FINDING COMFORT AND HOPE IN PSALMS
After a year of mystery and confusion in my chronic illness treatments, I felt my weary soul being drawn back to read the book of Psalms. The honesty and raw emotion there brought comfort and camaraderie to my aching spirit. Ah, yes, here was the identity and true hope I had longed for!
When I paused at Psalm 23, I wondered if I would see the repetition of such familiar words as just another chain upon my dreary days. I had heard it all before, again and again. Yet, I felt a strange urging to see it differently.
What if I saw this Psalm written not only for sheep following a shepherd, but also for another unique group of people longing for guidance and care?
What if I sat with each verse as if it were written for those of us walking a lonely path?
What if I paraphrased Psalm 23 for people living with chronic illness?
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV)
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.
THE LORD IS MY CAREGIVER (Psalm 23:1-6, paraphrased)
The Lord is my caregiver, so I lack nothing for my care. …
I would love to have you join me over at Chronic Joy, to read the rest of this post and hear the paraphrase that the Lord put on my heart. Click here to join me there today.
As so often happens, the Lord reminded me of these words at just the time that I have needed to hear them again. My husband has been waiting for almost 6 weeks now to get through the red tape required for his specialty heart medication–the only one that is prescribed for his type of cardiac amyloidosis. And I’ve been waiting , still, for a call back from my surgeon with his recommendation about this large thyroid nodule that has expanded down into my chest cavity.
It’s been tempting to give into hopelessness or cynicism about these medical systems. And yet–WHO is my chief caregiver? Isn’t it the Lord Jesus Christ? Isn’t He our true Good Shepherd, far above these things of the world?
Can we depend on Him for our care?
Can we be sure that His goodness and mercy will follow after us?
Oh Yes and yes, my dear friends! We have found Him to be so faithful, and He will be faithful still.
This song has been such a blessing to me over these past months. I pray for that same blessing over you my friends. Wherever your journey is taking you, our Good Shepherd knows the way ahead.
“Still Waters” by Leanna Crawford
I am linking with: #RememberMeMonday
BettieGsRAseasons 
How precious is His Word to us. Thank you for this beautiful personalized Psalm. It breathes peace into me today.
Recently, a fellow Substack writer encouraged me to sit with Proverbs 31 and consider how I could praise God for my husband and all the sweet gifts He gives me through him. It brought me such joy and thankfulness.
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Dear Anna, what a lovely blessing to pray over your husband as you rejoice in the Lord through him there. I love that. I’m so grateful that God’s Word is so alive, living and active for us and in us! Thank you for blessing me with your uplifting thoughts and words too! ❤️🤗🙏
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Thank you, Bettie, for pointing us to Psalm 23. I love that Psalm! I have a picture on the wall beside our bed of Jesus as the Shepherd beside a stream carrying a little lamb. It so often comforts my heart to remember how He gently carries us when we are weak and weary. And I love your paraphrasing of it, too! Love and blessings of hope for today and strength for tomorrow!
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Dear Trudy, what a precious picture to have right next to your bed for those night hours! I love the way His Word for us, and the beautiful pictures It paints, “so often comforts my heart to remember how He gently carries us when we are weak and weary. ” Thank you for your prayers and blessings, dear friend! ❤️🤗🙏 Blessings to you too.!
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Bettie, this post is a powerful reminder of our human frailty that finds its strength in the Lord! This relationship is God’s best for us, this leaning into Him during the pain, the sorrow, the waiting! Oh how hard it is to understand His ways. BUT He is our Shepherd leading us into places we would never choose ourselves so He can show us the still pools of water, beauty we would have missed. The Lord will provide for you and Barry! HE IS OUR GREAT SHEPHERD! You both are in my prayers!! I loved the video!! Blessings to you dear friend!
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Dear Marilyn, thank you for your encouragement this morning! They were such sweet confirmations of what the Lord was speaking–just what I so needed to hear. He is our great strength! And I’m so thankful that He does lead us by the Still Waters. Yes, wasn’t the video so beautiful? I pray blessings over you and your hubby today dear friend! ❤️🙏
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Oh yes, the Lord is our caregiver. My scripture reading today was a reminder of how our troubles today are temporary, and but God’s glorious eternal kingdom is forever. Hope is everything, during our time here until we are in His glorious presence!
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Dear Lynn, Isn’t it so good when God confirms His Word to us! Thank you for sharing that with me. It’s so encouraging. I love this so much:
“God’s glorious eternal kingdom is forever. Hope is everything, during our time here until we are in His glorious presence!”
And what a day that will be!! May we all keep our hope fixed on Him! Blessings to you dear friend!
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Thanks so much for stopping by!! I was just over at another blog and read the same verse….Ironic, huh? I hope you are having a good week!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
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