Remembering God's Provision

God is personal.

“Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!” Psalm 23 (TPT)

We have seriously missed out on the goodness of this Psalm by associating it only with hard times and funerals. David said, “The Lord is my….

The purpose of this Psalm isn’t just to name that God is enough, although He is. It’s not just to make sure we know that He will lead us on the right path, although He does. The beauty of this message isn’t just to acknowledge God’s presence in the middle of scary times, although that’s needed.

This Psalm demonstrates to us that David made God his God. He’s Creator, Sustainer, and completely holy. But, He’s also personal. We are His, and He desires to be ours. The personal nature of our God sets us apart from every other world religion.

Take some time to sit with God. Have a personal conversation with Him. What would it sound like, look like, feel like if He were physically there and communicating with you? There is so much mystery involved in our faith. I can’t tell you exactly what He says, does, or thinks. But, I know He’s invited us in close, to live personally and experientially with Him. Let’s do it! Read back over the Psalm and imagine yourself there. How do you want to remember this time?

Our Father, we have chosen to spend some time remembering You, Your care, Your instruction, and Your invitations. Where would we be without You? When we take time to pause and remember who You are to us, what You’ve done for us, and how You’re always inviting us into more, we can’t help but give thanks. Keep on caring, teaching, and inviting, because we don’t want to miss out on abundant life with You. Since You are always giving, we promise to remember. Amen.