Day 2 - Week 91 - Psalm 23:6, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

We're on the last verse of this most treasured chapter of Psalms.  Let's recite the chapter so far,

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul.  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 will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.

And now,

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

It's easy to see why this chapter is one of everyone's favorites.  It is packed with comfort and assurance of who our God is...our loving Shepherd....guiding us along our entire pathway of life.  And then ending up with this sentence of ultimate assurance, with God as our Shepherd...

1.  Our days on earth are filled with goodness and mercy.  We are not promised lives without trouble, but when troubles come ---our days in the valley of the shadow of death--- we are promised that God always provides sufficient goodness and mercy to see us through those hard days.  Those are the days when His rod and staff are hemming us in and keeping us close and safe, staving off the enemy who may be trying to steal us away.  Our Shepherd is always with us.  His goodness and His mercies are always surrounding us and offered to us.

2.  We will dwell in His house forever.  That's the best part, isn't it?  No matter what our earthly path entails, we can look forward to forever in His house!  And what a glorious home that will be..."no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love Him."  I think we aren't told any more about heaven because it is beyond what our words can describe.  We just cannot fathom what is in store for us when we live with our Father forever.  If the Bible did describe it to us, I don't think it would make sense to our human minds.  We will be in a place where there is no time, where our bodies will be in a new and glorified state allowing us unlimited abilities, things that we just can't get our earthly minds to perceive.  But what we are told let's us know that this is the place that God has prepared for us and this is the place that our souls long for and for which we were created.  This is the place that God desires all of us to reside for eternity.

Do you want to live there?
God has made a way....His name is Jesus!  He is the Way!  Accept Him - God is already preparing a place for you!

Day 1 - Week 91 - The last stretch is always the longest, isn't it?

Here we are...the last 10 weeks of our 100 week journey!  (Even though I fully realize that these have not been consecutive weeks these past months...but nevertheless, 100 weeks of travel!)

Remember the Appalachian Trail?  We've compared our Biblical journey to the trek made along the eastern United States by determined hikers.  Well, the southern trail head of the Appalachian Trail is in southern Georgia...and where would we find ourselves today?  We would be approximately 80 miles into the last state of the journey...Maine.  Have you ever been there?  What a beautiful place!  Picturesque coast lands, lighthouses, and inland lakes and mountains.

But along the Appalachian Trail in southern Maine, hikers must pass through the Mahoosuc Notch. According to Wikipedia, 

"The notch is a deep gap in the Mahoosuc Range of western Maine, traversed by the Appalachian Trail.  The boulders on this mile-long section of trail present obstacles that must be climbed over and sometimes under, creating a unique hiking experience.  There are occasional ten-foot drops, and places where packs must be removed to squeeze beneath a boulder.  Many thru-hikers call this stretch one of the slowest on the 2,179-mile trail.  This so-called "killer mile" or the "Toughest Mile" is a very tough section that can cause even the most experienced hikers to slow down."  

It is really amazing that I decided tonight to pick back up on the Appalachian Trail analogy, and then that I was pulled into reading about the Mahoosuc Notch (of which I had never heard before!).  I really couldn't believe it when I read the description of this section of the trail.  It describes almost perfectly the very same section of trail that I have been covering in my spiritual trek over the past few miles.  In my on-going "hike" of faith, this most recent section has proved to be particularly tough.  There have been obstacles that have either had to be climbed over or crawled under, creating a most "unique hiking experience!"  This hike has been unlike any other for me.  There have been "occasional ten-foot drops", days that the bottom just seemed to fall out from under me...days full of anxiety, worries, mind-wrestling.  Some days, I just had to take the pack off my back and squeeze through!  And, as you have obviously noticed, this section has forced me to slow down...even though I felt that I was a fairly experienced "faith hiker."  

What encourages me about reading this description is that the hikers continue!  They get through the Notch, and once through I have no doubt that they have a fairly significant feeling of accomplishment.  Just as we, as God's children, as the Shepherd's lambs, do when we come through the trials of faith, hanging on, squeezing through the notch, and "doing it!"  Doesn't the expression on this hiker's face convey that spirit of achievement?

