Using Psalm 23 as Spiritual Affirmation - The Christian Edition

While searching the internet for some interesting scripture I came across an article on Ezine Articles called “Using Psalm 23 as Spiritual Affirmation”. I had been using psalms on spiritual affirmation for many years the 91st psalm was my favorite so as you may imagine this caught my attention.

After reading what the author said about using the 23rd Psalm I was somewhat confused. Not that he had given and bad instruction but that he had interpreted this affirmation differently from the way I would have.

Rabbi Michael Ozair, the author of the article, I am sure is a very knowledgeable and enlighten individual but I don’t think he did or even could cover how this very powerful psalm can be used as affirmation for Christians. Since I have been faced with the power of this psalm for the last month I believe that God has required me to address this issue.

Let us try to give a little exegesis of the 23rd psalm.

1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want We can be sure that if we call upon the lord he shall protect us (Psalm 50:15)Call upo
Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me."

Affirm: I will call upon the lord and he will deliver me from all situations and conditions.

2. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, When we are distressed and worried we need rest our faith in God. (Matthew 11:28-30) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”

Affirm: I give my burden and my worries to Christ who gives me comfort in his word and everlasting love.

3. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. It is not God’s will that we should suffer or worry over any conditions of this world. In this state of suffering and personal conce
with life we become susceptible to the ways of the world. However, it is through the blood of Christ that we are redeemed (restored to our former self) in our relationship with God. (Ephesians 1:7-8) "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."

Affirm: I am redeemed back to God through Christ, and aligned with the will of God.

4. 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. God wants us to have no fear in life. That when we give our lives to Christ God is protecting us ( Rod) and guiding us with God’s Spirit ( staff)

Affirm: I rest my faith in God, that he will make a way in my times of trouble

5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

So often we call to God to take away our enemy, be it a financial condition, and health problem, or emotional problem. We ask to have these things in our life removed form us, but god has never promised us that we would not have trial or tribulations in life. If we had a life without these conditions we would quickly turn from God to rescue us, because we would have nothing to be rescued from.

At the last supper Christ Jesus knew that he would be betrayed by Judas, doubted by Thomas and denied by Peter. Jesus knew that the soldiers were coming to arrest him and the he was about to embark on some of the most horrific treatment any man had endured.

Jesus did not run from this enemy instead he sat down and ate with the disciples (You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemy). When we do God will in spite of the situatio
God will not just rescue you but reward you greatly for not turning away your faith in God. (Hebrews 10:35-36) “Cast not away your confidence which has great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise.

Affirm: Because I love God and keep my faith in him God rewards me continually in every thing I do.

6. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Here we must understand that God has promised us success and prosperity not want and poverty. That we will have these things through daily prayer, meditation and practicing the precept of God will. (Deuteronomy 28:13 ) And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

Affirm: God shall make me the head and the tail in all situations and I will praise him and worship him until my death!

So the affirmation becomes;

I will call upon the lord and he will deliver me from all situations and conditions. I give my burden and my worries to Christ who gives me comfort in his word and everlasting love. I rest my faith in God, that he will make a way in my times of trouble. Because I love God and keep my faith in him God rewards me continually in every thing I do. God shall make me the head and the tail in all situations and I will praise him and worship him until my death!

God Bless,