Breaking Down

Our family has found itself wading through a season of heartbreak. Everyone has these seasons and no matter how long the duration, we all need comfort. This morning, as I practiced being quiet before the Lord, His Spirit kept gently whispering the words of Psalm 23 to my hurting soul. I spent the rest of my time in prayer breaking down these well-known verses line by line. I would love to encourage each of you to find some time to break down your favorite passages in scripture. What does it say? What does it mean? What does it mean to you? I hope my time in Psalm 23 will enrich your day. Thank you for sharing my journey.

 

The Lord is my Shepherd. You are strong and you know things that I don’t know and you see things that I can’t see. You are MY Shepherd. You count me as one of your own. You know that I am hurting and you have picked me up and held me tight against your beating heart. You know this is what I need right now.

In my little sheepish brain, I think I need what all the other sheep seem to have, but you know better. You know what I need. I want you.

I am so tired of failing. I am so tired of teaching my children the same things over and over again and watching them ignore me.I am so tired of watching them suffer. I am exhausted with the schemes of the devil and his evil and foolishness. You offer me rest.

You make me lie down in green pastures. Your rest is beautiful and full of peace. You lead me beside the still waters. I love how you brighten my countenance by revealing your glory in nature. I love your mountains and harvest colors and especially the water. I am so drawn to praise you when I see the ocean. I love knowing that your spirit hovered over the face of the waters from the very beginning and that you knew how the still waters would bring me joy.

Please, God restore my soul. It cries out for you, and only you can restore and mend all this brokenness.

You have shown me what is right and led me in the path of righteousness. You delight in obedience and you have given me a helper in Your Spirit so I can stay on this narrow path. You are glorified when I obey.

Today, I have found myself in a dark valley. The enemy is doing a number on me. He is trying to steal my peace with his accusations and forecasts of loss and destruction. My natural instinct is to be so scared and weep, but you are with me. You promise to stay by my side and never leave. You are my shepherd and from your vantage point, you can see all this evil; you promise that I don’t need to be afraid of it.

You use the crook of your staff to keep me on the safe path and out of the grip of the evil one. Your rod is a weapon. You keep it with you to fight off the evil for me. You fight for me and keep me safe. I am so comforted by this. You are a mighty warrior who fights for me. You believe I am worth fighting for.

There is an enemy attacking my family. Your enemies were so evil and they attacked and lied about you. They mocked you and killed you. You didn’t deserve it. You forgave them. You have forgiven me. With your help, I can forgive my enemies too. Because I am forgiven, everything has changed. I am a new creation and you want to celebrate this truth. You have prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You love me and you love to celebrate that I am your daughter. You have not only prepared a feast for me, but also a home in heaven. My inheritance is sure. (Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Micah 7:8).

You anoint my head with oil. My life in you is all about prosperity and joy. You have so much “good stuff” that you can use it to remind me I am extravagantly blessed. You pour it over my head and it covers me from head to toe.

Because I have you, I have everything. I have more than everything. My cup overflows with blessing. In a season of heartbreak, thank you for this reminder. The pains and losses of this world grow strangely dim in the light of your glory and grace. I am so blessed. I am a daughter of the King of Kings.

The evil one wants me to believe that things are not going to be OK. He wants me to feel the heavy breath of despair and loss following me and breathing down my neck, but you know what lies ahead for me. Goodness and mercy are following me. You have my back, and you will all the days of my life. My future is bright!

My time on this earth is short, but one day soon, I will see you face to face. My future in your house is certain and I will dwell there with You forever!

 

AMEN!