shepherd means we also have to accept that we are indeed like sheep: dirty, defenseless and helpless. Without a shepherd, the sheep are left to their own devices, which ultimately will lead them to starve, wander off, or be attacked. This week, let’s slow it down, remind ourselves that we are sheep in need of a loving Shepherd.

 

Paths of Restoration

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness or his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3

WednesdayI have a lot in common with sheep in that I’m really good at getting lost. I can’t use a map and without a GPS, I could make it home from very few places in a normal amount of time.

In this verse, “restore” can mean a lot of different things, all things that our souls desperately need from our Shepherd. It can mean that he refreshes our souls, and that He reenergizes us. It can also mean that he brings us back, specifically from our mistakes and wanderings.

We are so prone to wander, to seek out another way to find fulfillment, or to let someone else define us. And God is so gracious to show us our errors and to bring us back to His flock, every single time. Without His restoration, we would wander endlessly onto dangerous paths.

His restoration leads us to paths of righteousness, and these paths lead us to Him. He is gracious to bring us back, and He shows grace upon grace as He teaches us the best way to live.

The paths of righteousness He leads us in may not seem “safe” to the human eye because they may include financial risks, third world countries, or people we have decided are dangerous. In reality these are the most secure paths for us, because our Shepherd has already walked through them and prepared them for us.

As His Spirit enables us to continue choosing His ways of righteousness, we bring glory to His name. Walking in His paths demonstrates his mercy in bringing us back to the fold, His faithfulness to provide and His goodness to protect.

You need not fear the journey because walking with you is a Shepherd who promises to both restore and lead you!

Chelsey

Our Great Shepherd: Stopping to Rest

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Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages of Scripture. Its words have been sung, prayed, and illustrated in countless ways, but if we’re not careful we can become so well acquainted with these verses that we forget the power these words hold. To recognize God as our Shepherd means we also have to accept that we are indeed like sheep: dirty, defenseless and helpless. Without a shepherd, the sheep are left to their own devices, which ultimately will lead them to starve, wander off, or be attacked. This week, let’s slow it down, remind ourselves that we are sheep in need of a loving Shepherd.

 

Stopping to Rest

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2

TuesdayOne of the things that sticks out to me about this verse is the word “makes.” He makes me lie down in green pastures. Sheep are pretty dumb creatures; if you don’t make them lie down to rest, they won’t do it on their own. The Bible referring to us as “sheep” makes more and more sense the more you think about it, doesn’t it?

We work, work, and work until we finally collapse on our bed to “unwind” with some mindless social media browsing and Netflix binges. We try to please one person after another and attempt to be everything for everyone in our lives until we break down. We don’t take a break until we are forced to, and even then we aren’t always thrilled about it. We may even feel guilty about sitting down to take a breath from our responsibilities.

But what a beautiful truth that our Shepherd never tires of creating spaces for us to rest and never tires of making us stop to enjoy that rest! As a part of God’s flock, we are safe under His care and freed from our anxieties because of His protection. Our confidence in His protection allows us to enjoy the simple pleasures He leads us into – the abundance of a green pasture and the peace and refreshment of the quiet stream.

God is constantly leading us into His peace, His rest, and His provisions. We don’t have to feel guilty when we take our rest seriously – because our Shepherd takes our rest seriously too! He has created it for us, and He leads us to it every single day.

Don’t simply pass through the green pastures, abide in them. There you will find peace and restoration you need for the journey ahead. Let the Shepherd lead you into His rest and His peace.

Chelsey