Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Search Archive Print This Article Abide with me Tuesday, February 22, 2005 Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Reading Psalm 23 quiets my mind and my body. I rest, assured that whatever my current chaos or pain, God's presence and love and comfort will prevail. I have lived an adrenalized life since I can remember. Now my heart takes flight on cue, my body gets electric, my breathing quick. There may be no good reason, but I am ready for fight or flight. This energy sometimes takes me to the edges of experience, where I can think fresher thoughts. Robert Pirsig calls this the "high country of the mind." I like it out there. But it isn't home. When the Lord leads me home it's to pastures full of flowers, to still waters, to a table full of sweet honey and chewy bread. He reminds me to breathe deep and fill my lungs with his air. He touches my tension and all the muscles return to rest. In these pastures of the Lord my soul is restored. I re-discover righteousness and obedience, and most of all I remember my place as a created one, a Christ-follower, who lives with him forever. No matter where I am, Lord, you are my hiding place. "; Add      Edit    Delete