Today’s devotion is based on the Message: Trust Revealed (Watch Here)
Next to John 3:16, probably the most well-known section of the BIble is Psalm 23. This psalm, written by King David 1500 years before Jesus walked the earth, in an inspired masterpiece that the Spirit of God has chosen to both write and preserve for us to enjoy 3500 years or so later. For that time it has been encouraging the hearts of God’s people in times of joy and and in times of challenge and often gives peace when life is fading away.
So what is it about these words that so touches the soul?
What is it about these six verses that make us feel so connected to our God?
Even for people who have drifted from their Christian faith, these words are welcomed.
Your answers may be different and I would love to hear your thoughts each day this week as we reflect on these words and what they reveal to us about why we can trust the LORD with every part and in every situation of life.
A psalm of David.
This seeming parenthetical phrase is not one written by a scribe years after the authorship of the psalm, but part of the inspired text of the psalm. God’s Spirit wants us to know that this psalm (or song) was penned by David.
Many of us know David as the famous “King David” of the Old Testament. He was a mighty warrior and God used him to expand the kingdom of Israel as well as secure the plans and material for the building of a permanent place of worship, the temple. However, in his younger years he was a shepherd. It was a task that even his brothers didn’t think was a pedigree of a king, but the LORD knew something about David:
1 Samuel 16:10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
A short time later, he was described this way:
1 Samuel 16:18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”
The reputation carried forward for 1500 years as the Apostle Paul reflected:
Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
“A psalm of David” in not just a random phrase to pass over, but it sets the tone for what the Spirit of God inspired him to write. Here are the words of a shepherd who tended his flock, a man who went through the dangers and turmoil of being a warrior, knew the challenges of leadership as a king, but most importantly shared a close, genuine, trusting, heartfelt relationship with the LORD.
From the heart of a man after the Lord’s heart come the words of Psalm 23 that touch our heart.
Apply: Read Psalm 23 in your favorite Bible. Read it slowly three times. What becomes more evident and meaningful as you consider what you know of David and realize you are reading not only a “psalm of David” but inspired words from God’s Spirit?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for using the life and experiences of the shepherd/king David to communicate clearly and intimately to our hearts the love and relationship you have with us. AMEN.