Psalm 23

Scripture Reading: 

        He makes me lie down in green pastures.
    He leads me beside still waters.
        He restores my soul.
    He leads me in paths of righteousness
        for his name’s sake. (Ps. 23:2–3)

A Prayer for God’s Leading:

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads his dear children along;
where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads his dear children along.
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads his dear children along;
sometimes in the valley in the darkest of night,
God leads his dear children along.

Tho’ sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads his dear children along;
through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads his dear children along.
Away from the mire and away from the clay,
God leads his dear children along;
away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads his dear children along.

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
some through the fire, but all through the blood;
some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
in the night season, and all the day long.

G. A. Young (ca. 1855–1935)

Hymn:

The King of love my Shepherd is, 
Whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Words by Henry W. Baker, 1868

Meditation: 

Grace is the wealth of God’s kindness; the riches of his mercy; the soothing ointment of his forgiveness; the free and undeserved, but lavishly offered hope of eternal life. Grace is what we crave when we are guilt-laden. Grace is what we must have when we come to die. Grace is our only ray of hope when the future darkens over with storm clouds of fear. 

John Piper (b. 1946)