Words by Bev Jones
A Resting Place
Yesterday was a difficult day for our family. It was a day in many ways filled with uncertainty and fear, and yet in the midst of it, I was able to marvel at just how personal and all encompassing is this love of God.
On Saturday evening, a friend sent a link to Michael W. Smith reading Psalm 23 from The Passion Translation. It’s probably one of the most well-known Psalms in the Bible, but this translation just seems to take it to an even more personal level. Little did I realise as I read it on Saturday, that this was one of those examples of God having gone ahead to provide what I needed even before I was aware that I would need it.
Photo by Rose Erkul via Unsplash
Psalm 23
The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.
I always have more than enough.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.
That’s where he restores and revives my life.
He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honour to his name.
Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.
Your authority is my strength and my peace.
The comfort of your love takes away my fear.
I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.
You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight.
You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.
So why would I fear the future?
For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.
Then afterward, when my life is through,
I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
If you feel a nudge from God today, act on it. If you feel Him prompting you to do something, say something, or send something to someone – just do it. Even if you don’t know why – just act upon it. You could be the answer to a prayer that is as yet unuttered. You could be part of God going before someone, walking beside them or hemming them in. You just never know.
Photo by Biegun Wschondi via Unsplash
As I got into bed last night, another friend sent me the ‘niteblessing’ from Malcolm Duncan, which in this time of uncertainty seems so appropriate for us all:
May you know God’s Presence with you always. Whether in the joy and hope of obvious blessing or in the mystery and shadow of uncertainty. May you remember that God’s grace remains constant. In all of life God’s Hand is stretched toward us and God’s heart is for us.
Today is a new day. I have no idea yet what it holds, and from an earthly, human perspective, I have no idea what the future holds. But I do have confidence in The One who holds the future, and I walk in the knowledge that He goes before me, walks beside me and hems me in. And I feel truly blessed.
Bev Jones
11/5/20
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