Read
(A psalm by David.)
The Good Shepherd
1You, Lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields
of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
3and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.
4I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
but I won't be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd's rod
makes me feel safe.
5You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
6Your kindness and love
will always be with me
each day of my life,
and I will live forever
in your house, Lord.
Reflect
Everyone’s after therapy; here’s a therapeutic psalm with something for most.
Do you feel disheartened? The sickness most of us battle against is not physical but psychological. The world’s become too big and complicated; it moves too fast; we can’t keep up.
So we live with tension, we’re driven by pressures, we’ve lost our bearings. Verses 1-3 are God’s remedy. Here’s a bigger entity even than the universe: the Lord himself. Here’s something real to lock on to, to stay on track.
Do you feel dismayed? The “valley of the shadow of death” is every situation that involves you in insecurity, danger and fear. You may be in it today. Then read verse 4. The “Presence” will take you a step at a time and you can stay cool.
Do you feel discarded? A cipher? Unwanted? Like the “end of the line” that gets sold off cheap? Look at verses 5 and 6. You’re in for a royal feast! Christ is the host; you’re number one guest! In his eyes, you’re special. Right now – and forever.
To tackle circumstances is to tackle symptoms. Tackle yourself and you get to the root of the matter.
Respond
Father God, I pray for a controlled personality, held together by the Lord Jesus Christ himself. In his name I pray, Amen.
Tony Capon
Born in England, Tony served in the British Army in Germany 1945-48, then graduated from Cambridge University and Oak Hill Theological College London. He served as an Anglican priest in London and in 1956, Tony and his wife emigrated to Canada. There he served as Associate and President of Scripture Union. Later, as SU Co-ordinator for the Americas, he travelled widely in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean promoting the work of SU. From 1975 to 1978 he served as Director of Development at Wycliffe College, Toronto, and from 1978 to 1991 as Principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College. He has just celebrated his 90th birthday!