I crack open my Bible to a well worn page. It’s seen many years of my eyes, sometimes scanning, sometimes seeking, sometimes crying. There are markings from past seasons and a few wrinkles from use and time (and maybe a toddler’s helpful hands). 

I love the simple beauty that the Bible holds - no matter how many times you read it there’s always something new waiting to be revealed to you. On this particular day I turned to Psalm 23, probably the most known passage in the whole Bible. It’s a nursery rhyme to some and a few words on a cross stitch cushion to others. I’ve studied it and sang it enough that there are times my heart wonders - “Really? This one again? Can’t we move onto something else?”

When we find something interesting -- something beautiful -- maybe a flower or a colorful rock or an old coin, we tend to study it from every angle. We look it over top to bottom, counting the petals, noting the shapes. I think that’s what meditation and study of the Bible is like. The Bible is that interesting and beautiful object, and it’s always the same. But, we change, and the world around us changes and everytime we pick it up there’s a chance we might see something we didn’t notice before because we’re looking at it differently.

On this particular day with Psalm 23 I looked at it again but from a different angle. The world has shifted dramatically in the past few months and I’ve had to lean in and change right along with it. Now (amidst a changing and groaning world) is the perfect time to see the beauty of the Scriptures in ways we haven’t before. Now is the time for new eyes.

Encouragement from Psalm 23

I made a simple chart and wrote down what I noticed in Psalm 23 about God’s actions in contrast to the speaker’s (or my) actions. Go ahead, put yourself in the pages. Make it your Psalm. I don’t think David will mind.

What I noticed was this: there are only 5 things that I do or experience in this Psalm, and 3 of them are direct results of what God is already doing. 

Because God is my Shepherd, I shall not want. 

Because His rod and staff comfort me, I will not fear evil. 

Because He anoints me with oil, my cup overflows. 

I shall not want. I will not fear evil. My cup overflows. 

The only 2 other actions that I take on in this Psalm are - I walk through the valley AND I will dwell in the house of the Lord. The first is an action that’s present and current. I walk through. The second is a future hope and promise. I will dwell. The first is the valley of the shadow of death and the second is the house of the Lord. These are two very different places. 

I am (we all are) walking, now, through the valley of the shadow of death, but I’m going to live in the House of the Lord forever. This idea is echoed throughout scripture. 

• This momentary and light affliction is producing in me an eternal weight of glory - 2 Cor. 4:17

• I have a living hope, imperishable and undefiled - 1 Peter 1:3-5

• I go through the valley of weeping and make it a spring, each one appears before God in Zion - Psalm 84:5-7

• The world is not my home, I am a sojourner and a pilgrim - Hebrews 13:14

Let’s look now at what God is doing throughout Psalm 23. There is a lot more that God is doing than what is asked of me. I think that’s significant. Go read it for yourself and you’ll see...

He leads. He guides. He restores. He refreshes. He comforts. He makes sure I rest. He prepares a table for me. He anoints me. 

All of this He does while I’m in the valley. While I am in this present crisis - not just in the future. He is with me. He leads me and He follows after me. He is with me in my rising up and my laying down (Psalm 139). He knows my going out and my coming in. He is present and active in our lives - before forever begins. 

He doesn’t just say, “Well I’ll see you when you get here. Hope you make it.” 

He is actively involved. He leads me all the way to His house. He leads me all the way home.

I don’t have to live this time in the valley wanting or lacking, exhausted, striving, confused, lost, afraid, alone, dry, empty or hollowed out. That’s not what He has promised for me, that’s not how He leads. Because He is a Good Shepherd I can live content, satisfied, freshed, at peace, following, full and overflowing.

That is the promise we can rest in during these uncertain and troubling times. Your “valley of the shadow of death” is not permanent. It’s a season, it’s a momentary light affliction and--He is with you. You can lean on your Shepherd today. You can ask Him to prepare a feasting table before your enemies. 

I encourage you, take a look at Psalm 23 today. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll see something there you didn’t notice before and it will be exactly what your heart needs in this season.