PSALM 23, VERSE 4

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Dave’s mom, Elsie Florence Dodd Cook, died December 16, 2010. We had been living in North Carolina for five months after leaving her in Kansas City at a facility that could manage her Alzheimer’s. The possibility of death came on very suddenly and it wasn’t expected at all. Dave was attending an end-of-the-year sales meeting in Minnesota when he got the call. When the company President found out about Elsie, he insisted Dave leave the meeting immediately. Dave drove to Kansas City to join his sister, Nancy, and brother, Bob, at their mom's side that evening, and they spent the night reminiscing with laughter and fun. Although Mom was unconscious, they talked to her, including her in the conversation. They left close to midnight and Elsie passed away about 3:00 the next morning.

The funeral was in Kansas City a week before Christmas and we lived in North Carolina. It was a disruption, for sure; but it isn’t abnormal. Death happens, often spontaneously, just like the joyful events of life. They occur despite the calendar or the expectations we have for our lives. No one wants to interrupt the joyous celebrations and events we enjoy around Christmas with the sadness that accompanies a funeral. Yet, we manage to handle it, don’t we?

As a corollary to the initial event, the fact is, the loved one is missed during the festivities each year. Not everyone can cope with the juxtaposition of joy and grief. But do you realize that, as Christians, we are the only people who can do that? Because of our Lord’s sacrifice, we can know the grief of His death and yet, we cannot keep from rejoicing that His sacrifice gives us the opportunity to know the Father. Grief and joy, rejoicing and sadness. How…?

I think David explains it well in verse 4. (I’ve taken the liberty to paraphrase it.) ‘When sadness brings me to a place of despondency and my heart is assailed with gloom, I am reminded that I can have joy despite my sadness, because you are still beside me and will walk me through it.’ Isn’t that right? Grief is a natural emotion as a personal (as opposed to making a public display) response to death, loss and separation. Experience it, walk through it and, when the intensity has diminished, you can respond with joy—to memories and the knowledge your loved one will be waiting for you in Heaven.

Ladying for today: God gave us the emotions of grief and joy. Grief helps us walk through loss and we can look forward to joy. Because of Jesus “…you may not grieve as others who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13 (MEV).  Satan capitalizes on tragedy…don’t let him steal your joy while your guard is down! And you, don’t give up your joy for continued grief and sadness. Let the life of your loved one settle in your heart alongside the joy his/her life brought you. Then, you can pass it along to those who come behind you. There’s no higher honor than to share another’s life with those you love.

It’s Christmas and the Savior has come!

PSALM 23, VERSES 2 & 3

There’s nothing like being out in Nature! Well, maybe some of us prefer viewing it through a window…, but that “voyeur” type of observing can’t have the impact of being there in the body. The view is only part of the experience.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in Red Bluff, California, a small town in the northern part of the state, where I could absorb the essence of Nature firsthand. The forest fires that burned Redding and are still burning in the Paradise area are less than 50 miles from my hometown. Even though the physical vestiges that were part of such beautiful memories are literally disappearing, the essence of those recollections remain in my mind and heart. They still bring joy and peace to me.

Our church camp was located in the higher foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 4,900 feet close to a three-building town called Mineral, CA. Since it was only about an hour from home, my family traveled up there several times during the year, not only during the summer “camp meeting” time. There were all sorts of sights to see: the campground with cabins and a church; the railroad tie bridge that crossed ice-cold Battle Creek to get to the campground. There was a campground for RV’s and tents and Mineral proper with a restaurant and general store. Not too far along the highway you could find a mountain meadow called Child’s Meadow filled with  

wildflowers and the meandering Battle Creek. Go a little farther to the snow skiing lodge and ski runs or find your way to the trailhead that leads to the still-active Lassen volcano crater.

On Saturdays during the winter our high school sponsored a “ski bus” that students paid $3 to ride up the mountain to the ski lodge. There we could ski, sled or just tromp through the snow to our hearts’ content before returning to the valley. WOW!! What memories I have of those days.

But there were intangible instances that were experienced that we didn’t even register. I mean, who were we but kids, right?! How did the majesty of giant sentinel trees affect our riotous romp through the forest? What impact did a babbling cold creek have on us except to turn the skin bright red on our feet after an ill-advised wading episode? Why would the rainbow of wildflowers or the lush green of a mountain meadow make us shiver with delight at the beauty? Where could we experience the silence of snow so dramatically booming? When, other than after a day on the mountain, could you sleep so deeply that it brought healing?

Verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 23 speak to our love of God’s natural beauty. Through it…

…He leads us—to see His awesome hand at work in creation and lets us experience the peace it brings our stress-ravaged bodies and minds;

…He leads us—in His ways which are upright, noble and blameless to bring us into successful living.

All this is done because of His unfailing love for us!

We, who are unworthy, in and of ourselves, of such a profound love can receive it gladly because He offers it unfettered. We can run in green meadows and drink of clear quiet water. We can regain equilibrium for our minds and bodies. We can walk, or run, or amble beside, or chase after God as He leads us, because He is guiding us into who we were created to be. He—God, the Creator, the I Am—made us as His show-stopping, mind-boggling children. We carry his DNA!

His name is glorified, lifted up and praised by ALL creation.

Ladying for today: God ministers to us: mind, soul and body. It’s all about who He is, and we get the overflow. Receive it, revel in it and let it overhaul and change you!

PSALM 23, VERSE 1

Today I felt a compelling desire to do some devotional writings on Psalm 23. I know, I know...there have been umpteen devotionals and even books written on this chapter. However, since there is only one me, I will write it from my perspective and how it is impacting me this year, between my 69th and 70th birthdays. 

Have you ever reread a book after ten years or so and it seems like a different book? Our life experiences change us and how we look at what has happened and what is occurring to us right now. So, read along with me to see if you can view Psalm 23 in a different way too. It may be totally different than what I have written but, I hope you can see something that will impact your life for the better. Something that will carry you to a deeper relationship with God, our shepherd.

Verse 1

NIV “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

MES “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.”

PAS “The Lord is my best friend and shepherd. I always have more than enough.”

David wrote this Psalm from his own experience as a shepherd. He knew what it meant to care for sheep, for those who were needy and unable to care for themselves. He knew all about sheep—their frailties and their mentality. And yet, he truly cared about them. There was a bond between shepherd and sheep—man and animal—caretaker and those in need of care. I’m sure it could get emotional, yet, there was a love as the foundation for the caring. A shepherd is one who cares as a best friend would care, with love.

And, this caring provides—food, health, protection, even holding close. Everything that was needed was provided. The sheep didn’t even realize they had “needs” because the “needs” were always available for them. How can it be a “need” if it is never gone? It can’t become a “want” if it is always given—with surplus.

David was able to translate and transfer this pastoral knowledge to the God in whom he trusted. Each trait of a good shepherd was a trait David saw in God. As he did tasks of caring for and loving his sheep, he observed and received those same things from God. Is this possibly the start of David seeing God's heart and deciding to pattern his heart after it? Maybe...

David, the shepherd, was chosen as a teenager, to become king of Israel. How would one so young and, supposedly, inexperienced, be considered as “king material?” Remember, David had been pastoring a “flock” that showed him the mentality of most people; he had learned how to work with it. He knew the stubborn, the prideful, the timid, the weak. He became an iron hand, a motivator, an encourager, a physician. As Paul said many years later, David was all things to this flock—just what each needed.

So how does this translate to me? My circumstances are much more limited and I won’t become a king or great leader or pastor…

Not long ago a friend at church brought me a drawing she had done in 2016. She had asked God to help her get back into drawing prophetically when she drew it. On this particular Sunday the Lord brought me to mind to receive it from her—two years later! The picture had a loaf of artisan bread in the forefront with a cluster of wheat atop it. Behind that was a goblet of wine on its side with the wine pouring out and a cluster of grapes beside it. At the far back was a pottery jug that represented the jug of unending oil.

Just two days before this, Dave had looked at his retirement funds statement and found they had dropped drastically. It was a discouraging moment to say the least! But God…had his daughter give me, a new friend, this picture. To me it depicted God’s continual provision and He spoke the words I added to the drawing before hanging it, “Don’t worry, My Pearl. I will always provide!”

What joy this drawing brought me! Not only was it a promise to lift my heart and spirit, it showed God’s provision came when I needed it! Of this I can testify--when others need an encouraging word, when I doubt the promise--God provided. Not only does He provide for the 'now' but also for the 'later.' He gives eternal words and care.

Ladying for today:  Because I have  no “needs,” I rest in Him and can minister to others.

NOTE:

Bible versions: NIV-New International Version; MES-The Message; PAS-The Passion Translation