Read This When You Need Hope During Your Dark Days

Ps 23:1-4 - The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.   NASU 

• One Of The Most Recognized Of All Psalms 

This will be one of the most difficult Pump Ups for me to write. I have studied this Psalm, memorized this Psalm, read books about this Psalm, read this Psalm at many funerals, and yes I even preached sermons numerous times using this Psalm.
 
So why is it so difficult to write about it? I have to condense all I know about it and think what can I say that will really be a blessing to my reading audience. 

• Shepherd 

The Hebrew word for LORD is "Yahweh" and it means Self Existing One. The One who exists because He wants to is our LORD and because of that we don't have to want for anything. He is our shepherd.
 
What did the good shepherds do?
 
They took care of their flocks. How did they take care of their sheep?
 
He would lead them to where there was plenty of grass. The sheep not only had green pastures to feed on they had the green grass to lie down and sleep on at night.
 
Is Jesus your "Good Shepherd"?
 
If you say yes, then you need to claim the promises that are so eloquently stated in Psalm 23. You will be blessed with food and water. Your soul will be restored. There is not a one of us that has not had life beat upon us unmercifully.
 
When life is beating upon you please remember the good shepherd will "restore" your soul.  The Hebrew word for "restore" is to turn back. He is going to take your soul back to the time when you were happy and joy filled your heart.
 
If you can remember back to when jubilance and laughter filled your life your shepherd can take you back there but you have to trust Him. 

• Another Day Older 

Everyone who is reading this Pump Up is a day older than you were yesterday. Last month, I turned another year older and in fact, I entered into a new decade. I have celebrated more birthdays in the past then I will in the future.  
 
So even though I am now walking in the valley of the shadow of death I am not afraid. I don't fear death. It is not my friend. According to the apostle Paul death is our enemy and it will be defeated. Death will not only be defeated I know who is going to defeat it.
 
Jesus is the One who holds the keys of death and Hades. Rev 1:17-18 - Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
 
Guess what Jesus is going to do with the keys to death?

Yes, He is going to unlock death and let us out of there if we are His sheep. Why would He do that? It isn't rocket science. It is because His sheep have confessed Him to be their LORD and Savior and they have been baptized into Christ. 

• Protection 

This is why I don't worry. I am being protected in this life by the Good Shepherd. He has a rod and a staff and both of these instruments were used by the shepherd to protect his sheep.
 
Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He protects His sheep please allow the words of this Psalm to give you strength today.  Jesus' rod and staff are there to comfort us according to Psalm 23: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
 
Are you comforted today?
 
If you say no then you need to place your faith and trust in the Good Shepherd who will not disappoint you.
 
Think About This:
 
Faith helps us walk fearlessly, run confidently, and live victoriously.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago      
    
Minister of God’s Word