God's fingerprints are on everything. When we open our eyes to see beyond the physical, tangible realities, God reveals new truths...spiritual realities. These new revelations require trust, a quiet pause. When we take the time to stop the noise, God speaks. Stillness allows us to hear from Him. The world is loud. It demands success and perfection, and incites chaos and confusion. God wants to bring clarity and peace.
Psalms 23 is a passage that many people meditate on when the voices get loud and the pressure mounts. This chapter can be divided into 7 helpful truths that will bring peace in our storms.
1. The Lord is our shepherd, our guide. He is our fierce protector, and He longs to provide for our every need. Our responsibility is to listen for His direction. Our obedience to God's voice keeps us safe, in the same way shelter keeps us safe from severe weather. When we step out from under that covering, we're exposed to the outside elements that God wants to protect us from.
2. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. This imagery of open fields and peaceful water describes a space free from fear, anxiety and noise. Only God can provide freedom from the struggles of our world. The word freedom is defined as "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved." Anxiety, depression, and fear can keep us captive, imprisoned by things that we have no control over. As we learn to loosen our grip on these circumstances, situations and pain, God lifts these burdens. Consider the difference between a clinched fist and an open hand. A fist brings tension and strain, typically associated with fighting or holding on to something. An opened hand is more relaxed, letting go...ready to receive. In this place of surrender, we can find a place of true and complete rest in Him.
3. God wants to restore our souls and renew our strength. Psalms 3:3 states that He is the lifter of our head. Conversely, the things of this world drain us. The worries and concerns, our activities and responsibilities suck the life out of us. How often do our heads drop in discouragement when we look at the state of our nation? But as David, the author of this psalm found, God restores our life (and lifts our head) when we pursue what pleases Him and rest in His plan. As we fix our eyes on the Lord, we can see the bigger picture instead of getting caught up in the minute details swirling around us. What we choose to focus on determines the source of our hope and strength. If you focus on your bank account, the numbers will determine the level of your hope; if you keep your eyes fixed on the stability of our government, your strength is going to waver based on the decisions being made. Seasons change, people change, but Jesus remains the same. He is strong enough to overcome it all, and HAS! Action step: As we seek to focus our eyes on God, ask Him "Lord, what do you want me to know? What do you want me to do?" And then wait and listen.
4. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in His footsteps of righteousness (or "right"ness). One Bible commentary describes this as a circular path. Sheep don't walk straight up the mountainside. This would be too much--physically draining, mentally and emotionally overwhelming. Shepherds know this about their flock and lead them gradually up the mountain by walking in circles. This path leads to higher ground, although it may seem like they are going in circles...staying in the same place. This journey to higher ground is always about bringing honor to the Lord. Again, ask the question, "God, what do you want me to do in this situation? What is my next step?"
5. "Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have!" God's authority (the shepherd's rod and staff) is my strength and my peace. My circumstances don't have to determine my feelings or perspective. The comfort of God's love and care can lift our anxieties and fears, like a child who feels settled and safe when their parent is near. As children, we trust that our parents know what's best for us and will take care of our needs. How much more can we trust the wisdom, strength and love of our God?
6. He anoints us with His Holy Spirit. To anoint means to choose, call or designate. He empowers us to do His will and gives us more than we need (my cup overflows) to follow Him in our calling. When God answers the questions about our next steps, there is a sense of peace and surety in moving forward. This doesn't mean the path will be easy, but there will be a victorious ending. We can trust that He has our good in mind, while knowing that this good future is all because of His guidance and help.
7. So why would I fear the future? Verse 6 tells us that only goodness and tender love pursue us all the days of our lives. And when our life comes to an end, we return to God's glorious presence where there will be never ending peace and joy, complete wholeness and healing for eternity.
We long for resolution in our difficult relationships. We long for our wounds to be healed. We long for answers to the problems we face and comfort in the struggles. Nothing in this world will bring the answers we're looking for. I cannot bring deep peace to myself, much less to those around me...as much as I wish I could! We all bring weaknesses and failures to the table. Each of us have blind spots and sin in our lives. My desire to be perfect or to have a perfect family, or to be a perfect friend will never happen on this side of eternity. I can only be a light that guides people to The Answer; a conduit that brings God's word and perspective into a situation.
The spiritual realities I referred to earlier bring the answers to our world's problems...to the physical realities. God's spirit fills the gaps of my imperfection. My desire is to trust Him more and just walk, one step at a time, circling up the mountain. He IS our shepherd, our protector and guide, who leads us towards peace and fulfillment. This world will leave us lacking, but God can fill the gaps. He will infuse those gaps with hope and healing and restoration when we trust Him with our journey.
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