Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)

written by Jonathan Waggett, Worship Pastor (July 1, 2023)

Grass on the field during sunrise. Agricultural landscape in the summer time

I enjoy reading and meditating on the Psalms, so I'm grateful that we are spending our summer Sunday mornings in the Psalms once again. I imagine that I'm not alone. And you may remember me writing about the Psalms only a few months ago. (Click to read "The Psalms: Good for the Soul".) This time, I want to spend a moment reflecting on the familiar 23rd Psalm as we look forward to it being preached on Sunday, July 16. Join us!

Psalm 23 is one of great encouragement. We're reminded that God shepherds and leads us. We have all we need in Him. He comforts. He is good. And He loves us. These are reasons to rejoice and praise God! It comes natural for us to worship the Lord when we all is right in our lives. But what about when you're walking through the valley of the shadow of death? Or when you find yourself sitting at the table in the presence of your enemies?

He is the same and completely praise-worthy. He is still your great Shepherd. He is WITH you in that valley. He is WITH you at that table. Be reminded and encouraged: you are not alone.

A few years ago, I was blessed to be on a Zoom call (yes, in the early-COVID days) with Mike Harland of LifeWay Worship and other worship leaders. This time was meant to simply encourage. Mike led us through an exercise that I'd like to share with you.

Disclaimer: This exercise is not advocating for re-writing, or even re-translating, the Word of God. This personal exercise is simply designed to assist you in your meditation on what God has already spoken through His Word to you - right now.

Okay, so here's what you're going to do: fill in the blanks with the words or phrases that the Lord places on your heart/mind. Be informed by Scripture and by what He's done (or is currently doing) in your life. Write in the first person - from YOUR viewpoint as a momentary psalmist. Don't rush. Take advantage of this time spent with the Lord, leading you to praise!

The Lord is my ______________; I shall not want.
He ______________________________.
He leads me ________________.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in ___________________
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the ____________________,
I will fear no __________,
for you are with me;
your _______ and your ________,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of ______________;
you anoint my head with __________;
my cup overflows.
Surely ____________ and ____________ shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell ___________________ forever.

I pray that this has been a meaningful time of communion with the Lord - even while walking through a valley, perhaps. He is so good. May your worship through difficult seasons and trials be a testimony of God's goodness and love to a watching world. And if you'd like to share your Psalm 23, I'd love to read it! Send me an email. I'll leave you with a song that we will be singing on July 16: Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone).