Psalm 23 is attributed to David. This wonderful Psalm is known to bring inspiration to the reader as it emphasizes how God provides, guides, and protects. Religions worldwide, including Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faiths, rely on Psalm 23 as cited in Catholic News Agency. Psalm 23 encourages readers to know that our God is ever present as our Good Shephard. He leads and shields us. Our Good Shepard is our Protector and Sustainer in this world of uncertainty.
There came a time when Psalm 23 became fresh to me and changed my life!
It was during the grieving of the loss of my older sister, Angie, that I experienced God in another way through Psalm 23. Had I experienced grief prior to this? Yes. The death of other loved ones like my Granny and father. The passing of close friends. For some reason, though, the pain from the loss of Angie seemed to linger for what felt like forever. Maybe it was because it happened suddenly and unexpectedly. I tried praying, of course, but the agony of her loss did not disappear. So, I went to someone I thought could give me the right words and instructions to help. I went to my pastor.
I explained to my pastor that no matter what I tried, my heart felt like it was in thousands of pieces, and I could do nothing to mend it. My pastor was known for his wisdom so I looked forward to profound words that would proceed from his mouth. He responded, “Read Psalm 23 each day.” If he said anything after that, I do not recall. I was shocked and confused by what I heard. I can still hear my thoughts as if it were today. "Read Psalm 23." Are you kidding me? Is that all you have for me? I had been a member of the church for a few years, and I thought to myself who doesn’t know Psalm 23? What does that have to do with my broken heart? I left the office disappointed and still brokenhearted, but I decided to obey his instruction. Why not? I had nothing to lose.
The next morning, I read Psalm 23 with tears flowing from my eyes. The next day I awoke with the same broken heart and read Psalm 23 again. The tears continued to flow. I continued, daily, reading Psalm 23 and then I understood what my pastor wanted me to know.
I am eager to share with you four ways that Psalm 23 changed my life:
I was broken and desperate from the passing of my sister, and I threw myself into Psalm 23. The more I read it, the more I understood David’s opening declaration, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” This declaration leaves no doubt about who David trusted to provide all his needs - God. Notice David does not say the Lord is "a" shepherd. He proclaims the Lord is “my Shepherd.” It is because of David’s personal battles and challenges that he realized God always showed up for him as David showed up for his sheep. This is my personal declaration today, “The Lord is my Shepherd!” He has proven repeatedly that even in the darkest hours, my God shall supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19, KJV) because He is my Shepherd! I personally know that God is aware and concerned with my deepest heart’s desires and is ready and well-equipped to meet my needs. Therefore, I shall not want.
I daily did my best to push through the pain of Angie’s sudden death. I had not realized the depth of the sorrow I was in, but my Shepherd knew! My heart was not only hurting but my spirit was crushed. My broken heart left me in despair. I could not get to a place of feeling joy and did not see how to overcome this feeling until Psalm 23 began to minister to my spirit. As I read Psalm 23, God did something amazing! He revived my broken spirit. If your heart is broken or your spirit crushed, I encourage you to trust God to do what He promises He will do. The following scriptures became alive to me as I drew closer to God. God promises that if we draw nigh (close/near) to Him that he will draw nigh to us. (James 4:8)
Psalm 34:18 (NIV) – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalms 147:3 (KJV) “He healeth the broken in heart And bindeth up their wounds.” I Peter 5:7 (NIV) – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
When I walked out of my pastor’s office, I made a commitment to read Psalm 23. My intention was to be obedient to the instruction given to me. I know now that I was building my confidence in the power of God’s Word! What the Word of God says about itself is true.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
No matter how bleak the circumstances are, there is hope in knowing the Word of God is alive, active, and gets to the heart of whatever the situation to fix it! As I read Psalm 23 through tear-stained eyes, it proved to me that the Word of God will do what it is intended to do no matter what I am feeling. I felt broken as I read, but the Word of God was healing me. There is no exception; whatever God purposes His Word to accomplish, it will do that! I was merely a vessel willing to obey the Word of God through Psalm 23. But Christ, through his Word, did all the work to heal my broken heart, revive my crushed spirit, and give me joy again.
Psalm 23:4b “…for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (KJV). An article by Steppes of Faith supports my position that with God as my Shepherd, I receive His abiding presence, His rod of protection, and His staff that rescue me when I am in danger. When I was in despair, it was my Shepherd who pulled me close to him with His rod. He guided me with His staff to verses in His Word that would give me hope and comfort. I know that God is the Great Comforter.
If you need comfort, I recommend that you read Psalm 23 daily.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/PatrikStedrak
Sandra Cobb is a grateful mother of three amazing children and grandmother of nine precious grandbabies. She is a certified Forgiveness Coach, speaker, and author of "Free to Forgive." She is passionate about sharing the love of God and testimonies of how faithful He is!