Words of life
by Pauline Simonsen
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The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (Psalm 23:1).
Read Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is my go-to comfort in the small hours of the night, when sleep eludes me. Maybe for you, too?
When worries assail me, I find great comfort in the direct, simple declaration that the Lord is my shepherd, tending, protecting and guiding me, and I lack nothing. I often repeat this line to myself, over and over. Whatever I have been anxious about is answered by those powerful statements of reality.
These truths, those words of life, enable me to release my taut self to him. And then he makes me lie down in the green meadows of my imagination and relax; he refreshes me beside quiet waters of rest; he restores my ragged soul. My Shepherd brings me to these places of shalom because he is good and he is love.
The 23rd Psalm is so honest about human existence. The valley of the shadow of death is here – the times of deep darkness in our lives. Even though we walk through them, you and I need not fear evil, because our Shepherd accompanies us every step of the way with his stout staff.
My enemies are present – the devil, the world, my own sinful nature – and yet my Shepherd prepares a feast for me! He serves up abundance in the midst of the battle! He is not concerned with the enemies (they are defeated). He wants me to feast on his life! And so my head is anointed with blessing, and my cup overflows with the wine of his joy.
With such a good Shepherd leading me throughout my life, what have I to fear? His goodness and loving kindness will follow me and you all our lives, until he leads us home to the house of our Father.
‘So do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you. And I will come back and take you to be with me’ (John 14:1–3).
Loving Good Shepherd, I lean back now and rest in your arms. You have my back; you have my life. Breathe your shalom into me. Hold me and carry me home. Amen.
Pauline Simonsen is the dean of Emmaus, a Christian training provider for adults in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Pauline is also a spiritual director and enjoys leading retreats or guest speaking for the wider Christian church. She is married to Roger, and they live with two much-loved cats in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand.
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