#17 Psalm 23:4-6 Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley

On May 2, 2021 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode#17 Psalm 23:4-6

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
Christgazing, similar to stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. This podcast is for those of us who long to do just that, to gaze upon the Lord and see his beauty in the midst of everything that is wrong around us. This podcast is also for you if you don’t really know who Jesus is. We make room for you to put aside what the world or religion has taught you so you might know for yourself. Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider who God is and what he wants us to know. Last week, we gazed on Psalm 23:1-3, which says, The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Today, we will gaze on the rest of the Psalm in verses 4 – 6. Before we do take 45 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be thanksgiving, hurt, joy, sorrow, peace, fear, a long to-do list or nothing to do – Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 45 seconds.

[Pause and pour out]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, “What does this passage say about God?” What does he want? What has he done? What is doing? What does he value?

Psalm 23:4-6 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Again? Psalm 23:4-6 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God?”

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?” What do we as people need and want?

Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?”

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good father. God wants you to know him better. He never condemns or belittles but rather, he is the lifter of our heads.

Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, may you sit at the table the Lord prepares for you in the presence of your enemies and may you know his goodness and love following you today and every day.

One Response

Amy:
Last week we marveled at the mix of God’s awesome, most-high power and gentle, tender love toward us. He himself chooses to shepherd us.

This week, we marvel at the mix of God’s provision of comfort, feasting, anointing, goodness, and love right in the presence of our enemies.

I don’t often think of comfort, goodness, and feasting when my enemies are nearby and I’m under attack but David the great warrior king and poet spoke of this very thing in Psalm 27:3-5 when he said, and I’m paraphrasing,

Even though my enemies attack me, I will seek only one thing: to remain and live in the house of the Lord to feast upon his beauty and inquire of him. There, he will protect me, hide me, and elevate me high above my enemies.

When the enemy attacks, let us be like David.
Let us not scramble to put up walls around ourselves.
Let us not weary ourselves by fighting back.
Let us not weary ourselves by running away.
Let us keep our gaze on God, our good, good shepherd.

In John 10:10-11, Jesus said,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. We leave you with the truth we don’t want to forget, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.