The Psalms have been my go-to in every stage of life. Many find great comfort, encouragement and wisdom within each chapter. I’ve read through the 150 chapters countless times and each time have discovered new insights and nuggets of profound truth. Some are more precious than others. I often find myself praying Psalm 91 and 139 over our children. Psalm 145 as I’ve mentioned many times, is my favorite for international worship. Psalm 23 is a perfect psalm for Grace. In the children’s book, we use the story of Jesus as the good shepherd to illustrate this theme.
It reads, the Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your road and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
When the sea of life is raging and swirling around you, simply pray, “Lead me beside still waters.” When you feel burdened and overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, simply pray, “Make me lie down in green pastures.” When all seems dark and desperate and discouragement sets in, and when depression raises its ugly head, cry out, Restore my soul! And the good shepherd will hear and answer you because He is good and faithful and full of grace. One of my favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 33:3, Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. He gives us permission to cry out any time, any place, anywhere.
Prayer
Let us pray. Father, we thank you for your precious promises. Thank you that we can cast our cares upon you because you care so deeply for us. Covid has brought much uncertainty and chaos to families in our nation and around the world. We ask that you bring the comfort that only you can provide, that your grace will minister to them in their hour of need, that you will remind them of your mercies that are new each morning and of your great faithfulness. In Jesus name, Amen.
