You alone

On repeat through my mind this week has been the chorus to a sweet song rephrasing Psalm 23. Ever read any books from an actual shepherd’s perspective on Psalm 23? It makes so clear why this may be the most beloved Psalm of them all. The care it takes to keep sheep safe, fed, watered, rested, healthy – it’s a lot of work.

We’re a lot of work. Our Shepherd is constantly on duty. Keeping us safe when evil surrounds us. Keeping us nourished even when there isn’t much in the cupboard. Keeping us watered, soul watered, so we don’t dry up and give up. Keeping us rested – even though there may be many sleepless nights. And keeping us healthy in the midst of whatever health battle we may face. Sound like it isn’t so? Like those are opposites?

This life will have many things we wouldn’t choose, even when we are Christ followers. The difference for God’s children: what is versus what could have been…

Were He not protecting us, evil would prevail in us – through our own doing as well as evil influence. Sometimes nourishment isn’t food, sometimes it’s His strength even in the famine. Desert places abound when we live day to day, yet in His goodness He will lead us by the still water of His Word to quench our soul thirst.

Rest…that’s a big one for me. I haven’t slept well in some time. I tend to get frustrated about that, let alone worrying that it might affect my health. Yet each day I have energy for the tasks at hand and trust He knows what I need in the wee hours. Healthy – hard one right? Especially when we or a loved one has something that isn’t going to get better. Again, the hand of the Father provides breath for each day and uses pain, or sickness, or physical decline in ways we don’t see.

Back to the chorus of the song, because they are key to believing all of the above:

And I will trust in You alone,
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.

In the face of fear, the silence of 2am, the worry of circumstances it truly does come down to that five letter word: trust. Not in self, a spouse, a job, a bank account, government. Only in God. His mercy is endless – both for our weakness of sin and for all the things we face. And daily He leads on a path that sometimes has forks, sometimes has fallen trees, sometimes is hot and arid or cold and muddy – but He doesn’t leave us. A constant companion for the journey leading us home. Home in eternity is all the things we can dream it could be and so much more.