Deep Breath

Verse
Psalm 23:3 (The Message)
“True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.”

Devotion
I love Psalm 23, I mean who doesn’t? God is described as a Shepherd taking care of his sheep, and us, as his sheep, content and comforted by his care. Really, you’d be doing yourself a favor to go and read the whole thing once you’re done here, no matter how many times you’ve read it before 🙂

I was praying for someone (on my own, at my house lol) and Psalm 23:3 came to mind to share with them. I read it in The Message version and it was obvious how applicable it was for this time. “True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction”. Other versions say, “He restores my soul”.

I love the imagery of God letting you catch your breath. Makes me take a deep breath even as I write it. Sigh. These words are for anyone reading this today who needs to catch your breath and who needs their soul restored.

Psalm 23 starts off with beautiful, poetic imagery of a Shepherd leading us by still water, and us laying down in green grass, our souls restored. It can appear at first glance that this kind of care is happening because life is peaceful and easy. But the Psalm goes on to talk about God caring for David (the writer) even in the valley of the shadow of death, and that God prepares a table for him (provides for him) in the presence of his enemies.

The beautiful, poetic imagery of God as our caring, helpful Shepherd, in a beautiful meadow, letting us catch our breath, is an open invitation. I see it like an oasis inside of us no matter what is going on around us.
If you’re tired of being around your kids and family 24/7, or you’re done being alone, or trying to work from home, or you’ve lost a job/income, or whatever it is that’s stressful. Take a moment to see Him this way and allow Him to help you take a deep breath. Let him hold whatever it is that feels too much. He can let you catch your breath and then send you in the right direction.

Also here’s a really simple and beautiful song that I just came across and have to share because I can’t help myself 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_BN53ZFEpZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link