The 23rd Psalm - Assurance (Poem)

The 23rd Psalm - Assurance

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD...
That's Relationship!

I SHALL NOT WANT...
That's Supply!

HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES...
That's Rest!

HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS...
That's Refreshment!

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL...
That's Healing!

HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS...
That's Guidance!

FOR HIS NAME SAKE...
That's Purpose!

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH...
That's Challenge!

I WILL FEAR NO EVIL...
That's Assurance!

FOR THOU ART WITH ME...
That's Faithfulness!

THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME...
That's Shelter!

THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES...
That's Hope!

THOU ANOINEST MY HEAD WITH OIL...
That's Consecration!

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER...
That's Abundance!

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE...
That's Blessing!

AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD...
That's Security!

FOREVER...
That's Eternity!

~Author Unknown~

A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, "What shall I not want?"

I shall not want--
Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
Drink -- for He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Forgiveness -- for He restoreth my soul.
Guidance -- for He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
Companionship -- for Thou art with me.
Comfort -- for Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.
Food -- for Thou preparest a table before me.
Victory -- in the presence of mine enemies.
Joy -- Thou anointest my head with oil.
Overrunning joy -- for my cup runneth over.
Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me.
Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Quoted from The Annotated Bible by Arno Clement Gaebelein