Amplified Bible (AMP)

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.

4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Today’s message is simple, walk with Jesus and you will always be in marvelous light, never fearing the darkness.  I was in Sunday morning worship recently and I kept hearing, “walk with Me” over and over again.  Then I felt on the following church service to take the 23rd Psalm and personalize it to fit in with the walk with me theme.  I was so excited after I wrote it out.  It showed clearly how much detail God puts into our daily lives.

If only we could take hold of the peace which comes from following after Jesus.  He promises to lead us beside still waters and walk with us in green pastures.  He also promises to sit us among our enemies at a feast and anoint us with oil.  All these promises should lead us to a life of walking in peace and love.  We should be content while walking with Jesus along the still waters and peaceful meadows.  Why are we not allowing ourselves to dwell in this place of safety?

Who knows the true answer to this? Probably no one, there are probably a million answers to the reason we don’t walk in peace.  We all can take our personal experiences and give an answer as to why we don’t trust in the 23rd Psalm and they would all make perfect sense.  Walking in the green pastures and beside the still waters is a choice.  Yes it’s a promise from God but it is up to us because of our free will we get to choose if we want to accept it.  Below I have translated the 23rd Psalm as I felt I was hearing it.  I pray it may speak to your heart and give you some insight into what God wants you to see in your walk with Him.

I am your Shepard, because of Me you will NOT lack.  Walk with Me and see the green pastures.  Walk with Me and let Me show you the still and restful waters.  Walk with Me and I will refresh and restore you.  Walk with Me in righteousness to honor My Father.  Yes WE will walk through valleys of death but walk with Me and there will be no fear.  I will protect you and give you comfort.  Walk with Me to the table that has been set before you with your enemies.  Walk with Me and I will anoint you with oil until your cup overflows.  Walk with Me and you will only find goodness and mercy and unfailing love forever.  Walk with Me to your dwelling place, My Fathers House.