Devotion #54
Hi, Everyone.
Yesterday, I posted a bit late. Today, I’m posting early, because we have to leave to drive to Oklahoma for my appointments at the Bariatric Hospital. I’m hoping to get a surgery date today!
Today’s devotion is from my personal journal dated June 1, 2007. I loved reminiscing about the day that I realized how a chapter in the Bible was really for me, and, trust me, it’s for you, too.
The Lord kept bringing the 23rd Psalm to my mind today. This afternoon, I had time to meditate on it, and I realized some things that I never realized before.
I read the 23rd Psalm in the Amplified version, and as I went back to slowly read each verse, the Lord gave me the idea to replace each personal pronoun with my name. (Reader, put your name in place of mine, if you are willing.)
“The LORD is Mary’s Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield Mary], Mary shall not lack. He makes Mary to lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads Mary beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores Mary’s life [Mary’s self]; He leads Mary in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for Mary’s earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though Mary walks through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, Mary will fear or dread no evil, for You are with Mary; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort Mary. You prepare a table before Mary in the presence of Mary’s enemies. You anoint Mary’s head with oil; Mary’s [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow Mary all the days of Mary’s life, and through the length of Mary’s days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be Mary’s dwelling place.”
I know it reads a bit strange, with my name repeated over and over, and, at first, I felt embarrassed by it. Reading it again, personalized, I was able to soak in the knowledge that the Lord really is MY Shepherd.
I found myself thinking back to my past. Oh, how I was “in want.” Even with eating, no amount of food was enough. I didn’t get that it was emotional and spiritual hunger.
While it makes me sad to look back, I remind myself that the Lord is leading me to pastures of freedom, and I pray that I will be obedient and follow Him.
I rejoice that my soul is being restored from being “in want” to being content. One of the ways that shows itself is how I realize there is no more need to overeat. I love how God does everything in my life (and the lives of all believers) “for His Name’s sake.” He is wonderfully bold to say, “My character is at stake.” He will never go against His character, Who He Is.
God leads in paths of righteousness, so that His Name will be honored. God works in hearts, for His own glory. When we evidence contentment in Him, we honor Him. When we rest in and are refreshed by Him, we honor Him. When we eat in a disciplined manner, we honor Him.
In this God Gain Lifestyle journey, I can foresee that I may hit a “valley.” Perhaps I succumb to temptation, return to my old way of eating for a time, or distance myself from the Lord. That would be a dark valley for me.
David knew that valleys are temporary, and I must remind myself of that. God is with me, and He will take me THROUGH the valley. I may have to be a valley walker at times, but I will not be a valley dweller. Lord, help me never to pitch a tent there!
I noticed that, for most of the 23rd Psalm, David uses “He” in reference to God, but when he writes of the valley, David uses the pronoun “You.” God can become very personal in the valley, if we let Him.
God prepares a table before me, in the presence of my enemies. That is right here on planet Earth, because there are no enemies in heaven. The Lord invites me to feast on Him, to maintain my spiritual energy and to help me produce fruit for Him.
God anoints my head with oil. I like the footnote, in the Amplified Bible: “It was customary in hot climates to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration. When mixed with perfume, the oil imparted a delightfully refreshing and invigorating sensation. Athletes anointed their bodies before running a race. As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated, and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His “sheep” with the Holy Spirit, whom oil symbolizes, to fit them to engage more freely in His service and run in the way He directs--in heavenly fellowship with Him.”
When I allow the Holy Spirit to flow over, in, and through me, I cannot adequately explain what that does to me, how it affects me. I can be having the hardest time, and I will pray in the Spirit and feel the burden lift. It never ceases to amaze me. My cup runneth over.
Yesterday, I posted a bit late. Today, I’m posting early, because we have to leave to drive to Oklahoma for my appointments at the Bariatric Hospital. I’m hoping to get a surgery date today!
Today’s devotion is from my personal journal dated June 1, 2007. I loved reminiscing about the day that I realized how a chapter in the Bible was really for me, and, trust me, it’s for you, too.
The Lord kept bringing the 23rd Psalm to my mind today. This afternoon, I had time to meditate on it, and I realized some things that I never realized before.
I read the 23rd Psalm in the Amplified version, and as I went back to slowly read each verse, the Lord gave me the idea to replace each personal pronoun with my name. (Reader, put your name in place of mine, if you are willing.)
“The LORD is Mary’s Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield Mary], Mary shall not lack. He makes Mary to lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads Mary beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores Mary’s life [Mary’s self]; He leads Mary in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for Mary’s earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though Mary walks through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, Mary will fear or dread no evil, for You are with Mary; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort Mary. You prepare a table before Mary in the presence of Mary’s enemies. You anoint Mary’s head with oil; Mary’s [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow Mary all the days of Mary’s life, and through the length of Mary’s days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be Mary’s dwelling place.”
I know it reads a bit strange, with my name repeated over and over, and, at first, I felt embarrassed by it. Reading it again, personalized, I was able to soak in the knowledge that the Lord really is MY Shepherd.
I found myself thinking back to my past. Oh, how I was “in want.” Even with eating, no amount of food was enough. I didn’t get that it was emotional and spiritual hunger.
While it makes me sad to look back, I remind myself that the Lord is leading me to pastures of freedom, and I pray that I will be obedient and follow Him.
I rejoice that my soul is being restored from being “in want” to being content. One of the ways that shows itself is how I realize there is no more need to overeat. I love how God does everything in my life (and the lives of all believers) “for His Name’s sake.” He is wonderfully bold to say, “My character is at stake.” He will never go against His character, Who He Is.
God leads in paths of righteousness, so that His Name will be honored. God works in hearts, for His own glory. When we evidence contentment in Him, we honor Him. When we rest in and are refreshed by Him, we honor Him. When we eat in a disciplined manner, we honor Him.
In this God Gain Lifestyle journey, I can foresee that I may hit a “valley.” Perhaps I succumb to temptation, return to my old way of eating for a time, or distance myself from the Lord. That would be a dark valley for me.
David knew that valleys are temporary, and I must remind myself of that. God is with me, and He will take me THROUGH the valley. I may have to be a valley walker at times, but I will not be a valley dweller. Lord, help me never to pitch a tent there!
I noticed that, for most of the 23rd Psalm, David uses “He” in reference to God, but when he writes of the valley, David uses the pronoun “You.” God can become very personal in the valley, if we let Him.
God prepares a table before me, in the presence of my enemies. That is right here on planet Earth, because there are no enemies in heaven. The Lord invites me to feast on Him, to maintain my spiritual energy and to help me produce fruit for Him.
God anoints my head with oil. I like the footnote, in the Amplified Bible: “It was customary in hot climates to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration. When mixed with perfume, the oil imparted a delightfully refreshing and invigorating sensation. Athletes anointed their bodies before running a race. As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated, and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His “sheep” with the Holy Spirit, whom oil symbolizes, to fit them to engage more freely in His service and run in the way He directs--in heavenly fellowship with Him.”
When I allow the Holy Spirit to flow over, in, and through me, I cannot adequately explain what that does to me, how it affects me. I can be having the hardest time, and I will pray in the Spirit and feel the burden lift. It never ceases to amaze me. My cup runneth over.
Today, my prayer for you is that you can truly say, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need."
Listen to Michael Card, singing “My Shepherd.” http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f0f6892083c6ff47a666
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
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