I have no doubt that God allowed me to see this description tonight as encouragement to keep up the hike...to move forward...not to let this "Toughest Mile" keep me from seeing the beauty ahead.  

So, the backpack is back on --- the hike continues.  Thanks for taking this tough mile slow with me, but now let's pick up the pace and move forward and complete the journey set before us!  

We've got some beautiful places yet to see!

Day 3 - Week 90 - Psalm 23:5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over."

From Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - 

"Thou preparest a table before me;
 thou hast provided for me all things pertaining both to life and godliness, all things requisite both for body and soul, for time and eternity:’’ such a bountiful benefactor is God to all his people; and it becomes them abundantly to utter his great goodness, as David here, who acknowledges, 
(1.) That he had food convenient, a table spread, a cup filled, meat for his hunger, drink for his thirst. (2.) That he had it carefully and readily provided for him. His table was not spread with any thing that came next to hand, but prepared, and prepared before him. 
(3.) That he was not stinted, was not straitened, but had abundance: "My cup runs over, enough for myself and my friends too.’’ 
(4.) That he had not only for necessity, but for ornament and delight: Thou anointest my head with oil. Samuel anointed him king, which was a certain pledge of further favor; but this is rather an instance of the plenty with which God had blessed him, or an allusion to the extraordinary entertainment of special friends, whose heads they anointed with oil, Luke 7:46.....not only thus nobly, but thus tenderly, are the children of God looked after. Plentiful provision is made for their bodies, for their souls, for the life that now is and for that which is to come. If Providence do not bestow upon us thus plentifully for our natural life, it is our own fault if it be not made up to us in spiritual blessings."


I love reading Matthew Henry's writings of long ago.  Even though he wrote in the early 1700s, his words often express my thoughts, but in much more eloquent verbiage.  

In the above, do you pick up on the abundance of God's provision for us...not just for this earthly life, but for all eternity.  And, as he says, if our "natural life" does not contain an abundance of earthly goods, we are still plentifully provided for due to the spiritual blessings that we have due to His beautiful, saving grace.

I also love the thought that he expresses in that God does not just provide for us with any old thing that happens to be handy to throw at us, no PBJ sandwiches for our banquet, He prepares our provision...he lays it out before us a carefully prepared table of goods.  And he does this in front of our enemies, so that they can see just how profusely our Father loves His children.  

Sometimes I fail to see just how abundantly my Father God takes care of me, but at other times that beautiful table is made so clear to me.  That beautiful table that includes so many earthly blessings that I have enjoyed, but more importantly displays those platters of overflowing grace, mercy and life everlasting.  What a table it is..come join me there...all are invited!

(As I write this, I'm listening to Travis Cottrell sing, "In Christ Alone"...what a chorus to dine by!)

Day 2 - Psalm 23:5 "Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over."

In the Psalms there are many references to "enemies."  David was usually writing about real, true-to-life, enemies...people who were pursuing him, threatening his life, or challenging his leadership.  

But when I read the Psalms and apply them to my life, I view their references to "my enemies" as the forces that are attempting to separate me from relationship with God...Satan and his demons, his schemes, his deception.  

When we have gone through a trial or tribulation and know that Satan has been at play in our lives, and are now through the valley, high on the tableland, seeing the banquet table set before us, we can certainly take delight in knowing that Satan is getting to watch us as we are comforted and blessed by our Father.  

I don't know about you, but it really makes me smile knowing that Satan gets to watch us as we dine in abundance at our Father's table, that he watches as we are anointed knowing that we are certainly out of his reach, sealed for eternity.  (Ephesians 4:30)

Satan loses...we win....God saves.  Blessings overflow.

Day 1 - Week 90 - Out of the valley!

Psalm 23:5  "Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over." (KJV)

"As the geography of Psalm 23 progresses, we have now reached the high plateaus and tablelands where the shepherd's muscles are put to the test.  There are rocks to disgorge, briars to clear, pastures to cultivate for the flocks, water to be channeled, and mountain lions to be driven away.  Our Shepherd provides for us even in remote places, even in the presence of predatory foes.

