Psalm 23

November 16, 2015 Monday Message:

“He (God) restores my soul.” Psalms 23:3a

If you asked anybody to name their favorite Psalm, which Psalm would they want read at their funeral, most people choose Psalm 23. There’s a lot within those 6 short verses, so let’s dig in.

David begins with God’s holy name, “YHWH is my shepherd.” It’s a perfect analogy. Sheep, like humans, tend to wander off and make bad decisions. The reason that there are shepherds is because the sheep need a leader. Humans need a leader too, someone to keep us on-track, and David suggests YHWH as someone who leads him, someone who could help us all.

The Shepherd is good to us, takes care of us, and provides for us. But most importantly, no matter how far we may have fallen, the Shepherd can and will restore us. God is in the restoration business.

Notice that God does not promise a life without tribulation. But he DOES promise to walk with you, even in the valley of the shadow of death. Even in the presence of your enemies, God’s blessings will overflow.

The result of this relationship with the LORD is that God has a place reserved for you in his house. Prepare yourself to be adopted into the Holy family, to live in God’s eternal kingdom – forever!

That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Nov. 22, Pastor Retha speaks from Ephesians 6:10-20, “the Armor of God.”