Photo Credit: Deborah Kunzie

Psalms 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I have had a lifetime of scripture and biblical learning. This passage in the Bible is usually the first scripture learned as a young child. I have read it and recalled it to memory and heard others read it many times in my life.

It wasn’t until last night while  watching the movie “The Book of Eli” staring Denzel Washington, he recited this chapter from the Bible from memory that it suddenly had a deeper impact on me. It maybe because this movie seems to have a very special hidden meaning. Perhaps on purpose or maybe just to me. But the words, each word, stuck to me in a profound way.

I believe that if a person could mentally carry this verse with them all through life and recall it to memory when confronted with life choices whether major or not, that this world, our lives would be better.  When faced with anxiety these verses can, if believed, have a calming moving affect, and if followed out could result in the answers within them.

The LORD is my Shepard, (our guide, our shield) I shall not want (lack).

David was the writer of this Psalms and it is said he was near the end of life when he wrote it. He was faced with many trials and obstacles in his lifetime just like each of us. This Psalm has two parts, each one provides a question and the answer to the question in the same verse about the question of worry. The first four verses focus on God as the faithful and good Shepherd of his people. It calls us to trust Him. The second section, focuses our attention on God as a gracious host, preparing a splendid meal for a guest, and results in our rejoicing over His grace toward us.

I encourage you to print it out and carry it with you at all times. Then when faced with a moment of uncertainty or anxiety, pull out the verse and read it, slow. Keep it dear and near to your heart and let it guide you through every aspect of your life.