July 29, 2019 

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 
(Psalm 149:1 KJV) 

God created us to be a singing people.  It is what we are called to do in praising and worshipping His holy name. 

Although some of us may not be very good singers, we are all created to be singers nonetheless.  Your ability to sing is wonderfully made.  At about the twelve-week mark, the vocal chords of a baby in the womb has vocal chords in place and subsequently work long hours even before the baby is born. 

God has designed our psyche for singing praises to Him.  When we sing to God, much more than just the voice box is engaged.  We use our minds to shape and judge both pitch and lyric. And we use our minds to think through the concepts that we sing, better remembering the phrases that we sing. 

So sing unto the LORD, knowing that He formed our hearts to be moved with a whole range of emotions celebrating the melody-carried truths of who He is and whose we are. 

New songs of praise are appropriate for new rescues and fresh manifestations of grace. As long as God is gracious toward us, as long as he keeps showing us his power, and wowing us with his works, it is fitting that we not just sing old songs inspired by his past grace, but also that we sing new songs about his ever-streaming, never-ceasing grace. 
- David Mathis 

Blessings to you.

There's just something about singing praises to God.  When we are at our lowest, our hearts cry out to Him in song for help.  When we are at our highest, our praises ring out from the mountaintops with thanksgiving. 

God created us for worship.  We can worship in our car, walking down the road, or just sitting still and singing praise to Him.  Our offering of praise and worship brings glory and honor to Him. 

Today let a song to God ring out from you heart.  He is truly worthy to be praised!

You honor me as Your guest 

and fill my cup til it overflows 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd, who gives us everything we need and provides a place for us to rest.  He leads us to a place of comfort and peace where His living water flows freely giving refreshment to our souls.  We can also trust Him to lead us down His path of righteousness never leaving us alone, all the while protecting us with His staff and rod.  He is with us giving us nourishment even when our enemies are against us. 

Today let us look at the tenth phrase in Psalm 23.   

 You honor me as Your guest and fill my cup til it overflows. 

 Anointing the head with oil was a practice in biblical days that was used to honor a person and to dignify a person.  It means that not only will we be fed or cared for in the presence of our enemies, but we will be honored and dignified, or deeply respected as well.  This is a hard concept to grasp.  The One who deserves honor is bestowing it upon us, who don't even deserve a drop of dignity. 

 "My cup runs over".  This phrase means that we are given even more than we need or can use.  Imagine a cup of water full of water under the faucet in a sink.  As the spicket is turned on, the water continually flows out of the water because the cup cannot contain it.   That is a symbol of God's mercy and blessing towards us.  It means that we are truly abundantly loved, and cared for far beyond our needs or wants.  

Prayer:  

Lord, we are not deserving of the love You have for us, yet You graciously give us beyond what our minds and hearts can comprehend.  May we show You the honor that belongs to You in our lives.  Amen. 

You treat me to a feast 

while my enemies watch. 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd, who gives us everything we need and provides a place for us to rest.  He leads us to a place of comfort and peace where His living water flows freely giving refreshment to our souls.  We can also trust Him to lead us down His path of righteousness never leaving us alone, all the while protecting us with His staff and rod. 

Today let us look at the ninth phrase in Psalm 23. 

You treat me to a feast while my enemies watch. 

This is a very interesting phrase.  It implies that we will encounter “enemies”, or forces that are opposed to us.  It also says that we will be taken care of even in the midst of our opponents.  It does not just say we will survive.  It says that a table or a feast will be spread before us, even while we are in the presence of those forces that oppose us. 

For some of us, this is a difficult phrase to believe when we are going through intense spiritual warfare.  The last thing we see is a banquet set before us.  So what does this mean?  One interpretation could be reflecting on the scripture that says, " Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him" (Psalm 34:8).  When we feast on God's word, He gives us strength to be overcomers even in the presence of our enemies. 

Prayer: 

Lord, You prepare a table before us and we feast on Your word, even in the midst of opposition for Your name's sake.  Amen.

And Your Shepherd's rod 

makes me feel safe 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd, who gives us everything we need and provides a place for us to rest.  He leads us to a place of comfort and peace where His living water flows freely giving refreshment to our souls.  We can also trust Him to lead us down His path of righteousness never leaving us alone. 

Today let us look at the eighth phrase in Psalm 23. 

And Your Shepherd's rod makes me feel safe. 

Traditionally, shepherds carried a rod and a staff to guide the sheep and to ward off wolves or other predators that would harm the sheep.  The metaphor is that the Lord also has his rod and his staff.  You may get prodded or pushed, at times, and it is for your good.  It may be for your protection and to keep you on your path.  The rod and the staff are there to comfort you so that you know that you are cared for and loved. 

Words from a familiar hymn by Dorothy Thrupp come to mind, 

" Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; 
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare. 
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!  Thou hast bought us, Thine we are. 
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!  Thou hast bought us, Thine we are." 

