Passage of the Day:
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,[a] 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, Psalm 23:1-6.
Reflection:
Darkness is a part of every day on earth, along with death and taxes. Yet, as David spent his teenage years as a shepherd for his family’s flock, his perspective began to change. As David fought off dangerous predators each night, the roles were reversed, seeing the Lord as his personal shepherd. While today’s passage is often featured at funerals to bring comfort to troubled souls, these words of David can be a refreshing reminder to your soul.
Prayerful Action:
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:1-3.
Refreshing Your Soul:
While it’s never easy to say goodbye to a friend at their funeral, knowing that their eternal destination is secured in heaven, 1 John 5:12-13, makes a difference. David realized that there will be times in life where you’ll be alone, walking through the darkest valleys in life. Despite these difficult times, there Lord is right there with you through it all, like the Footprints poem.
Song of the Day:
The lyrics of Guide You Home reminds me of David’s words in Psalm 23. David’s son, King Solomon echoes this theme in Proverbs 3:5-6. When your soul trusts in the Lord, He will make your paths straight in life.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 