THE ‘IS’-NESS OF GOD….

Psalm 23 – “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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.  6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD  forever.” NASU

 

I love this Psalm for many reasons and one is that it describes and depicts what I like to call the “is-ness” of God.  Consider to David begins the Psalm – The LORD IS….  He is, not maybe will be, could be, and might be HE IS! Then David launches into a powerful discourse about WHAT and WHO GOD is to him personally and to you and me individually.

Because He “IS” my shepherd “want or a sense of neediness is banished.”  Because He “IS” my shepherd I am led to the quiet refreshing waters to restore my soul, directed to the lush green pastures for the sustenance of life that I so desperately need.  Because He “IS” my shepherd I am led into and kept on the path of righteousness.  No matter what I face the “is-ness” of God protects, defends, provides, and guide me.  Because He “IS” my shepherd “fear” is dismissed because of His presence.  His power sustains and comforts me.  A banquet is prepared for me while surrounded by a host of adversaries and my head is anointed with the Holy Oil of the Spirit of God and my cup overflows so that others are blessed in my being blessed.  Because He “IS” my shepherd the goodness and mercy of God follow me; like a newborn lamb follows its mother and I have permanent residence in God’s presence.

So when I read this Psalm I read of God’s “IS”-NESS and my heart leaps for joy because I know that HE “IS” and “IS” a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and never leaves nor forsakes His children.  HE “IS” and because HE “IS” I have hope!

May God be with you as you go through your day!