30 plus years ago, my parents made a decision when I was
born to change their path and take a new direction toward a life and walk with
Christ. This one single decision has
exposed me to scripture all my life. I
attended a private school where I memorized chapters at a time including the
verses below. When I hear a scripture
that I memorized, I can recite it word for word, verse by verse and back then
chapter by chapter.
You?
Did you ever memorize large portions of the Bible?
Do you immediately recall them with the slightest familiar
collection of words are repeated?
I do!
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. 4Yea, 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. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. | Psalm 23 KJV
Just this week I realized I’ve hidden this passage away in
my heart, but rarely feel it.
It’s one of those things where I learned it in school and
checked it off. When read in church, I
didn’t even have to refer to my Bible, I could recite it. I had lost intimacy with the passage because
it was mixed in with Social Studies, Grammar and Geometry in the vault of
memorization.
The most recent reading of the Psalm revealed an entire new
love for the passage.
It’s motivational, inspirational and it lends us peace
knowing that we are never alone in this dark, ugly world.
Now, if you are like me and they way I’ve been for the past
umpteen years, you looked at the first three words above just now and said “Yeah,
I know that scripture…no need to read it again” and skipped on down to finish
the blog post.
If so, I encourage you to go back and read it…every word. Feel the words, hear the comfort and cling to
the promise of beautiful green pastures, goodness and mercy.
If Target ran a commercial today promising goodness and
mercy the rest of your days, we would be lined up for hours in a line with
people in their jammies (black Friday sucker punch) to get our portion of
goodness and mercy.
Am I right or right?
Here it is, confirmed that it’s offered by the Shepherd of Life!
If you don’t know THE shepherd, I encourage you to read this
passage over and over until you feel it, until you meet him. I encourage you to seek the only one that can
ensure goodness and mercy for all your days.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…..
Blessings,
Anna