"Sometimes we encounter human enemies scheming coworkers, unpleasant neighbors, or hostile family members.  Worse enemies lurk within us---selfish thoughts, filthy minds, jealous attitudes, or bitter spirits.  Most dangerous of all are satanic spiritual forces prowling around like roaring lions looking for sheep to devour.

"Our Shepherd delivers us from all foes.  Jesus said, 'My sheep hear My voice, I know them and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish---ever!  No one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)"  ~ Robert J. Morgan, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, [Holman Christian Standard Version of the Bible]

This is good for me to ponder on tonight, knowing that no matter the enemy, my Shepherd is fighting for me and preparing a table for me in their presence.  While the enemy may think they have us, my Shepherd is saying, "not so fast --- this one is Mine."  The table is being spread for the victory feast...the victory that comes after the struggle.  

After the struggle, the feast is the sweetest, the anointing the most meaningful, and the blessing most appreciated....then, in recognition of our Shepherd's provision, we can most sincerely say, "My cup runneth over."

OK - I can't honestly say what day, or what week we're in, but I know where I am!

Excuse me, again, for taking a "time out" from blogging.  It is hard to write about what I have been going through.  I think when I last wrote on Psalm 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil", I was stopped.  For I knew that's exactly where I was.  I have been in the dark valley of fear and doubt, the valley where Satan loves to try to convince us that we are alone.  But through the use of Scripture, prayer and battling in my mind as to what I know to be true, even when my feelings told me otherwise, I am coming through this valley, and I am coming through knowing that my God has walked beside me every step, every moment.  I am walking up out of the valley, feeling God's right hand grasping mine, pulling me up to the next step.  I'm becoming excited about what God is getting ready to show to me, asking Him to not let me stay where I have been, or even where I was before, to pull me up to a new place, a new vista, to see things that He is now ready to share with me that I was not ready for before.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

When you are gripped by fear, remember that you are not alone.  Remember the true words of our Father...go back and see His words of love throughout the Bible.  Read how many times He was ready to forgive...Abraham, Jacob, David, and so many subsequent kings of Israel & Judah, kings who did evil in His sight, but turned and repented and were forgiven, because of His mercy and love.  Read of Jesus' compassion for all people and know that, through the blood of Jesus, you are His beloved.

We are living in exciting, but yet troubling times.  Our world is facing unusual threats from multiple fronts---conflict, the economy, weather phenomena, and now asteroids!  It is time to get serious about our faith!  If you have thought before, "some day I will dig in and give all my life to Christ", I would urge you to make today that day.  Our world needs committed Christians, looking to God for every decision; allowing Him to lead us and to keep us from evil.  We need to ask for stronger faiths, for more resilience to temptation, for wholehearted devotion to His purpose, and for the ability to see where He is asking us to serve.  I am asking for those things.  Pray with me - turn with me - repent with me - and serve Him with me.  

Day 2 - Week 89 - Psalm 23:4 "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

"With this verse we've reached the halfway point in Psalm 23, a comforting thought.  It means the valley doesn't last forever.  In the next verses we'll discover highland tables, overflowing cups, unfailing goodness and mercy, and an eternal home."  ~ Robert J. Morgan, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart

When we are in the middle of the valley of the shadow of death, it is sometimes hard to see that there is anything but a continuous journey of darkness laid out ahead of us.  But the Psalmist reminds us through the rest of the chapter that beyond the dark valley there are places of blessing still to be reached.

Robert J. Morgan also writes, "God leads us in the right paths, even when our circumstances appear dark and difficult.  Sometimes our route threads through dark valleys as we face stress and strain, grief and sadness.  During such times we 'fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff---they comfort me.'"

The Shepherd is always leading His sheep---in the green pastures, by the still waters, and in the dark valleys.   The sheep follow their Shepherd, they hear His voice, and they follow.  And when they are afraid of the dark, He comforts them with a prod of His rod, a nudge of His staff, reminding them that they are cared for, and that they are never alone.