Day 2—Thursday, February 19

Psalm 23, King James Version

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth 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.

I came across a song/video by Leanne Crawford about the 23^rd Psalm that she dedicated to her great-aunt Maurine, who had advised, “Write scripture on your heart for when you need it.” Ms. Morgan observed, “Anxiety hates Psalm 23.”

Many of my family and friends suffer from various forms of anxiety. These problems are very real, and I am happy when they seek help with therapists or medication. I, on the other hand, memorized this Psalm – in the King James Version – when I was in 4^th grade. It has helped me in lieu of therapists and medication; it’s free and doesn’t need appointments or office hours.

In these modern days of STRONG leaders who mow others down to get ahead, I take solace that my leader is a shepherd. I am vulnerable, all people have vulnerabilities, and our world seems to be at a crossroads of egos and evil, but my shepherd is God Almighty! Just reading the assurances of the verses: “green pastures, still waters” calms me. Knowing that He will “lead me in the paths of righteousness,” even if I sometimes go my own boneheaded way gives me hope. Reading “thy rod and thy staff” lets me know that God is strong, but His staff can grab a wayward sheep (me) and pull me back to safety. A table that’s prepared for me? A cup that runneth over? Someone to anoint my head with oil? These and many other blessings are mine. 

As I have traveled the unexpected and unwanted journey of breast cancer, I have felt the “shadow of the valley of death,” and I ABSOLUTELY felt that God was with me. Sometimes it was a peace and calmness, sometimes it was a card or phone call from a family member, a new friend, or a friend from years ago. I had an unexpected call from a friend from the Philippines who attended our tiny church in Hawaii - this felt like the hand of God. As others reached out to me, I was shown opportunities to reach out to others. Yes, God is walking through that valley with us, but I also believe He sends us as well. That is one way “goodness and mercy” are following me all the days of my life. I hope this Psalm can help calm your anxieties and encourage you to lead others to write it on their own hearts, too.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings. Thank you for walking with us through our anxieties, whether in relationships, work, an uncertain future, or a radiation machine. Help us share the peace you have provided to us with others who need it in their own troubled times. Amen. 

-Cheryl Gilliland