When I dock my Kindle at night, it will occasionally ask me if I want a bedtime story to help me fall asleep. I tell it I do not need one as I have my own “bedtime story” that I tell myself every night. I repeat Psalm 23, paraphrasing it, and visualizing it in my mind.
“The LORD is my Shepherd.” My Shepherd. MY Shepherd. I am His and He is mine. (You are His and He is Yours.)
“I shall not want.” Every … EVERYthing I need is found in Him.
“He makes me [some versions say He lets me) lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” Sometimes I come to Him for rest, other times, He reminds me I need to “come away with Him to a quiet place to rest”. And the place He takes me is green and peaceful with living water that revives my soul.
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” He is in front of me, marking my way. He does that so that I honor Him in my walk. I think of His Names … Almighty God, Savior, Sustainer. First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End. My Provider, My Righteousness, My Peace. Resurrection, Life, Light. On and on His Names flood my soul.
“Yes, though I walk through [THROUGH!] the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” I see my Shepherd walking beside me, holding the hand of me as a little girl (a child of God). He has his staff in His Hand and His Rod in His belt. And He is the light when darkness is all around me.
“You set a table before in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [healing] oil. My cup overflows.” The table before me contains everything I could ever need to nourish my soul. My Shepherd anoints my head with oil that saves and heals. My cup is flowing with the water of life.
“Surely, goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.” Goodness and Mercy follow me. They are attributes of My Shepherd. They are my rearguard. Nothing of my past can rise up to pull me down. Everything is under the goodness and mercy of my God.
“I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Amen
Thank you, LORD. Today, I will focus on all my Great Shepherd provides. Thank you, LORD, for my eternal “bedtime story.” Amen