Easter 4
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
-- Psalm 23:5
This is probably one of the most famous passages in the whole Bible. For thousands of years, people have drawn strength from these words. Because the words are so familiar, we may overlook the powerful analysis of the human condition that is depicted here. The psalm begins with a recognition of the power that need plays in our psyche. While it manifests itself in many ways -- food, love, security, and such -- our sense of neediness reflects the self-centeredness of our lives. This neediness, and the drive to fulfill it, leads to a continuing experience of stress that gnaws at our very soul. Recognizing this, God provides experiences that interrupt this stress and "restores my soul." Need also causes us to act in ways that distort the right relationships that we could have with each other. Again, it is God who leads us "in right paths for his name sake." Our neediness makes us aware of our vulnerability, which in turn leads us to live life in fear. Only by trusting God can we rise above that fear. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff -- they comfort me."
Enemies, in some form or another, personal or circumstantial, are a normal part of our lives. It is easy to become too focused on their presence and forget the lovelier qualities of our lives. So God provides us with experiences that remind us of the joy of life. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...." It is in those repeated experiences of God's caring presence that we gain confidence: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...." While the power of neediness continues to accompany us in life, it is when we recognize the faithfulness of God that we learn the freedom to say, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
-- Psalm 23:5
This is probably one of the most famous passages in the whole Bible. For thousands of years, people have drawn strength from these words. Because the words are so familiar, we may overlook the powerful analysis of the human condition that is depicted here. The psalm begins with a recognition of the power that need plays in our psyche. While it manifests itself in many ways -- food, love, security, and such -- our sense of neediness reflects the self-centeredness of our lives. This neediness, and the drive to fulfill it, leads to a continuing experience of stress that gnaws at our very soul. Recognizing this, God provides experiences that interrupt this stress and "restores my soul." Need also causes us to act in ways that distort the right relationships that we could have with each other. Again, it is God who leads us "in right paths for his name sake." Our neediness makes us aware of our vulnerability, which in turn leads us to live life in fear. Only by trusting God can we rise above that fear. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff -- they comfort me."
Enemies, in some form or another, personal or circumstantial, are a normal part of our lives. It is easy to become too focused on their presence and forget the lovelier qualities of our lives. So God provides us with experiences that remind us of the joy of life. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...." It is in those repeated experiences of God's caring presence that we gain confidence: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...." While the power of neediness continues to accompany us in life, it is when we recognize the faithfulness of God that we learn the freedom to say, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
