Psalm 23 – Apprentice 2 Jesus

Dwelling with the Shepherd even in the Shadows

Psalm 23 “Our lives are lived in the company of both the Shepherd and the shadow.” — Eugene Peterson

The blessedness of being pursued by God

Psalm 23:6 (NIV): Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Common English Bible is the only one I’ve read that says, goodness and faithful love will pursue me… God will chase me down, grab me, andContinue reading “The blessedness of being pursued by God”

Misreading Psalm 23

“Translation is always commentary.” — Kenneth Bailey

Lead me, Great Shepherd

He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. (Ps. 23:2) Lord, I don’t find water or food without you. I don’t know true abundance without you. I don’t know the way without you. Lead me, please, Great Shepherd.

Walking Through the Dark Valleys

Psalm 23 deserves a slow walk at times. I’ve come back to it all week because I don’t want to rush through such a treasured Psalm this time. One of the most difficult things for us to learn is knowing the presence of our Shepherd in our darkest valleys. If God is really there, whyContinue reading “Walking Through the Dark Valleys”

He Refreshes My Soul

With the Lord as my shepherd, and the metaphor of me being the sheep, the picture is that I follow. When I follow I will find that I lack nothing. He provides. He brings me to places where my hunger is taken care of and my thirst is quenched. He is the One who bringsContinue reading “He Refreshes My Soul”

Losing Sight of the Familiar

The Psalm for next Sunday is Psalm 23. So familiar, right? Really? How long has it been since you looked it over? For me, it’s far too long. Even if it’s on my regular reading schedule, I breeze through it. The familiar is dangerous territory. We lose sight of the beauty right in front ofContinue reading “Losing Sight of the Familiar”