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Psalm 23 Lessons on Rest

September 23, 2022 by Lauren 14 Comments

A dear friend of mine asked me to do a Bible study with her.  It almost didn’t matter what she wanted to study.  I would say yes to just about anything to get to spend time with her.  But what did she want to study?  Jennifer Rothschild’s Psalm 23:  The Shepherd with Me.

 

What?  A six week study on a passage of scripture full of calm, peaceful verses?  The “he makes me lie down” chapter during the year I’m focusing on “rest”?  That “yes” was a no-brainer.  Our Father is so kind to put lessons on my word for the year right in front of my face.

 

In the first week’s study I learned that some scholars believe David wrote Psalm 23 when he was on the run during the civil war brought on by his son Absalom’s rebellion.  Whether or not that’s true, we know from history that David had been through some stuff.  He had faced down a murderous giant, feared for his life at the hand of King Solomon and fought against the overthrow of his reign – among many other trials.  His own son wanted to kill him.  And yet he wrote this:

 

Psalm 23 NASB

 

“The Lord is my shepherd,
I [a]shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside [b]quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the [c]paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the [d]valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no [e]evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You [f]have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 [g]Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will [h]dwell in the house of the Lord[i]forever.” 

 

The Lessons

 

David wrote of his abundance in the Lord.  Because of God’s care and mercy, he boldly proclaimed that he feared no evil.  Even as he was being hunted down like a dog.

 

No matter what I’m going through, “my cup overflows” too.  “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life”.  And you too.  We can rest on that.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up.

I was so glad to see Katie R Dale back on the link up last week.  Her post To Do or Not to Do, That’s the Question helps continue the conversation on rest.  She offers a very practical approach to deciding what should and shouldn’t be on your plate!

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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Filed Under: Bible reading, Christian, Grace & Truth Link Up, provision, rest, suffering, trusting God

Comments

  1. Tammy Kennington says

    September 23, 2022 at 12:49 pm

    Hi Lauren,

    At the same time I’ve been writing about weariness, God has been leading me to posts about rest. It’s obvious He is trying to teach me something.

    I loved Katie’s post last week. Her process for decision-making was so useful!

    I hope you are doing well.

    Blessings,
    Tammy

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 23, 2022 at 1:48 pm

      Thank you for adding your agreement here. We are in this learning process together!

      Reply
  2. Lisa Kay Blair says

    September 23, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    David showed maturity, love and honor when he refused to raise his hand against King Saul. And David showed heart trust and soul rest in the Lord through all of the difficult challenges he faced.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 23, 2022 at 5:04 pm

      Probably some of the reasons he is called a man after God’s own heart!

      Reply
  3. Lisa Blair says

    September 23, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    Psalm 23 sounds like a great study for intentional rest, Lauren.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 23, 2022 at 5:03 pm

      I am still learning a lot about it. I have finished the study, but I’m going back thru it.

      Reply
  4. Linda Stoll says

    September 23, 2022 at 8:36 pm

    What an invitation, Lauren. The older I get, the more at peace I am when I say yes, please, Lord, when He calls me apart from the craziness and invites me to the quiet places.

    ‘Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’
    – Matthew 11:28

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 3, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      Praying for that peace and rest for both of us today.

      Reply
  5. Maryleigh says

    September 26, 2022 at 9:55 am

    He had peace even as he was being pursued – that is, indeed, such good food for thought! A good Monday morning lesson as I go into the week!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 3, 2022 at 2:27 pm

      I keep thinking if David could have peace in that, what can’t I be peaceful through?

      Reply
  6. Lisa notes says

    September 28, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    Psalm 23 remains one of my very favorite passages in the Bible for all-time. I’m glad you were able to study it with your friend. I love reminding myself that God’s goodness and mercy are always following me. It brings me rest too. Glad you shared this with our One Word linkup, Lauren!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 3, 2022 at 2:26 pm

      Thanks for hosting, Lisa. I am learning so much about God and myself through my one-word.

      Reply
  7. Jodee Schrlau says

    September 30, 2022 at 9:44 am

    Goodness and mercy are following me today. I remind myself of this often. It has been awhile since I studied Psalm 23, time to do it again.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 3, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      I don’t think any time is a bad time to study Psalm 23!

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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