Week 2 – Day 10
Dear Friend,
How many times have we read Psalm 23 or heard it spoken at traditional events? Hundreds, right? So many times that we gloss over the power that lies within those treasured words. As we have been talking about God as our Father we can embrace Psalm 23 and recognize the Father of protection, provision and love.
Today, let’s do something a bit different. Let’s read this scripture side-by-side while I share some truths hidden within these familiar thoughts. As you do, I have included prayer confessions to renew your mind. When you speak truths about God, your revelation of “who” He is increases, your faith grows and fear’s influence recedes until it no longer affects you. Who you are as God’s child comes to the forefront and freedom manifests!
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- Remember “who” we call God, He becomes to us.
- Calling God your “shepherd” is calling Him your provider, protector, friend, peace, comforter, and defender from evil you do not even know is out there.
- If God is my shepherd, I do not have “want” or lack. What is it you “want”, desire today? God is the One, who is full of exactly what you need today.
- Prayer: God, you are my Shepherd! So I do not lack or want for any good thing! You are my provider, my protector and my defender. You are my God! Everything I need YOU provide for me!
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
- In this midst of whatever situation you experience, God is there to bring you rest from the battle.
- When peace seems impossible, your Shepherd will make it possible. It won’t make sense to others, but your strength will come from Him providing for your every need.
- Prayer: God, this seems like too much for me, but you lead me beside still waters and provide a place of refuge for me. You are my strength, when all around me is out of order. You are my God, my Father. I lean on you!
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
- The BEST promise ever: He restores my SOUL!
- Have you ever been in such warfare that it seems like your mind is exhausted? Here is your promise of provision! He, God Almighty, restores your soul!
- What does a restored soul look like to you? Write it down, describe it and then begin to confess this scripture promises over your soul. Declare rest and refreshing over your soul. The price was paid, collect your freedom with your words.
- Prayer: God, you restore my soul and lead me in righteousness, for Your Name’s sake, for YOUR glory! I thank you that every thing that has ever come against me to rob my peace, interrupt my soundness of mind you remove. You defeated it by the cross and purchased my freedom, my peace, my joy and my clarity in Jesus’ name! You are my victory! You are my Lord! You are everything that I need! I worship YOU!
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- Key phrases here: Walk through, shadow, no fear and God is with you!
- Shadows are distorted. They look larger than they really are. The enemy is defeated, Jesus deprived every circumstance of its ability to harm us – so the threat is a shadow. In reality we are divinely protected by a strong-armed Father.
- We walk through challenges, we do not become victims to circumstances. We refuse to stay where God found us, because Jesus paid the price for us to live free.
- Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that I do not stay in this circumstance. I thank you for the power to walk out of the battle and because of your presence I am not afraid! You are with me! You will never leave me and I am protected by you!
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
- Only in God can you be rewarded in the midst of trial.
- The enemy is already defeated, you are walking it out, demanding your victory; so what does your Father God do? He sets up a place of honor and provision within the battle.
- His anointing and glory rests on you, even though the circumstances rage all around. He isn’t limited to you finishing the race for the joy of blessing you. He will bless and care for you all of the time, in the battle or in the time of peace. He is God and will not be denied the right of Fatherhood for you, His Precious Daughter/Valued Son.
- Prayer: Father, in the midst of it all, I praise you! I thank you! You take such wonderful care of me. You reward me. You provide for me! Even in the midst of battle you prepare awesome things for me to enjoy! Your anointing rests on me and I am refreshed for each moment we walk through together. I have enough to share your goodness with others, even when I am standing for my victory!
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell[ in the house of the Lord forever.
- This is the promise of “great expectancy”! We expect the goodness and greatness of God to rest on us. While others struggle and speak against themselves, we have the promise of living a life ruled by Jesus Christ in His resurrection. We live within God’s blessing and rule, even in the middle of standing for our victory.
- Prayer: Your goodness, God, Your mercy! They belong to me. My life lines up with Your Word and Your promises. Things change for the better, victory belongs to me. I live within the very presence of Almighty God and He is my Father, My Shepherd and my All-In-All forever! I will not be denied!
Continue to remind yourself of how much God the Father loves you. You are important and valuable to Him. YOU MATTER! So much so that He did everything to never be separated from you again. Let Him father (shepherd) you today. He loves you!
Love,
Jen
Journal:
God is our Shepherd, Protector and the Deliverer for the weight that you carry for others, as well as yourself. Sometimes we are standing for ourselves, but have not recognized that we are also carrying friends and family members’ battles, as well.
As we speak of Him as our Shepherd we need to release the weight and responsibility of others so we can truly benefit from the promises of Psalm 23. Who have you been carrying? Have you been trying to be the Great Shepherd to others when you were suppose to be reaping the peace of having Jesus as your Shepherd? It is time to release them. Sometimes we even think that our prayer assignments are our calling to carry their burdens. God never designed you for that purpose, especially when Jesus paid the price in full. Yes, we are called to pray, but after we have prayed we need to verbally and mentally release them back to God. Speak out, “Lord, I give you so-and-so. I release them, they are yours. I give you my sons, my daughters, my spouse, etc.” Give them back to Him and let the peace promised in Psalm 23 flood you inside and out.
