He brings me back to life - he refreshes my soul

 

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. - Psalm 23:2-3

It is important to note that the shepherd is the one who leads us to the quiet waters. He goes before us, preparing the path and looking out for potential dangers. The goal of the shepherd is to lead us to the well-hidden pools of cool water and luscious pasture.

Robert Alter says that verse 3 (‘he refreshes my soul’) could be interpreted more as ‘my life he brings back’ – I love that image! It is speaking not just of a refreshing, but rather of a bringing back to life – to a complete spiritual wholeness. The refreshing of our souls increases our vitality and allows us the privilege of enjoying the abundant life.

Jesus invites his followers to experience this refreshing, and he invites them to rest in him. It is in times of rest that we are refreshed and invigorated for the next part of the journey:

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The generous host

Psalm 23:5 - "He anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows."

The picture of a cup overflowing could be seen as the host being a little clumsy or even distracted, but it is meant to convey the complete opposite. God is being portrayed as being so gracious that he is not just giving the guests the bare minimum, but rather an abundance of his love and mercy. We are reminded today of God’s great generosity in giving the very best for us.

"Beloved, I will ask you now a question. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? How much would you have had in your cup?” (Charles Spurgeon)

Prayer focus: Thank you Lord that you don't offer me your love in accordance with my merit, but rather according to your immeasurable mercy and grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Our Home

Psalm 90:1 – “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home…”

When Moses wrote these words, he remembered how through everything that he had been through, God had been their help and refuge. 

We all seek our homes to be places of safety and a haven from the outside world - they offer comfort and rest, a place to be vulnerable and a safe space where we can be ourselves. Although our human 'homes' offer us a glimpse of the perfect home, we know that one day we will be able to rest in the presence of the Lord. 

God will be our true Home.

Psalm 23:6 - Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

In all trouble we should seek God

"In all trouble you should seek God. You should not set Him over against your troubles, but within them. God can only relieve your troubles if you in your anxiety cling to Him. Trouble should not really be thought of as this thing or that in particular, for our whole life on earth involves trouble; and through the troubles of our earthly pilgrimage we find God." - Saint Augustine

I am challenged by the idea of placing God in the midst of our troubles. It makes sense to me, but honestly it is something I struggle with. I am usually pleading with God to get me out of the troubles I find myself in, but Augustine suggests we invite God into the middle of the mess. What do you feel?

"Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me." - Psalm 23:4 (Complete Jerusalem Bible)

Living in Grace

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Unfailing

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..." - Psalm 23:6

There are not many things in today's world that won't eventually fail. Light bulbs will fail and blow. Batteries run out of energy and 'fail'. Cars, computers, phones, TV's, and many other electrical appliances work for a limited time period and then they fail. I guess it is just a reality of life.

However, having said this, isn't it wonderful to know that the LOVE God has for us is unfailing? It will never ever run out of steam, energy, power or cease to exist. God's love is from everlasting to everlasting.

It is also interesting that the word UNFAILING appears over 120 times in the Bible. Makes me think that God wanted us to know this wonderful truth.

John 1:14 - "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Old Irish Prayer

There is an old Irish saying/prayer that reflects on the life of St. Columba. It invites us to be HOPE for others in the world around us.

"May God guide you...
To be an isle in the sea,
To be a hill on the shore,
To be a star in the night,
To be a staff for the weak."

I invite all of us to try and be one of these things today. Can we be, for someone else -
An Island of Hope?
A Hill of Refuge?
A Star to guide?
A Rod/staff to lean on?

Psalm 23:4 - "your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me."

Living in Grace
D3LM3