Day 3
Memory Verse – Philippians 4:6 -7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Read Psalm 4
Again, we find a hero in our faith, King David, in distress. He is looking around at his culture, his people, and he sees their idolatry. He is discouraged, and he is crying out to the Lord. Nevertheless, he ends his pleas to the Lord with verse 8,
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Beautiful! He trusts the Lord so much that he is able to sleep in peace! King David also wrote Psalm 23, a comforting Psalm of praise to the Lord. Let’s examine this Psalm together, and as we do, make it our prayer.
Psalm 23
1.The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Lord, help me to have peace because You lead me, guide me, and take care of me, and I truly shall not want for anything. At this time when our economy is struggling, businesses are suffering, and my own bank account is suffering, please remind me that You are my provider, and You will meet all my needs according to Your riches in glory.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
As 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “I am so weak that I even need God’s help to enable me to lie down, but ‘He maketh me to lie down.’ Yes, the rest of the soul is so hard to attain that nobody ever does reach it except by the power of God. He who made the heavens must make us to lie down if we are really to rest.”
I need you to help me to rest in Shalom, Father. You take me to a place of such peace and safety and comfort. Lead me to the green pastures and still waters of Your Word and Your Presence, and then make me lie down there. And when I rise up in fear and anxiety, cause me to lie down again…and again…and again. You are so patient with this stubborn sheep!
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Lord, the world is looking at Your church today. They will wonder how we are restored and confident and at peace in this turmoil. For Your name’s sake, lead us in Your ways. May Your kingdom be done on this earth as it is in heaven. May Your church grow and Your name be proclaimed throughout the earth!
4 Even 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.
From “Life of Dr. Duff” https://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/duff/the_shepherd%27s_rod_and_staff.htm.
”In 1849 Dr. Duff was travelling near Simla under the shadow of the great Himalaya mountains. One day his way led to a narrow bridle path cut out on the face of a steep ridge; along this narrow path that ran so near the great precipice he saw a shepherd leading on his flock following him, but now and then the shepherd stopped and looked back. If he saw a sheep creeping up too far on the one hand, or going too near the edge of the dangerous precipice on the other, he would at once turn back and go to it, gently pulling it back. He had a long rod as tall as himself, round the lower half of which was twisted a band of iron. There was a crook at one end of the rod, and it was with this the shepherd took hold of one of the hind legs of the sheep to pull it back. The thick band of iron at the other end of the rod was really a staff, and was ready for use whenever he saw a hyena or wolf or some other troublesome animal coming near the sheep, for especially at night these creatures prowled about the flock. With the iron part of the rod he would give a good blow when an attack was threatened. In Psalm 23:4, we have mention made of “Thy rod and Thy staff.” There is meaning in both, and distinct meaning. God’s rod draws us back, kindly and lovingly, if we go aside from His path. God’s staff protects us against the onset, open or secret, whether it be men or devils which are the enemies watching an opportunity for attack.”
Lord, You never promised that we would not go through the valley, in fact you assured us that we would. But thank you for protecting and guiding me through this difficult time. No sickness, no financial difficulty, no anxiety can separate me from the love of God!
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Again from Charles Spurgeon, “When a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all he snatches a hasty meal, and away he hastens to the fight. But observe: “Thou preparest a table,” just as a servant does when she unfolds the damask cloth and displays the ornaments of the feast on an ordinary peaceful occasion. Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door, and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. Oh! the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances!”
Father, You have given me peace, even as I sit in the presence of my enemy, the devil! Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Our enemy, the thief who would attempt to steal our shalom, health, joy, and well-being is being thwarted by the rod of Your presence in my life today.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
I praise you that I dwell with You today and forever! I accept the abundant life that Jesus brings, and receive His incomprehensible peace. Though all around me houses are crumbling, the Shepherd of my heart will bring me to rest, restoration, and comfort in His house.
Did you pray the prayer? What was the result in your spirit as you did?
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