Let Psalm 23 Be Our Guide
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
The 23rd Psalm is just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” We live in frightening times. I do not want to worry about the 10% chance that Artificial Intelligence will kill us all in less than ten years, as A.I. leaders warn. I am tired of being angry that the East Wing was torn down and no one in power stopped it. I loved taking our daughter to the Kennedy Center when she was in college, and I am frustrated by the threats of its demolition. I am not alone in longing for the promise of having our “souls restored.”
“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 shall fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff and thy staff shall comfort me.” Righteousness is required at a time when politicians use their power to grift the nation out of billions of dollars. While the unethical are taking advantage of us, we worry that the unnecessary war with Iran will cripple our nation’s future for decades, while making the globe more vulnerable to nuclear war. God is calling us to face the shadow of death with the courage to trust God. The war’s evil will not ultimately reign, because thou art with us!
“Thou preparest a banquet before my enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” A banquet isn’t meant to be shared in isolation. It is experienced in community. God is promising us renewal. Even when we don't feel goodness and mercy in our lives, God is working toward restoration.
“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” People have already died in the unnecessary war, and more will face war’s brutality. Thankfully, God’s promise of eternal life doesn’t just occur after we die. Eternal life is already at work in our world and in our lives. “Dwelling in the house of the Lord” is amazing beyond our wildest dreams. We must seek justice, so God’s world can be a little closer to what God intended. These are the promises of Psalm 23. Perhaps our present trials are preparing us to understand and affirm our most beloved Psalm!
