The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, 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 runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

~ Psalm 23 NKJV

Just like any other scripture, these words are lifeless until God’s Spirit breathes on them and opens your understanding. Then they bring hope to your life. Suddenly, they are the lifeline you’re clinging to with all your might!

Over your crying, struggling child, you’re praying, “He makes my child lie down in green pastures. He leads my child beside still waters.” Over a loved one battling anxiety or depression, you’re praying, “He restores their soul.” And when you’re exhausted and can’t push on much more, the Lord reminds you, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

The oil covers your whole life. It invigorates you, giving you strength that comes from God alone. And suddenly, you are prepared for all that’s ahead! Perhaps it’s storming the gates of hell with a water pistol. It could be refusing to back down from the battle for your loved one. Or maybe it’s wearing out your jeans and the carpet in your prayer closet, because on your knees is where they’ll find you, again, and again, and again, until the Lord’s promises are fulfilled!

Running hard after the Lord is the legacy you want to leave for your children. You don’t care about fame, aside from being known as a child of the King. And the only thing you truly desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.

If any of this resonates with you, then pray this over yourself, your children, spouse, or others for whom you pray. Then, watch the transition in your or their life, as the spoken words of the Lord come to pass.

I pray this blessing for you: that you shall not be in want, because you know the Lord is your Shepherd, that your soul is restored, and that your cup overflows, because goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life. Amen.