Nearing the evening, fear likes to invite itself onto my chest. He has waited all day and now has my full attention. The light is fading, the sun is setting below the trees. My throat tightens, my breathing gets more shallow, and I feel my body tense. Anxiety and fear loom in the darkness like uninvited guests. They hide out in the corners of my mind and propel themselves forward when I start to settle into my night.
Psalm 23 provides a respite for unsettled souls. This psalm is a deluge of grace-filled waters, washing over our skeptic souls. Don’t wander any longer, daughter, this psalm cries out. Don’t fret a second longer. Just take each of those fretful thoughts and slow. them. down.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” I lay my head down for rest, knowing that God is my protector, my provider, Other versions of this verse state that having the Lord as our shepherd, “[we] lack nothing.” The Message says, “I don’t need a thing.” As I remember all the words God has spoken over his people, God really has given us everything we need. Just speaking these words over myself, I feel God’s comfort. Like sheep near their shepherd, God keeps us close.
A Psalm 23 Plea
Panic permeates my paltry mind.
Tears are my nightly song and make me blind.
Accepting this load as mine to bear,
Solo, I imagine, in disrepair.
Where is my hope and joy, my faithful love?
Hovering, out of reach, just up above.
Why am I believing this dismal lie?
Quieting the thoughts, I heave a loud sigh.
Eternal Love answers my mournful plea,
He asks, dearest heart, what more do you need?
When Prince of Lies sneers, God has departed
God says, I am nearest to you, broken-hearted.
I am here, by your side, always with you;
The darkest valley we will travel through.
If more peace is what you crave, look to me.
Let peace cover you like the shore at sea.
My rivers flow freely, sustaining dry ground.
Come to me, thirsty one, stop looking around.
My pastures are greenest right where you are.
Lush meadows right here, underneath the stars.
My fears said I was a sheep led to slaughter,
But God calls me his own beloved daughter.
Just to behold his glorious face,
My cup is filled with waters of grace.
I will not fear, for You are with me.
Perfect love casts out fear and sets free.
Pray With Me
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being our shepherd, chasing down every sheep you call your own with goodness, mercy, and love. When fears bombard our minds and hearts, when the darkest valley wants to swallow us whole, we plea for quiet waters and green pastures.
Lord, we do not deserve anything from you, but you love to give our souls a quiet place to rest. Thank you for being so good to us. Thank you for taking us into your flock and protecting us from every evil.
Please forgive us for not trusting you with our whole hearts or trusting the plans you have for our lives. When the mountains overwhelm us and the seas sweep us to the ocean floor, please forgive our hardened, doubtful hearts for continuing to do it our own way. Thank you for meeting our humanness with your divine grace and forging a way to meet us more than halfway in your son Jesus.
God, our hearts long to be under your roof. Sheltered by the strength of your solid right hand. We long to be in the presence of a loving God who will stay with us patiently as we wrestle every fear that fools us.
Thank you for filling our cups to overflowing, filled up and over with grace, kindness, and forgiveness. We would be lost without you, our good shepherd, leading the way. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen.
Your Turn
When you are running and running and running, what do still waters and quiet pastures look like for you?
Close your eyes, breathe in, breathe out. Open the palms of your hands. Imagine God placing his hands on your hands, then leading you to your quiet place. Imagine his face smiling at you, excited to get one-on-one time with you. Hear him say, “Beloved, let me lead you; no more worrying about [x,y,z] right now. Put that to the side and just be with me.“
Amen and amen.
