Day 70 | Thursday, 28 May 2020

Day 70  |  Thursday, 28 May 2020
 
It was great to be together yesterday for prayer and later for the zoom meeting.

Today, I am going to share a couple more translations of Psalm 23 for your reflection and meditation.

Psalm 23 – The Message Translation (MSG)
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

Psalm 23 – Good News Translation (GNT)
  The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised. Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me. You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim. I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.

The Lord is Our shepherd
      What about us? What about me? Can we be so bold as to make this claim, “The LORD is my shepherd?” Can we move beyond reciting, yet barely daring to believe, these verses as words we were required to memorize as children? How, when, do these words, “The LORD is my shepherd,” become, not just words in the Bible, but our words, even my words? How do I lay claim to these words and make them mine?

            Let’s look at what comes after the psalmist makes his claim, “The LORD is my shepherd.” I will, the psalmist says, lie down in green pastures. I will surely find myself beside not troubled waters, but still waters. My soul shall be restored. I will discover right paths, and even in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for the LORD, who is indeed my shepherd, will lead me.
More thoughts for your consideration with the next translations I present.

Lord, as our country now has seen just over 100,000 deaths due to the virus, we look even more seriously to you as the shepherd to lead us.  You have given us everything we need.  We are feeling the need for some rest from all that has been confronting us every day.  Lead us to those restful, quiet places.  Lord, hear our prayers.  Amen
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Today: those who spend their working hours stocking and restocking shelves.