“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.”
-Psalm 23:1-3 – expanded reading: Psalm 23
Likely one of the most recognizable pieces of scripture, this verse from Psalm 23, and the others that go with it, share a critical and fundamental truth: Whatever is thrown at us, God is always with us.
And there will be dark valleys ahead. We live in an imperfect world, where tragedy is never far away. We live in a world with imperfect people, including ourselves, who hurt one another with word and deed.
But the Good Shepherd is always with us. He guides us along safe and right paths, sustains us with Holy Bread and Wine, cleanses us with the waters of baptism, and offers a comforting presence when no one else is there.
As I said, we live in an imperfect world, and so along the way there will be pain and suffering and hardships. But at the end of the path God is leading us through, there is an eternal home, where we shall live in peace and happiness for all time.
And if we are to truly love one another as Christ has loved us, Psalm 23 offers instruction on how to serve. When someone is hungry, offer food. When they are lost, help them find their way. And when they cannot go it alone, lend a hand and journey with them.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to know your loving presence as we journey through each day,
here and now, and forever. Thank you. Amen
Written by Tyler Jensen