October 2008

Hi Friend:

Since January, we have been exploring the "riches" found in Psalm 23 and this month ends our study. Psalm 23 has encouraged and comforted people throughout the ages. It is one of the most read and beloved of all the Psalms. Many people have emailed me, sharing how this devotional has been a blessing and comfort to them--that is the power of God's Word! I encourage you to read the archives below, if you have not yet read the past devotionals.

I close this devotional series with a simple, yet profound interpretation of Psalm 23, followed by a few of my closing thoughts.

 

-Author Unknown-

 

The Lord is my Shepherd

That's RELATIONSHIP!

 

I shall not want

That's SUPPLY!

 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

That's REST!

 

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

That's REFRESHMENT!

 

He restoreth my soul

That's HEALING!

 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.

That's GUIDANCE!

 

For His name sake

That's PURPOSE!

 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

That's TESTING!

 

I will fear no evil.

That's PROTECTION!

 

For Thou art with me

That's FAITHFULNESS!

 

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,

That's COMFORT!

 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

That's HOPE!

 

Thou anointest my head with oil,

That's CONSECRATION!

 

My cup runneth over.

That's ABUNDANCE!

 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

That's BLESSING!

 

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.

That's SECURITY!

 

Forever.

That's ETERNITY!

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

David wrote Psalm 23. He experienced the ups and downs of life. David knew good times and hard times. David knew the thrill of victory and the sting of defeat. He knew the betrayal of a close advisor. He experienced the pain of his army chief deserting him. He experienced the sadness of his wife not joining in his spiritual joys. He went through deep grief at the loss of a son. David experienced REAL LIFE just like you and me.

 

In Psalm 23:5c we read, "My cup runneth over." In the interpretation above it reads, "That's ABUNDANCE!"

 

We often think ABUNDANCE of life means being on the mountain top and experiencing those wonderful spiritual highs, when everything is going good, and life is great. And it is. But join with me as we look at ABUNDANCE, perhaps, from a different perspective than we usually consider.

 

ABUNDANCE is experiencing the overflowing cup of God's peace that passes all understanding when in the middle of life's storm. ABUNDANCE is experiencing comfort, from the God of all comfort, when in a deep valley and going through deep sorrow. ABUNDANCE is experiencing God's love when everyone has deserted us. ABUNDANCE is experiencing God's grace when we deserve it least. ABUNDANCE is experiencing God's presence when we are lonely. I say with the Psalmist, "My cup runneth over." ABUNDANCE!

 

Our God is a great Giver. He gives us everything we need. He is more than enough! He goes before me, He is beside me and is behind me. And by His saving grace He lives within me.

 

SONG:

Fill My Cup, Lord

Words and Music by Richard Blanshard

 

John 4:14, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him

shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him

a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

 

Chorus

Fill my cup Lord,

I lift it up, Lord!

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;

Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

 

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus: You are the Good Shepherd, our very Good Shepherd. Thank you that You provide for us always, in every way we need, not always what we think we need. Jesus we come and "lift up our empty cups to You" (our souls, our lives for we are needy) and we ask You to fill our cups to overflowing. Pour out your loving kindness upon us--all the days of our lives, now and forever more. Thank you Lord. In Jesus Name. AMEN.