The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 17 July 2018 - Psalm 23
Psalm 23:1 (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures,
he leads me by quiet water,
3 he restores my inner person.
He guides me in right paths
for the sake of his own name.
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster; for you are with me;
your rod and staff reassure me.
5 You prepare a table for me,
even as my enemies watch;
you anoint my head with oil
from an overflowing cup.
6 Goodness and grace will pursue me
every day of my life;
and I will live in the house of Adonai
for years and years to come. (Complete Jewish Bible).
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Today's reflection ponders how God "RESTores" us.
I call Psalm 23 the "AAAAAHHHH" passage. It's the word that comes out of your mouth when you get home from a long, hard day, and you kick off your shoes and lay back in the recliner. Or when your throat is so parched you feel like you swallowed a cup of sand and you drink a glass of cool water. We receive even more than that from our Savior. When life beats us down like the rays of the hot sun, Jesus is there to quench our thirst and refresh our souls. When we get so busy and distracted in our lives, Jesus provides us lush green grass to frolic through in our bare feet. Jesus makes a way for us to find rest and replenishes our spirit. We can't do it on our own. We need the refreshing, life giving Spirit of God to restore us and send us out to serve the world.
Restorer of our souls, continue to lead us in the way you would have us go. Help us to find the time to pause and be refreshed so that we might help others drink in the gifts of your Spirit. Amen.
Meg Sander, '83
Transitional Pastor, Immanuel Zion Lutheran and Zion Lutheran Church, Albion, Nebraska 
Psalm 23:The Divine Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;[Psalm 23:2 Heb waters of rest]
3 he restores my soul.[Psalm 23:3 Or life]
He leads me in right paths[Psalm 23:3 Or paths of righteousness]
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[Psalm 23:4 Or 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 anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[Psalm 23:6 Or Only] goodness and mercy[Psalm 23:6 Or kindness] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.[Psalm 23:6 Heb for length of days] (New Revised Standard Version).
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Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United States

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