The Lord woke me up before 5 AM this morning and this is what I wrote:

Praise the Lord! For He is good and His love endures forever. His mercies never fail, and the Shepherd of my soul always leads me.

PSALM 23

The Lord is my Shepherd

He is in charge of where I feed, what my day looks like. He determines how I will spend my day, whether I will come in and go out–pen, pasture, or in His arms.

I shall not want.

He is my provider, so I never have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter. Though the devourer lurks at my door, God remains Jehovah Jireh! I SHALL NOT want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

When it is time to rest, it is time to REST. Green pastures have lots of food, and no place for an ambush. It is a place… anxiety free!!!

He leads me beside the still waters.

Water for refreshing–still because sheep startle easily. This is Living Water (“…the Lord, the fountain of living water.” Jer. 17:13) and I shall never thirst again. There is no fear when He is both Shepherd and Source.

He restores my soul.

When I am weary, weak, tired, and feel I cannot go on, He heals me. All the places of pain are carefully tended and nurtured with His gentle hands until I feel at peace and ready to face a new day.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

He draws me towards right living because He is righteous. How I walk affects how people perceive God in my life. Keep my feet in holy, faithful pursuit of YOU, Lord. Convict me of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-13).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

–>From third person to second person.
No matter how dark the path, how deep the shadows, how dim the Light, You are WITH me every step of the way. Death and destruction have no power over me. I choose not to fear any evil directed against me. You are faithful when I am not.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Your correction and guidance are a reassurance that I am Your child (Heb. 12:7-12). Discipline provides protection and boundaries within which I can find true freedom.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You take joy in giving me sustenance in abundance when the enemy thinks that closeness will defeat me. You provide all that I need just when it seems the devourer is closing in on every side. You are the BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:35). “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Deut. 8:3)

You anoint my head with oil.

Holy Spirit, oil of healing and richness, continually fill me that I may be ever vigilant and ready for the Bridegroom’s return (Matt. 25:1-13). Light my lamp and keep the flame–fire of revival–steadily burning for You and for Your glory.

My cup runs over.

Always. Ever. You are faithful in giving me more than I need of You in my life so I can bless those around me who are hungry and thirsty. It’s not about me. It’s about displaying Your presence and glory to everyone I meet that needs You.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

God is not only merciful, He is GOOD. Every morning I know His goodness because I can wake up. I know His mercy because I can still breathe. For the rest of my life, every day is a gift! He is good in every blade of grass and every ray of sunlight. He is merciful in continuing to be my constant companion despite my failings.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

He is my foundation, my shelter, my robe of righteousness, my bread of life, my living water. He is above me, below me, beside me, and the sustaining force within me… for all eternity. He IS my secret place and I DWELL under His wings (Ps. 91:1)