"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." You know how it goes and can probably recite it from memory. We find a great deal of comfort from these words.
Let me pick up some key phrases from a slightly different translation of the Bible.
The Lord is my shepherd... he feeds me, guides me, and shields me... I shall not lack.
He provides fresh, tender, green pastures for me to lie down and rest.
He leads be beside still and restful waters.
He refreshes my life.
He leads me in the right way.
When I walk through the deep, sunless valley of the shadow of death,
I will not dread.
(You will now note a change in the personal pronoun... no longer third person, "he", but second person "you." In other words, when the going gets tough, he draws closer and more personal.)
For you are with me, you protect me, you comfort me.
You feed me, you anoint me, my cup runs over.
Your goodness and unfailing love are with me all day and all the days of my life.
I live in your love.
These words sustained millions in tough times through hundreds of years... and are just as real and alive today as we face our tough times. |