PSALM 23 & ME
As I look back over 30+ years of missionary work in Asia, I see how God has made Psalm 23 alive in my life. He has magnified His name and His Word in and through my life.
“The Lord is my Shepherd” – Jehovah Rah (my Shepherd). God has led me out of my comfort zone to live in unfamiliar cultures halfway around the world from my American birthplace. And today…starting this blog is taking me out of my comfort zone again. But He is leading me, and I am excited to follow my Good Shepherd knowing His faithfulness that has been proven over these many years.
“I shall not want ” – Jehovah Jireh (my Provider). He has taught me to live by faith – trusting Him to provide and meet my every need. Our God knows our exact need and the exact time frame as well. Often, He has put it on someone’s heart to send an offering of the exact amount of our need a month or more ahead of the need. Due to delay in reaching us, it arrived the very day we became aware of our need. When our son, Daniel, had to be airlifted out of the mountains by helicopter for an emergency appendectomy, the bill for the medivac helicopter was received the same day as a check in the mail for the exact amount. We had never received a support check that way and the check was sent before the need even arose or anyone was aware of the need!
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Our first mission assignment was in the middle of the Cordillera Mountain range on the island of Luzon in the Philippines among the Igorot tribal people. The rice terraces of that area are considered one of the wonders of the world and look like lush green stairways to heaven. Often, I would just go out and sit on a rocky overlook and consider the majesty of God’s creation displayed around me in the grandeur of the terraced mountains.
“He leads me beside still waters” – Jehovah Shalom (my Peace).” At the time that we lived with the Igorot people, there were insurgents called the New People’s Army (NPA) trying to overthrow the Philippine Government. They often set up roadblocks and gun fights on the winding mountain roads. Many times, as we traveled, God would either delay us a bit or move us along through a dangerous area ahead of schedule. Later, we would learn that there had been an ambush along the road that day that we had avoided due to our timing coming through the area.
Once our daughter, Sharon, was trapped in a small building where she tutored some missionary children while the military and NPA had a shootout on the road right in front of the building. I watched from my window across the valley and just felt like I was encapsulated in peace – sensing God’s love and care for my family at that time. Sharon was kept in perfect peace and safety during the whole incident.
Life has many twists and turns, but God always gives us quiet resting places and sends refreshment along the way. The last three years, living without my husband, Bob, since he transitioned to heaven, have been challenging but God has been so gracious to provide all that I have need of and fresh encouragement for each new day. As the Israelites had to gather fresh manna each morning, I find myself needing a fresh provision of peace and refreshment from God as I meet with Him each morning. He graciously is my constant supply in all areas. I am humbled and amazed at His faithfulness.
I hope this is an encouragement to you. Can you see where God is at work in your life also?
I will share more insights from this Psalm in my next blog post.
