Psalm 23 contains 113 words. Take a minute to read all of them and then dwell on just five of them.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23 ESV.
The secret to David's peace was the presence of David's Shepherd: "for you are with me." When I grasp that truth it is a day-changer:
I can face any challenge "for you are with me."
I can endure any heartache "for you are with me."
I can help in any situation "for you are with me."
I can walk through any trial "for you are with me."
I can persevere through any pain "for you are with me."
I can stand any test "for you are with me."
Commenting on our ever-present Shepherd, Charles Spurgeon notes:
This is the joy of the Christian! "Thou art with me." The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mother's bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him. "Thou art with me; I have, in having thee, all that I can crave: I have perfect comfort and absolute security, for thou art with me." Charles H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David
You can start your day on solid ground and keep it there . . . you're just five words away: for you are with me.