Warfare, Rest and Relationship

Today I want to share my thoughts on a very familiar passage of scripture, Psalm 23.  I would venture to say Psalm 23 is one of the most well known passages among pre-believers (sounds better than unbelievers, don't you agree?)

Most of us probably associate Psalm 23 with physical death as this passage is read at many funerals.  In today's blog I would like to propose to you it's not really about physical death at all, but who God is.

Let's start by reading it:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (NIV)

Let's start with verse two, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters..."  What do you think of when you think of the color green?  I think of life, abundance, fertility and growth to name a few.  David, being a shepherd himself, can relate to the significance of green pastures.  Green pastures to me represent those seasons of our lives where everything is healthy and thriving.

What visual does quiet waters give you?  Again I think of life and I am reminded of Ezekiel 47:9, "where the river flows everything will live."

When I read verse two I hear permission to be at rest.  Lie down.  Enjoy.  Contemplate the goodness of God.  Be refreshed and revived.  Live!  Take a cool drink of Him and allow Him to restore your soul.  Oh, I could just camp out here and go on and on...but let's keep moving:)

Jumping to verse four, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

When you read verse four what do you think of?  What is the shadow of death to you?  For me I think of darkness, bondage, entrapment...basically any area the enemy has his hand on.  What I really what to point out here is His instruction.  What do you do when you are in the valley?  You walk.  Keep moving, there is nothing to fear.

Do you get that?  In the good times (v2) you rest and in the bad times, you walk...in other words, you don't have to camp out there!!!!  While you are walking you choose to believe the Truth...you are not alone; He is with you!!!  Holy Spirit is in you and He is the source of all comfort!

Next time you are facing the darkness remember to keep moving.  Anybody else hearing the tune from the Disney movie Finding Nemo?  "Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming."  Change it to "just keep walking, just keep walking, just keep walking."  If you have no clue what I'm talking about listen to the clip on youtube here...after you've finished reading this blog post, of course;)

Are you getting this?  It's so good and my favorite part is next.  Verse five, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."  Let's focus on the first part of verse five.  What does a prepared table remind you of?  Food, of course!

In most cultures what does a table of food represent?  It represents fellowship!  Let's do lunch...potluck...dinner...meet over coffee?  We eat.  We laugh.  We talk.  We share.  We grow.  We live life together...at the table.  Are you following me?

Take note of who is not invited to sit at the table...your enemies.  Satan lost his place at the table.  He can only watch from a distance!

When I first realized spiritual warfare was real I went all out.  I drew the line at painting my face with war paint, but I was real close;)  My prayers were more like shouts and they were focused on the enemy.  All in the name of Jesus, of course; but, wow, was I exhausted!  Not saying that's wrong, but I think there's a more excellent way to battle and that's through fellowship with my Papa...at rest, in Him and in who He makes me.  This is warfare through relationship and intimacy!

At the table with Him you can learn who He makes you.  Face to face.  You can even recline if you wish!  When you know who He is, you know that He is bigger than any circumstance, any situation, any crisis, any problem, any opposition, any devil and any enemy!!!!!

And, as a bonus, you are promised goodness and love will follow you around all the days of your life here on this earth and dwelling place with the Lord for eternity (v6.) You are a target of His goodness!  That deserves a SHOUT of praise right there!!!!

In summary, bask in the good times with a heart ever thankful before God.  Keep walking with Him when things look scary and/or dark.  Don't neglect feasting at His table daily...spend time with Him, not out of obligation or duty, but because you are madly, deeply, crazy in love with Him and lovers spend time together!

I hope you see this passage of scripture in a brand new way.  It's not just for funerals, people!

Father God, thank You!  Thank you for providing an abiding place where I am not only safe, but equipped and restored.  Thank You for walking with me through the storms of life.  Please remind my heart of this truth when it feels like the darkness will consume me.  Thank You for being a good Daddy who enjoys my company.  Thank You for laughter.  Thank You for rest.  Thank You for making me a target of Your goodness and love!  My Soul Sings because I no longer need to battle alone or as an orphan!  Papa, I love You!  Amen!

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