Time to be alone with God
Psalm 23 It is one of the best-known and most frequently quoted psalms in the Bible. My personal reflection on this psalm offers you and me the opportunity to consider the needs of a Christian. David begins with the simple statement and assurance: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Ps 23,1).
What could be more comforting than knowing that my spiritual destiny and salvation do not depend on who I am or what I do, but solely on who God is? Jesus said of himself, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Joh 10,11).
Jesus is my Shepherd not because I chose him, but because he chose me. Simply put, this means that as one of his sheep, I don't have to rely on my own abilities to be assured of his caring love. Rather, I can find rest in his perfect love, which he, as the exemplary Shepherd, shows me. Secured in Jesus' love, I find peace in him, whether I'm facing the onslaught of daily responsibilities or seeking relaxation at the end of the day.
In everyday life, I tend to push God out of my life and delude myself with the dangerous illusion that I am the master of my own destiny. Especially in times like these, it is especially important for me to seek a personal retreat where, free from distractions, I can ask for God's peace and help and recognize true reality. Amidst life's turmoil and tribulations, I can experience his loving, guiding hand. Only in quiet communion with the Lord of my life can I unmask the illusion of self-sufficiency and allow God's fresh wind to blow away the veil of worry and trouble, so that true trust and true security can once again find room in his bosom.
For his name's sake
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Ps 23,2-3)Too often, I am driven by my own strength to seek out green pastures and still waters. I look for serenity and composure, wanting to find the right path on my own. In all my striving, I forget that it is God who allows me to linger in green pastures and leads me to still waters. I can only find goodness if I allow God to guide me. Only He knows the way and can lead me there, if I follow Him, acknowledge my helplessness, and trust that He will give me what I need most.
Jesus reminds me that I cannot live true life without his help: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11,29-30).
He reminds me that my longing for rest and security, which he nourishes, will only be satisfied through devotion to him. He exhorts me that he will lead me to peace for the sake of his name and glory. When I cast all my cares upon him and let go of my will and my goals for his sake, his light begins to pierce the darkness.
Alone with him, Jesus reminds me that I cannot live the true life without his help. He reminds me that my longing for the rest and security he can provide, which he nourishes, can only be satisfied by surrendering to him. He reminds me that it is he who leads me to peace for his name and glory, not for my own sake. When I cast all my cares on him and surrender my will and my goals for his sake, the light begins to pierce the darkness.
Sad days
“Even 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.” (Ps 23,4)The strength God gives me when my life is running smoothly enables me to weather turbulent and dark times. Instead of lamenting afflictive days, I am able, thanks to God's grace, to see His mercy and goodness in them. This allows me to share in the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ. The strength I draw from good times helps me through the dark times. It is not my strength, but His strength. The dark times drive me to Him, so that I may regain my strength by refreshing myself at His cool spring and finding rest in His green pastures.
In times like these, the importance of religious rituals becomes strikingly clear to me. If I haven't made it a habit to turn to Jesus with insignificant, even trivial, matters, how can I expect to do so when truly important problems arise? If I'm not accustomed to exercising restraint in small matters concerning my personal desires, or even denying myself certain things, how can I hope to resist truly powerful temptations? If I seek to impose my will in almost every aspect of my life, how can I expect to submit to God and His will? Those who consciously embark on God's path find true, profound peace—the same peace that Christ offers us: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." (Jer 6,16).
In these times, God touches me, gives me new courage, and reminds me of the prospect of a bright future in him. He stands by me, reveals himself to me in ways I never expected, and reminds me that he is my rod and staff. He gives me peace and strength to courageously face even the worst, so that I can say: Not my will, but yours be done. Once I have experienced all the good that comes from God, I can find peace in the knowledge, nourished by him, that even the darkest night will one day end and the sun will rise.
Walk in God
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Ps 23,5)During times of solitude with my divine provider, He fills me with riches, peace, and joy that far surpass the fears, doubts, and disappointments of my earthly life. He realigns my priorities, corrects my perspective, and opens my eyes to true life in Christ, as far as my mind can comprehend it. I am reminded of what God does, not of what I am capable of doing. I can do what I should do because Jesus Christ is at work in me, and I rest in Him.
If I tried to accomplish all of this on my own without Jesus, I would be like a tree that grows only hollow fruit. I am held in God; he makes me strong and blesses me. Even my reputation does not depend on me, but on the power of God at work in me. Every recognition of my accomplishments belongs to him. If I fail, it is because I have excluded him and turned away from him and the riches of his grace. I forgot that I need him and that my whole life rests in him. Instead, I tried to act in my own strength, as if that were possible. Above all, I forgot the depth of his love for me personally.
coming home
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Ps 23,6)Being alone with God allows me a connection to him that I could never experience in any other way. It is like coming home, a foretaste of the true reality and the true life that he gives me in Jesus. It is like a taste of the great feast to which he will one day lead me, a fleeting glimpse of future bliss.
Dear reader, your life is nothing without God and everything with him. The grace and goodness that follow you originate from God and follow you because he loves you—not because you have something to offer him. In times of withdrawal, you can lose yourself and entrust yourself to him. The Holy Spirit gives you the faith that you are being made in the image of Christ. Only with God can you undertake this work, ask him for his will, trust in his grace and power, and be assured that you will dwell in his house forever.
by Mike Feazell
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