The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thanksgiving–to thank the LORD, God the Almighty for his boundless generosity towards His people. This short, less than 120 words, Psalm is recognized and loved worldwide as an expression of thanksgiving to our creator, our LORD, and our Savior. It covers all aspects of our being and relationship with Him and makes an excellent guide to a prayer of thanksgiving. I like to read and reread a passage until something jumps out at me and then I begin to use that as a basis for meditation and prayer.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.
Lord, it often appears that the stench of death surrounds me; sometimes not actual death, but the stench of sin that leads to death. Working in the prisons, amid a culture that is imbued with sin, where even the organization is sin-stained, it is easy to become depressed and discouraged. But I know that You are with me; I have nothing to fear. I need to be focused on You and on Your Word, seeking Your guidance constantly.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 21
Mid-day: 119:57-64
Evening: Psalm 96
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Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/item/5828-2015-voices-together-weekly-devotionals. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.
