How Psalms 23 Brings Comfort To a Grieving Heart

We Are Living in Grievous Times

When I think about what this past year has served up, my heart breaks. While I have experienced immense blessings, there have definitely been challenges. One of those challenges is dealing with loss and lamenting what can not be brought back. I know that I’m not alone in this. In fact, if I was to poll each of you who are gracing my page with a visit, chances are you have lost someone or something recently.

In the past year, I have lost two family members and two friends. That doesn’t include the several close family members that I have lost in the previous years. But even though my significant losses came in the form of death, many of us are experiencing loss in additional ways. Loss of jobs, income, health, homes, failed relationships, and even loss of the freedoms we have all taken for granted. We are living in a season that can cause our hearts to grieve.

Why Psalms 23 Consoles My Hurting Heart

God’s Word is the salve to my wounds and a soothing balm that eases the pain. His Truth is where I turn, as I know that the holy scriptures encompass what the world does not…true comfort.

But, if I was to choose one scripture that speaks to me and reassures me of God’s presence during painful times, it would be Psalms 23. It very well may be one of the most popular pieces of scripture and that is with good reason. This chapter delivers rich truths in just a few short verses.

‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord,
Forever.

Psalms 23 NKJV

The Lord Reassures Me

‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

When I’m weary or upset, I tend to feel alone in the world. If I’m not careful, I can allow myself to be convinced that no one cares. That simply isn’t true. It isn’t true for me and it isn’t true for you.

The Lord reassures us that He is present the entire time and He is leading us. As it states in verse one…He is our Shepherd. That means He is guiding us and protecting us. That means that even if our surroundings are chaotic, His Spirit leads to a place of peace and restoration.

The Lord Soothes My Pain

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Death is a reality that each one of us faces. We are confronted with it throughout our lives, only to one day take our own last breath. When death encroaches upon our life in the form of illness or loss we can feel as if we are in a valley of darkness. Any loss can cause us to grieve, not just death. It may feel like the light of day will never touch us because we are so entrenched in our own sadness.

However, the Lord is walking that dark path with us. Even though we fumble through, His uprightness and stability are there to lean on. He holds us up and comforts us in a way that no one else can.

The Lord Encourages Me

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

There have been plenty of times where I have felt like I was all alone and there was no one to turn to. When we are discouraged it can be easy to believe the lie that we are alone, or even that everyone is against us. That simply isn’t true because we have a good God who not only fights for us, but He also protects us.

We can be assured that even when we are surrounded by enemies that our Father is there, preparing a feast for us. He serves us and provides all that we need.

The Lord Makes Me a Promise

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord,
Forever.

Read it again if you need to. Did you catch the promise in the verse above? Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

That means no matter what is thrown at me, that it will be turned around for good. No matter how upset I am, or defeated I feel, His mercies are afresh each morning. This is more than a statement…it’s a promise.

He assures me that I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. That promise puts things into perspective. The grief we experience now will not last forever. It is temporary.

What Does That Mean For You?

Psalm 23 is a passage of scripture that holds promises that were not only meant for me, they were meant for you too.

However, it brings up the question of whether or not you trust that the Lord is your Savior. Do you believe that He is the keeper of promises and your Redeemer?

If you haven’t made that commitment to the Lord then I encourage you to read my post “Do You Know Jesus as Your Lord and Savior“.

I truly believe that nothing happens by accident and that if you have found yourself reading this post, that it is by divine appointment.

My prayer is that the truth spoken in Psalm 23 comforts you as much as it has comforted me and that you are reassured of the Father’s love for you.