I love the 23rd Psalm.
It speaks to my soul on a level that my conscious mind,
I'm sure,
Doesn't fully understand.
But I find myself turning to it again and again.
For it is a storehouse of deep comfort and secret guidance.
As I walk through this veil of illusion of separation,
I think the 23rd Psalm should be an anthem for our times.
For it truly is a balm for all separation and anxiety that we might experience,
Or for those clinging stories of lack and limitation we might carry.
It is a declaration of trust,
Provision,
And divine guidance through not only these challenging times,
But through every season of our life.
And the more I listen,
And I've been reading and listening a lot lately,
I discover the 23rd Psalm is more than just poetry.
It is a map of the awakening journey we take again and again,
Into a deeper intimacy,
Into that ultimate oneness with God,
The source of all.
It starts us on our journey of remembering that we are never alone,
Never alone,
As we walk through this mortal existence.
It is a journey of relaxing into God's presence and being restored back to our soul essence,
Our true identity,
So we can share that God presence in the world,
In which the world needs now more than ever before.
And the more I continue to read the 23rd Psalm,
I'm sure that He is celebrating me,
He's celebrating you,
Here and now,
By anointing you with the oil of remembrance of who you are,
Welcoming you home to His presence,
And gifting you with the keys to the kingdom,
The kingdom of heaven that is within you and all around you,
Which has always been and which will always be yours,
By the right of divine inheritance.
Now,
For our meditation,
I'm going to read the 23rd Psalm three times.
The first time I read it,
Let it just wash over you and enter you and flood you with its grace.
The second time I read it,
I'll invite you to go deeper by creating some space between each of the six lines of the psalm and making it really personal to you and what is happening in your world today.
And the third time will be like a sweet offering to your soul,
Inviting you to step more fully into your divine remembrance.
Close your eyes if you like,
Or keep them open,
Whatever feels the most connective to you.
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,
Thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff,
They comfort me.
Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil,
And my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I,
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let's go deeper now.
We'll take it one verse at a time,
And I will give you one minute between each line to reflect on it.
Let the words sink deep,
And play with each line as an energetic gift of grace.
Let it be intimate to your life.
Let it go deep.
Let it be real.
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
Know that you are never alone.
God is always with you,
Always.
You are watched over wherever you go.
Feel the peace that truth brings to you,
For the Lord is your shepherd.
Look back on your life and see how all that you have truly ever needed has always been provided for,
In ways seen and unseen you have been cared for.
The Lord is your shepherd,
And you shall not want,
Now or in the future.
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.
It is here,
When you take the time to rest in God's presence.
Your body naturally softens,
And you feel safe enough to lay down your dry bones and surrender your burdens.
Yes,
It's here,
Beside the still waters,
Where God's presence endlessly flows,
Deep and pure upon your thirsty soul.
Filling your darkened corners with peace beyond understanding.
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 path of righteousness,
For his name's sake.
Breathe and allow yourself to feel God's grace,
Restoring your soul,
Breathing life back into you.
Feel the holiness pulsing in your veins.
Rest in the knowing that God's breath has always sustained you.
When you felt weary,
You were carried.
When you're so long for renewal,
God poured his grace upon you,
Like living water,
Reviving the depths of who you are.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the path 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.
Even in life's darkest moments,
In the valleys and the shadows,
When fear tries to whisper its lies,
God is with you.
God's presence surrounds you.
His hand upholds you,
And his love goes before you,
Making a way even when you cannot see.
A darkness may come,
But it will never overcome you,
For God is your light and your refuge.
A path may be uncertain,
But God's footsteps go before you,
Guiding your way.
Even in the valley,
God's rod and staff are there to protect,
To comfort,
And to strengthen.
You are held securely in his love.
No shadow is greater than God's presence.
Walk forward in courage,
For God is always with you.
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.
Here,
God is honoring you with the ultimate blessing,
An invitation not just to receive something,
But to live in the overflow of God's presence.
God is not just giving to you,
He is pouring his spirit into you,
So you can pour into others.
Even when challenges arise,
When opposition stands before you,
There is no need to fear,
For God is with you.
God is your source,
Your refuge,
And your steady foundation.
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,
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Imagine seeing goodness and mercy following you around no matter where you roam,
All the days of your life.
Yes,
Goodness and mercy are your lifelong companions.
What a lovely truth,
Held in God's eternal embrace,
Never ceasing,
Everlasting support and companionship.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I,
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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 shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For thou,
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,
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen,
Amen,
And amen.
