February 26, 2011
I love reading the Bible in three different versions at the same time. I memorized Psalm 23 years ago. But what sometimes happens is that you automatically know the words and skip over the meaning. The NCV brings the focus back to what it is saying:
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures,
He leads me to calm waters
He gives me new strength.
He leads me on the paths that are right
for the good of his name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
I will not be afraid,
because you are with me.
Your rod and your walking stick comfort me.
You prepare a meal for me
in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head;
You fill my cup to overflowing.
Surely your goodness and love will be with me
all my life.
and I will live in the house of the the LORD forever.
The key is in the first verse. Full surrender to THE LORD! Not God as our partner. Not God as our Co-Pilot. The LORD as our shepherd with complete authority. Full surrender! He directs—we follow. He guides. He protects. He provides. He supports. He promises. He delivers.
Through. God promises to take us through the valleys. Praise the LORD.
Through. God has promised it and I believe it.
Isaiah 43:2 - "When you pass through the waters. I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God."
Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has written Isaiah 43:2 as a cross reference for Psalm 23.
Mom called and told me to read Isaiah 43:2 on 3/31/08. She had just read the verse and felt it was God's promise to her for our safety while navigating "the storm." Mom wanted to encourage us as we walk through this difficult time.
Addendum: 2/7/15 ~ "You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies." The provisions God provides for us doesn't necessarily mean the enemy is gone. He takes care of us in front of our enemies. Our enemies presence does not affect God's promises. We are safe and taken care of even in their presence.
But think about it from "the enemy or aggressor" point of view. It has to be extremely irritating and maddening to watch the person you are trying to destroy go on with their everyday lives totally unaffected by your actions. The enemy (aggressor) is forced to watch the person they have tried to make a "victim" being taken care of in spite of their actions, watching them sit down to a prepared meal, and having oil (provisions and blessings) poured over them to the point of overflowing. Watching their "victims" lives continue on with success and happiness has to be maddening and would be enough to drive an aggressor crazy. Nothing anyone else says or does can EVER circumvent God's plan, purpose, or provision in our lives. "Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever."
Who has the right to claim God's promises? "Only those with clean hands and pure hearts, who have not worshiped idols, who have not made promises in the name of a false god. They will receive a blessing from the LORD; the God who saves them will declare them right. They try to follow God; they look to the God of Jacob for help." Idols—anything or anyone (including ourselves) that we hold on to or value more than fully surrendering to HIS authority and completely following HIS words and HIS commands.
Next Entry: Psalm 25:1 – 26:12
I love reading the Bible in three different versions at the same time. I memorized Psalm 23 years ago. But what sometimes happens is that you automatically know the words and skip over the meaning. The NCV brings the focus back to what it is saying:
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures,
He leads me to calm waters
He gives me new strength.
He leads me on the paths that are right
for the good of his name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
I will not be afraid,
because you are with me.
Your rod and your walking stick comfort me.
You prepare a meal for me
in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head;
You fill my cup to overflowing.
Surely your goodness and love will be with me
all my life.
and I will live in the house of the the LORD forever.
The key is in the first verse. Full surrender to THE LORD! Not God as our partner. Not God as our Co-Pilot. The LORD as our shepherd with complete authority. Full surrender! He directs—we follow. He guides. He protects. He provides. He supports. He promises. He delivers.
Through. God promises to take us through the valleys. Praise the LORD.
"He will see you through; He's promised, He will see you through. He will be for you, a refuge. He will see you through! He will be your peace in the night. He will be your strength in the fight. He will see you through. He loves you. He will see you through!
Our God is merciful and He is mighty. He knows your need before you even call. He is faithful to carry every burden. He is able to see you through it all.
When we can't see an answer, God's still working. His plan is greater than we can conceive. He is able to carry out His purpose. He is ready to meet your every need.
He will see you through; He's promised. He will see you through. He will be for you, a refuge. He will see you through! He will be your peace in the night. He will be your strength in the fight. He will see you through. He loves you. He will see you through."
(By Cheryll and Ron Cochran)
Isaiah 43:2 - "When you pass through the waters. I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God."
Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has written Isaiah 43:2 as a cross reference for Psalm 23.
Mom called and told me to read Isaiah 43:2 on 3/31/08. She had just read the verse and felt it was God's promise to her for our safety while navigating "the storm." Mom wanted to encourage us as we walk through this difficult time.
Addendum: 2/7/15 ~ "You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies." The provisions God provides for us doesn't necessarily mean the enemy is gone. He takes care of us in front of our enemies. Our enemies presence does not affect God's promises. We are safe and taken care of even in their presence.
But think about it from "the enemy or aggressor" point of view. It has to be extremely irritating and maddening to watch the person you are trying to destroy go on with their everyday lives totally unaffected by your actions. The enemy (aggressor) is forced to watch the person they have tried to make a "victim" being taken care of in spite of their actions, watching them sit down to a prepared meal, and having oil (provisions and blessings) poured over them to the point of overflowing. Watching their "victims" lives continue on with success and happiness has to be maddening and would be enough to drive an aggressor crazy. Nothing anyone else says or does can EVER circumvent God's plan, purpose, or provision in our lives. "Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever."
Who has the right to claim God's promises? "Only those with clean hands and pure hearts, who have not worshiped idols, who have not made promises in the name of a false god. They will receive a blessing from the LORD; the God who saves them will declare them right. They try to follow God; they look to the God of Jacob for help." Idols—anything or anyone (including ourselves) that we hold on to or value more than fully surrendering to HIS authority and completely following HIS words and HIS commands.
Next Entry: Psalm 25:1 – 26:12
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