Psalm 23

[sampa]

It began one morning where I felt led to set aside 10minutes just listening to God on Tuesday mornings and Wednsday nights. Well the first time I heard Psalm 23. A co-worker asked me a strange question that morning. Can you pray for me? I was surprised, he's a bit crazy and doesn't seem like the type to ask such a question.

He then proceded to say "Why is it that all the good people die and the bad live?". A co-worker with a good work ethic had been killed in a motorcycle over the weekend. He asked "Can you pray that God will kill all the bad people?", I proceded to say no...with some back and forth pleading and an audience of some wide eyed summer help listening. I proceded to share with him Psalm 23. He tried to sway it to his way, but I said that would be a way to pray.

Today again, he asked me if I had prayed for him. I told him "Psalm 23" and another co-worker going through some difficulties proceded to say "For the Lord is my shepherd..." And the guy asking repeated back and the other went through some other verses as we were busy with our task.
i know a very wierd situation, but a God oppportunity nonetheless.
Any other thoughts on Psalm 23?

 

[dayhiker]

many years ago, I heard a sermon about how psalm 23 fit nicely after Ps.22 where we have the prophesy of the physical suffering of Jesus on the cross. Because of the cross Jesus is my shepard.

 

[Life2Christ]

My pastor just did a 3 part sermon on Psalm 23 which was written by David. This is not a psalm about death but about life. We are the sheep. Sheep don't like to lie down,they like to wander. The shepherd is constantly keeping watch over us. When they feel safe enough to lie down sometimes they flip over in distress and cannot turn back around. The shepherd comes to carry the sheep back or flip it over. The similarities are really amazing. Plus the Psalm is a statement of faith and trust; an affirmation.

A shepherd wrote this book about the simliarities: http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Looks-Psalm-23/dp/0310607043

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Some comments my bible has about Psalm 23

Psalm 23:3 Daily restoration of the anxious, weary soul is a major human need.

23:4 the key provision is the presence of God

23:6 Mercy is the unfailing, steadfast covenant love of God. This lovingkindness is similar to the NT word "grace"


LOVE this Psalm! Thank you for the thread!

 

[sampa]

dayhiker, thanks I'll have to check that out.

Yes, Life, I can agree. The guy that was killed in the motorcycle accident I wrote the verse in the wife's sympathy card. There's a lot of peace in Psalm 23.

No thank you Michelle. Yes, we need restoration many times in our workplaces and I'm hoping the co-worker will be curious enough to look this up and spend time reflecting on that answer for his conflict of what he sees as good and Bad. And what the identity of our saviour is. It gives one piece of who our Lord is.

 

[blackribbon]

Psalms 23 became very real to me in the days after my husband died. I was living in the valley of death...death surrounded me and consumed every aspect of my life...however, God walked with me and carried me through those days. It also provides the "hope" for the time after death when we will be with the Lord and the shadow no longer hangs over us. It is the ultimate verses about learning to trust God even when we don't feel Him. He is always with us even when all we feel are cold shadows.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Blackribbon! Amen!

 

[sampa]

Psalms 23 became very real to me in the days after my husband died. I was living in the valley of death...death surrounded me and consumed every aspect of my life...however, God walked with me and carried me through those days. It also provides the "hope" for the time after death when we will be with the Lord and the shadow no longer hangs over us. It is the ultimate verses about learning to trust God even when we don't feel Him. He is always with us even when all we feel are cold shadows.

blackribbon, I'd agree it can be a powerful verse and I'm beginning to realize this. I'll need to reflect on this more and I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Psalms 23 became very real to me in the days after my husband died. I was living in the valley of death...death surrounded me and consumed every aspect of my life...however, God walked with me and carried me through those days. It also provides the "hope" for the time after death when we will be with the Lord and the shadow no longer hangs over us. It is the ultimate verses about learning to trust God even when we don't feel Him. He is always with us even when all we feel are cold shadows.

I know exactly what you mean as it was the same for me when I lost my wife. It's even with me to this day because of all the health issues I've been having and they all seem to be life threatening issues that I develop? I've had friends tell me that perhaps this is my purpose and that I'm being tested in my faith and that's why I've had all these medical issues???

I keep plugging away asking God for His love & mercy and if it is my time, to please give me strength and courage to get thru all of this? At times I am comforted and times I am very frightened but, I always pray to God for healing and strength and I'm still here so... that's a good thing in my eyes.