AM: May 13, 2019
Do you remember that David was a shepherd? He took care of herds of sheep, keeping them safe. One thing that really bothered sheep?–Flies. Have you ever had a really annoying bug that kept hovering around you, and kept coming back, kept coming back, even though you kept swatting it away? Imagine that, but in a big herd of smelly, stinky sheep and not having hands to keep them off your face. Talk about annoying. Do you know what shepherds like David used to help the sheep? Oil. When they put oil on the sheep’s head, it was instant relief and would calm the sheep down immediately. So when you read Psalm 23, it’s God annointing our head with oil, saying that we can be at peace, no matter what is going on around us.
This may be a slightly different wording than you’re used to, but the added words help it take a new meaning, since you probably have memorized this for Sunday school at some point.
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
Psalm 23:5-6 (VOICE)
filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
6 Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
in Your house forever.
Dear Lord, Thank you for anointing me with your grace. Help me to stay calm in the middle of busyness and struggle. Thank you for being my Shepherd who stays next to me, and for caring for me. Amen.