Throughout my school years we sang The Lord Is My Shepherd every week in assembly. Those were the days when schools assembled for prayer every morning and once a week we sang hymns. We had to memorise the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and the books of the bible. We learned about Moses crossing the Red Sea, David slaying Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den and of course all about the miracles and wonders that Jesus did. Christmas and Easter we went to the local church and had bible readings and sang Christmas carols and the Easter celebration hymns, but Psalm 23 was the one that stood out in my mind and has brought me comfort and strength in even the most difficult times.
The reason for that is,
Jehovah-Rohi, my Shepherd (v.1) The Lord is my Shepherd.
Jehovah-Jirah, my Provider (v.1) I shall not want.
Jehovah-Shalom, my Peace (v.2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
Jehovah-Rapha, my Healer (v.3) He restores my soul.
Jehovah- Tsidkenu, my Righteousness (v.3) He guides me in the paths of righteousness.
Jehoval-Shammah, my Presence (v.4) Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me.
Jehovah-Nissi, my Defender (v.5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
I see Jesus so clearly in this Psalm and I think back to my childhood when I accepted everything with childlike faith, never questioning or doubting what I was taught from the bible. That’s the kind of faith we need to have in Jesus. He is your Shepherd and He loves and cares for you.
He knows what you need day by day and He knows the straight paths from the crooked and dangerous ones. Put your trust in Him. Life is so daily and thinking on Psalm 23 is a good way to start and finish the day.
Nan
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