He Is Enough-Psalms 23
Psalm 23 is a very familiar scripture. Most of us learned it in Sunday School as little children. The entire passage makes me extremely excited. It is so refreshing and reassuring to read. Let’s break it down a bit. It’s only 6 verses so here we go!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Man this verse alone is LOADED! I mean it almost makes me want to shout, like seriously, I feel like getting up now and dancing! God is the source of my everything! Scripture says that He is my shepherd! By definition, a shepherd is a person who tends and rears to sheep. So, He tends to me; meaning he loves and cares for me. I am fragile to him! In Him, I have everything that I need!
“He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” He gives me lush green nourished meadows to rest in. He leads me to quiet streams to drink from. So, I don’t have to worry about the ripples and waves of a constantly flowing river. I’m able to sip from a peaceful stream that I don’t have to struggle with.
“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” When you go out to exercise, whether it’s a long walk, run, or a workout of some kind; oftentimes you have to stop and catch your breath. That moment, as you're sitting or standing to breathe; you are regaining your strength. God allows me moments to catch my breath as he is leading me in the right direction. He is enough!
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Even in Death Valley, He is right beside me. Whatever dark situation that we may face; whether it be sickness, heartache, loss of loved ones, financial disparity; God is right beside us! Although He has to correct us often, His rod and staff still brings us comfort because we know that He is still guiding us. Like a sheep, although the shepherd may have to correct them with the rod, when he’s holding up the staff, they can see and feel assured that he is still leading them.
God is enough!
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” The message version says, “You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies”. God lays out the best for us in front of every person that says we couldn’t have it. So that job, that car, that house; that they told you that you were crazy for even asking God for. God says, “I’ll give you that plus some”. Shepherds would use oil on the sheep to keep bugs and other insects out of their ears. These insects would drive the sheep into a panic and they would begin banging their heads on a rock to get them out. This would ultimately paralyze or even kill the sheep. The oil would protect them. God anoints us with oil to protect us from those demonic forces that constantly try to paralyze and kill us. He is so generous to us to the point that our cups overflow with blessings. He is such an awesome God! I can’t imagine not knowing Him! Can you? He is enough!
The last verse says, “Surely goodness and unfailing love (mercy) will pursue me (follow me) all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever”. Everyday that we wake up, God pursues us! WOW! God thinks enough of me, to pursue me! You know the way that man/woman use to whisper sweet nothings in your ear. The way he/she would compliment you to get your attention. They would do everything that they could think of to go after you. God wants to pursue you! He is chasing us with His love. His beauty. His grace and mercy! He wants us! Whoooooooo! God wants me! He’s the perfect gentleman, yet He chose me! He pursues me so much that I will forever dwell in His house! I will forever eat at the King’s table! I will forever experience His love! He is enough for me!