Leading up to and now thankfully recovering from heart surgery, this is a pivot time. Professionally from lawyer, to arbitrator and mediator. To be more deliberate to deepen relationships and connections. New ministries? Other changes?

In this pivot season, God has been speaking to me in various scriptures. Following are mediations on Psalm 23.

The LORD is my Shepherd

Yahweh, the personal name of God, is my shepherd.

I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me.

I offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to him, which is my spiritual, all-in, logical worship.

I will not be in need.

I am not in need. His promises are faithful, sure, and true.

I seek first and foremost and in every way God’s Heavenly Kingdom. Everything else I will ever need will be added to me. He knows my needs before I do. He feeds me more faithfully than the birds.

He lets me/makes me lie down in green pastures.

His command is my blessing. Just as humans were not made for the sabbath, but the sabbath for humans, so are these green pastures. Pleasant to recline in. Nutritious. Very importantly, for rest. To lie down. Counterintuitive. Feels unproductive. But it is a blessing, a gift. Someone said rest is not doing nothing; it is healing. It is restoration. It is recalibration. Renewal. Refreshment. Replenishment. Needed for what lies ahead.

He leads me beside quite waters.

Refreshing. Slagging thirst for everything else. The beauty of the pool outside. The refreshing sound of the waterfall. Living water springing from within.

He restores my soul.

Because it is depleted. He fills it back up. With himself.

Peace. Contentment. Wisdom. Direction. Purpose. Abiding peacefully in him.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

For his name’s sake. For his sake. He guides. He doesn’t coerce, force, or cajole. He gently leads. Over and over again.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil.

Safe. Again. Why? Because

You are with me.

Your rod (of protection) and staff (of provision) comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

This is a move from third person (he) to second person (you, your). More intimate. More personal. Closer.

I am lavishly provided for. I’m usually not aware of having enemies. Adversaries, sometimes. Even in battles, and midst of conflict, challenge, and adversity – I am provided for.

You have anointed my head with oil.

This is a reminder that by his grace I have been called. Designated. “Anointed.” Given assignments. God has purposes, and in some of those, to my wonder, it is his plan somehow to use me. Amazing that I would be part of his plan. But I will respond by his power and grace with “yes.”

My cup overflows.

Filled and empowered and enabled by your Holy Spirit. To be your witness. To serve you. To serve others.

Certainly goodness and mercy/kindness/loving kindness/faithfulness/favor (Hebrew, “hesed”) will follow me all the days of my life.

And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord. Forever.

Follow me? Astounding.

My soul longs and yearns for the courtyard of the LORD. My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. I would rather dwell one day in your house than 1,000 anywhere else. To stand at the threshold, rather than tents of wickedness.

~~~

This is the prayer from a heart of contentment. At peace. Not striving. Not restless. Not worried.

Focusing on God first. Foremost. Exclusively. Everything else flows from that inexplicable union with him.

Thank you, God, for your generous gift of time and space to walk in this place with you.