PSALM 23 & ME PART 3
“Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” When I have felt isolated and alone, living overseas and missing the support and comfort of home, family, and friends, I have experienced a deeper drawing of my spirit into the things of God. My meditation of Him has been sweet and He has satisfied my need for fellowship. As our children grew up and went back to the United States to attend Bible College, they experienced God’s comfort, protection, and provision for their emotional and physical needs as well.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” – Jehovah Nissi (my Banner). After years of prayer and waiting, God opened a door for my husband and me to work in Communist North Vietnam. There were many restrictions to our work there, but we could demonstrate the love of God through our daily lives. We were watched constantly and often followed around but all the better for unbelievers to see the reality and consistency of our walk of faith and dependency on God. They saw firsthand how God would empower us, heal us, protect us, and provide for us.
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” No boundaries or restrictions can stop the moving of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of needy men and women. God gave us joy in having the privilege every day to rub shoulders with people who had never heard the name of Jesus. We laughed with them, worked with them, sweated with them, cried with them, and shared life with them. In building relationships, questions were asked, and prayers were raised. Seeds were planted. Our lives were the only Bible most of them would ever know. What an awesome privilege and responsibility we were given!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Goodness and mercy are speaking of the unfailing covenant love of God, divine enablement, and help in time of need. “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain: yet I labored more abundantly, yet not I, but the grace (goodness and mercy) of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
We all demonstrate this grace in tangible, powerful ways to those who watch our lives. We should not seek to hide our weaknesses. “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain,” the apostle Paul tells us. Recognize how God’s grace fits into every minute of your day. When you face overwhelming circumstances, know the grace is there to reveal God’s glory and character in our weakness. I am expectant for the days ahead. They are different from any I have known in the past, but God has not changed, and He has an ongoing plan and purpose for my life and each life. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work!” 2 Corinthians 9:8 Amazing, isn’t it?!
“And I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.” Great news! God’s covenant love sustains us. Wherever we live, whatever He gives us to do. We have the assurance of His presence and love. “Forever” goes beyond this life. Truly He is the Good Shepherd that cares for our souls and continues to lead us into His special purposes “to infinity and beyond”! To God be the glory!
So, this is my story of how Psalm 23 applies in my life. What stood out to you?
Which verse do you want to apply in a fresh way or see God work it into your life?
God bless you!
