REFLECTIONS ON PSALM 23

by Vicki Johnston

Hosted by Sarah J. Blake

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Dear Lord Jesus, You told us not to be afraid, for in You we will find love and joy and peace. You said "Do not be afraid for it is your Father's good pleasure to GIVE you the Kingdom".

You do not withold love from us, You died that we may know Perfect Love, and Your Love triumphed and triumphs over every lie, every sin, every wile, every trick, every deceit, every cunning whisper of the evil ruler of this world. You have rebuked satan and satan must leave. he has no strength against Your Perfect Will.

You do not ask us to die for You but to Live in You today and for eternity. You do not punish us but bore the punishment FOR us, that we could abide in Your living Peace.

You ARE our Shepherd and in You, we have no want, for You gave to us freely Your own Life, and You give to us freely with pleasure and in joy. And what You have given cannot be changed one iota.

You DO lead us beside the still and perfect waters and You ask us.. "Do you WANT to be well? GET UP! Come to ME! I will GIVE you blessed Rest. I will GIVE you PEACE." MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light."

We, who You called Your beloved Brethren, while we walk this earth, must walk through the valley of the shadows of death.. and in You we will not FEAR this evil. For You are with us. You have overcome the shadows for us in Your resurrection and You have washed us in Your Holy Spirit.. You have not left us orphaned to walk alone. Or to struggle with futility.

You, dear Lord Jesus, protect us and defend us. You do not ask us to be perfect but You told us to come to YOU and rest in YOU and be made perfect in YOU. You warn us when we stray. You warn us with a great shout when danger looms, and with Your cry and Your weeping and Your reaching for us, our hearts freeze. When we heed You, we step back into Your Peace and follow You to safety. We turn to You and You show us, with great rejoicing and love, the trap we met and overcame in You.

And if we stray you, ONLY YOU, dearest Loving Jesus, follow us, as we run blindly, calling and crying out to us to come to You; come back to Your peace, come back to Your rest. You said each hair on our head is counted by our Father. You said you would go anywhere to find us and, with the greatest concern, bring us back to Your fold.

Lord, my Abba Father, reach out to Your lambs who have wandered too far. Hear their cries and lift them to Your heart, out of the trap, out of the fear, out of danger. You, Blessed Holy Lord, who have created this world have overcome this world and all that is in it. Let every false word be silenced in You, that the world know Your Glory.

Father, Jesus cried to You, "Glorify Your Son" And you answered Him, for all the world to hear, "I have Glorified Him and I will again." Father, my God, my soul cries out to You "Glorify Your Son!"

And in Your Son, my prayer rises to Your Heaven, to fall at Your feet and adorn them with my praise and thanksgiving to You.

Amen. Amen. Amen.