Suffering Does Something | Diamonds in the Dust with Joni Eareckson Tada - YouTube

Suffering Does Something | Diamonds in the Dust with Joni Eareckson Tada - Psalm 23:1-6


A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
   2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
   3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.


5 You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
   forever.



Commentary


1. My Shepherd

God cares for us like a shepherd cares for their sheep. There are times when I have felt spiritually drained. I love the fact that ‘He refreshes my soul’ (v.3a). Many times, I have written down situations in which I have needed guidance, and later I have been able to thank God because ‘He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake’ (v.3b). God has a great purpose for your life. Let him guide you along the right path for you. You don’t have to go through life full of fear, because he is with you (v.4).


2. My Host

The scene changes from a shepherd with his sheep to a host with his guest. This is a wonderful picture of what it is like to get alone with God in the midst of all the hassles of life: ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies’ (v.5a). He satisfies the hunger in your soul with a feast. Accept his invitation and spend time each day feeding your soul in his presence.


All of us will at some stage ‘walk through the valley of the shadow of death’ (v.4), facing our own death or the death of someone we love. Even then we need not be afraid because the Lord is with us (v.4).


I have often read this psalm to people who are very sick or dying. It is a great comfort to know that the Lord is near to us at all times: ‘Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever’ (v.6).



Prayer


Lord, thank you for the way in which you have led me and protected me. Thank you that you satisfy my spiritual hunger and thirst with your presence and your love.

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