If you are feeling a little poked and prodded from the Lord, know that His intentions for you are nothing but holy and righteous. 

Prayer: 

Lord, You are our Shepherd.  With Your staff and Your rod, You keep us on the right path.  Forgive us when we try to go our own way.   Thank You for being our protector and defender.  Amen.

And You lead me along the right path 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd, who gives us everything we need and provides a place for us to rest.  He also leads us to a place of comfort and peace where His living water flows freely giving refreshment to our souls. 

Today let us look at the sixth phrase in Psalm 23. 

And You lead me along the right path. 

In His word, God refers to Himself as the lamp to our feet and the light to our path.  He knew when He created us that we would need guidance and direction in and for our lives. 

In this Psalm, His role is as Shepherd.  A shepherd leads the sheep where they need to go because they can often make wrong turns and face danger.  We can be a lot like sheep. 

Sometimes it is hard to know which path to take when we are faced with life-changing decisions.  We ask for advice or wisdom from friends or family.  The only One who truly knows what we should do is the Lord.  He has promised us that He will lead us and guide us.  Therefore, as we read His word we can be assured that the Lord will lead us in directions of righteousness, down the path that is true and full of integrity. 

We can be at peace knowing that the path He has chosen for us is the right one. 

Prayer: 

Thank You, Lord for leading us along the right path of life.  We trust You to keep us safe from harm and danger.  Help us to hear Your voice to know the correct path when we are faced with difficult decisions.  Amen.

And You refresh my life; 

You are true to Your name 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd who gives us everything we need and also provides a place for us to rest.  He also leads us to a place of comfort and peace where His living water flows. 

Today let us look at the fifth phrase in Psalm 23. 

And You refresh my life; You are true to Your name. 

We can trust that God will sustain us and renew our lives by supplying us with what is necessary to live.  But God also restores our souls when we are going through difficulties.  He does this because of who He is and because He loves us. 

There is not one person on this earth who has not experience some level of pain, disappointment or grief.  The good news is that our Shepherd cares for us, and He is able to restore our souls.  He restores and heals our minds and emotions, bringing renewal and strength to our lives. 

The Lord, who is our Shepherd is also our provider, sustainer, comforter and healer. 

Prayer: 

Thank You, Lord for bringing restoration to our weary souls when we are going through difficulties in life.  We can trust You to take care of us because of who You are.  Amen.

You lead me to streams 

of peaceful water 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd who gives us everything we need and also provides a place for us to rest. 

Today let us look at the fourth phrase in Psalm 23. 

You lead me to streams of peaceful water. 

Sheep cannot be driven.  Sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and follow him, just as we listen to Christ's Word and obey Him.  The image of still or peaceful waters is rich with the sense of comfort, care and rest.  It may also represent love, peace, beauty and harmony.  God desires us to trust in His promises without worrying about anything.  He refreshes us with the water of His word so that we will never be thirsty again. 

Let us choose to always drink from the living water of Jesus. 

Prayer: 

Lord, lead us and guide us as the Shepherd to Your streams of peaceful water.  We thank You for Your comfort and peace.  Amen.

You let me rest in 

fields of green grass 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

So far we have learned that God is our Shepherd who gives us everything we need.  Today let us look at the third phrase in Psalm 23. 

You let me rest in fields of green grass.  Sheep require plenty of green pasture on which to graze.  So at one level, this line means that God will provide all of my food and other needs.  It deepens and repeats the idea that I shall not want for anything, and that God takes care of me. 

God also mandates that we rest; this is not a suggestion.  So many times we are so busy doing things, we don't take the time to rest.  This can cause stress and illness to our minds and bodies. 

Take the time to rest in the green grass that He has provided for you. 

Prayer: 

Lord, thank You for providing a place of rest for us.  Help us to take the time to relax in Your presence.  Amen.

I will never be in need 

Today we continue sharing the song, Psalm 23, Lord, You Are My Shepherd (click track title to play song).  It is from our latest CD, Before Your Throne. 

Yesterday we learned about the Lord being like a Shepherd to us.  To care for them correctly and safely, sheep require a shepherd to take them to the fertile areas to graze, protect them from predators and other hazards, and keep them together so they don’t stray from the group.  This is the job of the shepherd.  God does this for us, if we submit to His will. 

Today let us look at the second phrase in Psalm 23. 

I will never be in need.  This means that I will have everything I need if I allow God to be my shepherd.  I may not have everything that I want, but I know that I will be cared for, loved, and my needs provided. 

This is a powerful line in the psalm.  It is a blunt and frank statement, and an affirmation.  “I shall not want” means I will be okay, regardlees of my circumstances.   That is how we interpret it.  The line sort of wakes one up and says you can have what you need, when you choose to let God run your life. 

We may not get everything that we want, but with God we definitely have everything we need. 

Prayer: 

Lord, we look to You to be our Provider.  We can trust You to give us everything we need in this life.  Thank You for taking care of us.  Amen.