Session III: Reflection Paper, Psalm 23
The LORD is
my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads
me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of
righteousness For His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3, NASB)
Due to
crazy weather, I find myself sitting in a restaurant next to an electrical
outlet and all the time in the world to get my assignment done; hence I shall
not want. As we first sat on the side of the road trying to figure out what our
next move would be, I reached for my devotional and indeed had my soul restored
as I read the message of the day based off of Psalm 46:10. In reading His word
and focusing on Him, I indeed am guided onto the path of righteousness.
Even though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are
with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4, NASB)
I actually
found myself saying that verse last night as our RV rocked back and forth in
one of the worst storms I have ever lived through. It is a verse I say every
time I find myself afraid of something.
You prepare
a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with
oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all
the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm
23:5-6, NASB)
My heart
jumps for joy as I read those last words. I truly believe that the Lord is my
shepherd and in keeping my focus on Him and His direction, I know I will dwell
in the house of the LORD forever!
Session III: Reflection Paper, Psalm 139
O Lord, You
have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You
understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And
are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my
tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. (Psalm 139:1-4)
The mere
truth in these words never ceases to amaze me. As a child I foolishly thought I
could hide my thoughts from God. Today I know He knows everything about me.
You have
enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is
too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:5)
That verse
makes me realize that the LORD has me protected on all sides. No matter what I
face in life, His hand is on me. It truly is an overwhelming thought. The
following verses reaffirm that no matter where I land, the LORD is there as
well.
I will give
thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your
works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14)
When I am
feeling down about myself, I remind myself of all the beauty that the Lord
created. He created me too and I am indeed fearfully and wonderfully made!
As I read
the rest of the Psalm, I am reminded of events in my life where I can see that
God stepped in and protected me against various enemies. My biggest plea today
is that I go forth in life showing love and if indeed there is anything about
me that needs improved that He helps me with that.