Page 42 - Living light - The Psalms

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Kevin Shaw and are based on Psalm 23 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
John 10:1-21
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your
staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Sunday July 14 - My Shepherd The Lord is my shepherd... Psalm 23:1
As a minister, and hospital and hospice chaplain, I have conducted hundreds of funerals in churches, crematoriums, hospital chapels and even outdoors at woodland burial sites. I am absolutely certain that Psalm 23 is the most read and sung text in all those services, and that will be true for almost every Christian minister.
It’s embarrassing to admit, but repetition of favourite Bible passages can sometimes feel clichéd. I have to remind myself that these texts become ‘clichéd’ for a reason; namely, that they have a profound meaning in people’s lives. I cannot allow my overfamiliarity with such passages to undermine the comfort and promise contained within them.
Last year I was asked to visit a lady who was in end-of-life care. She struggled with faith but was keen for me to pray, so I read Psalm 23 and suggested she should not allow doubts to be a barrier to faith. I encouraged her to turn to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to allow him to lead her to the green pastures and quiet waters she needed.
Driving home, I asked the Lord for reassurance of some kind regarding her connection with him. On arriving home I saw an email from Ian, the editor of Living Light, inviting me to write for this edition. My theme, exactly as you see it now: My Shepherd.
Lord, my Shepherd, I am asking for your leading and care in my life. I both want it and I need it, and I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY