Dear friends in Christ,
This Sunday, the assigned readings include Psalm 23. This is one of the most popular bits of scripture in the whole Bible for a reason.
The LORD is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
It’s all right there. God is with us even when life is hard. We need not fear.
At a time when the world seems more violent and more chaotic every day, we would benefit from remembering that we are never far from God’s loving presence, even when we can’t feel it.
This is not to say that evil isn’t real. Far from it! But our own knowledge of God’s mercy and grace may well give us the courage to contend with evil. After all, love always wins in the end.
I don’t need to say much. It’s all right here in this psalm. I invite you to set aside a few minutes and re-read this beautiful poetry of God’s steadfastness, presence, goodness, and mercy.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
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