Today’s reflection comes from Brayden Salmon. Brayden is our LIT director and is working hard to get our LIT program ready for the summer.
Today’s Reading: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
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 your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
-Psalm 23:1-6
Something that has been on my mind…
since the outbreak of COVID-19 is the fact that God is our great comforter. In times of trouble, he does not forsake us he does not lead us astray. If we listen to his wisdom and act in obedience, we can receive his peace.
I have realized in the past few weeks I have not been led by still waters. I have been running away from my Shepherd to the troubled waters and focusing only on them. It is so easy in a culture of social media to get caught in the panic and stress of COVID. What I must keep reminding myself Is that God is bigger than any pandemic. I need to keep my eyes focused on my shepherd. I need to turn to his word, worship him and realize that he is sovereign over all.
The psalmist writes, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (verse 4)
It is hard at times like these to say we do not fear, but as we read further, we see that the shepherd’s rod and staff comfort the sheep
Drawing near to God is a discipline we need daily. when we are near to him, we can trust in his plan for our life…we can lead in his strength.
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint”(Isaiah 40:31)
The good shepherd takes care of his sheep and passes his peace onto them. A question I want you to be thinking of is How can I share my peace in Christ to those around me?
We need to look at our own flocks and see who needs that peace who in this time of isolation needs a friend to call them and comfort them. Maybe it is reaching out to that person on the fringe of your youth group and checking on them, maybe it is praying for that one friend who just doesn’t see hope in their situation. I am not saying we need to convert people at this time, but we need to mimic the actions of our Shepherd towards others.
Finally, Christ is preparing a table for us.
It is with this glimpse of our eternal life, that we can have hope for tomorrow. Whatever happens, whatever comes our way we know that it is well with our soul.
Blessings,
Brayden
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