When my children were young, doctors’ offices provided colorful Highlights magazines to occupy us with fun activities so we wouldn’t mind the wait. God supplies wonderful reading material for those stuck in His waiting room too.
Photo by: Glen Noble
I’d selected Psalms 23 and 91 for our Bible study before I knew I’d be facing surgery and the suspicion of cancer. Wow! God sure knew what I needed.
Even though these Psalms were familiar, I found fresh applications for my current situation. These Psalms quelled my fears. Here are some takeaways from Psalm 23 (NIV). I’ve added the underlining.
“1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
- My security isn’t limited by the size of my bank account, my doctor’s knowledge, or the name of my illness, but by the size of my God.
- Will I focus on my perceived lack or on His provision?
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul.
- My life feels like it has been put on hold—with doctor and lab visits and waiting for my surgery. God stops my plans to restore me. God—not ideal circumstances—refreshes my soul.
- Will I rest and be refreshed in this standstill or resist and miss a blessing?
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
- He will guide me along the path to health that’s right for me. God's reputation rests on how well He takes care of me. Share on X
- Will I trust Him to accurately guide me, or will I worry over making the right decision?
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
- Sometimes we must walk through dark valleys. It’s scary to know we’re surrounded by danger and not be able to see it or where we’re going. But darkness doesn’t hinder God’s vision. We’re safe as long as we walk with our Shepherd.
- Am I focused on following my Shepherd or on trying to figure out where to go?
Photo by: Aaron Burden
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- God’s provision and goodness don’t evaporate when enemies show up. God’s bounty remains.
- What can I do to enjoy God’s goodness while I wait for this to be resolved?
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (NIV)
- I never need to fear the future. God’s goodness and love follow me through my last breath to heaven.
- Thank You that Your goodness and love are with me today!
Within a couple of weeks of reading this Psalm, a friend called to say he and his wife are donating to our ministry the amount needed to cover our insurance deductible and my oncologist said he thinks my mass is benign!
God’s Word always waters us, but during trials it’s a soaker hose. I’ve found the Psalms to be wonderful reading material for waiting rooms. May you too find the encouragement you need.
On the right-hand sidebar you can download the Bible study method I used above for free!
For those who have asked, I’m still waiting on a surgery date!
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Blessings,
Debbie W. Wilson
Sometimes I link up with these great sites:
#TestimonyTuesday, #IntentialTuesday, #TuesTalk, #w2wwordfilledwednesday, #Wedded Wednesday, #Women with Intention, #LivefreeThursday, #Thankful Thursdays, #Grace and Truth, #Reflect linkup,
Thank you Debbie for sharing. I needed to hear these words spoken today. Praying for you and your healing.
Thank you for your prayers, Kim!
Wow…this is SO powerful Debbie! I am blessed and inspired reading your words here this morning. What a testimony of God’s amazing love for us and the strength He protects us with every day. I’m glad to hear your good news. I know God with continue to watch over you and yours my friend. Continuing in Prayer…blessings
Thank you, Horace. God’s word brings life when we allow it to speak to us. Blessings to you too, my friend!
I’m praying for you now, Debbie. I, too, love Psalms for the encouragement and hope that they give. Thank you for being a precious open vessel for God to pour into and to pour out these beautiful words to refresh and encourage our souls. You are a blessing! Denise
Thank you, Denise! You’ve blessed me.
Love your bottom line truths, along with the blessings that are emerging! Your trials and discoveries bring life to those who are observing His ways through your witness. Can’t find sidebar to download study. Love, Pat
Thank you, Pat, for your encouraging words. Look at the upper right side under “Refresh you faith.” It should send it to you when you enter your email. You shouldn’t get the blog twice. If that happens next week, just unsubscribe at the bottom of one of the emails. But I don’t think it will.
I can so deeply relate to those beautiful truths you mined from Psalm 23! The psalms have always been my go-to reading especially in difficult times. I love how you expanded on those truths and I have no doubt He is directing your every step and you will emerge from this stronger, healthier and closer to Him.
Thank you, Ann. And I appreciate the health tips you share every week to help me grow healthier!
Oh, Debbie, I didn’t know you were dealing with this. I’m so sorry. Prayers for you, sister. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you while you’re recovering. Or, even if you guys need a meal while you’re recovering. Love these verses you’ve shared. Psalms is such a comforting book, isn’t it? Overflowing with what our hearts need to be reminded of. Thank you for sharing. Keeping you in prayer. Call me or email me if I can help with anything. ((xoxo))
Brenda, thank you so much. You are very thoughtful. Your prayers mean a lot. Trusting God’s timing and direction as I wait! Blessings to you, dear friend.
Thanks Debbie for this wonderful message from Psalm 23. God’s word is alive and active in every aspect of our lives for hope and encouragement. You are in our prayers, 2 Corinthians 13:14 ” May the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ and the LOVE of God and the FELLOWSHIP of the Holy Spirit be with you. “
Thank you, Clare, for your prayers and encouragement!
I’m so glad you’ve used Scripture to show us how God’s word can speak directly into our current circumstances, Debbie! I’m excited for how God has been working too. What a blessing to have that donation just in time to help with the costs of your surgery and even better that your doctor thinks your mass is benign! I’ll be praying for you, my friend! Keep us informed on the latest. We all want to know so we can pray informed prayers. 🙂
Thank you, Beth. I appreciate you!
Greetings from Athens, Greece! Such a beautiful and encouraging post Debbie! I will be praying for you, dear sister. Please keep us informed.
Thanks so much, Natasha. Awesome to connect across the globe!
Praying for you, my dear friend.
Thank you, Ann! And thanks for your sweet card.
Hi, my friend!
Surely He will supply even in the waiting room where most of us really hate to be. You have been much in my thoughts and prayers. Sydney and I are looking for God to do big things for you (as well as her). We will visit them this weekend to see her younger brother play a soccer match and then not again until surgery. A month from Friday will be the first step when she donates her own blood for her surgery. Resting in the assurance of how deep and wide and everlastingly our Lord loves you!
Pam
Pam, you are so thoughtful to think of me while your granddaughter is facing surgery. Sydney has been in my heart too. I hope to meet this brave gal some day! Blessings on you all. And yes, expecting God to bring great good for us both!
Debbie,
I am praying for you. Every night when I go into
My beautiful bedroom you put together for me
I think of you. I just read psalms 91 yesterday
In my devotions. Praise the good Lord for the peace
I see in you trusting. Love you, Brenda
Thank you Brenda for your prayers and sweet words of encouragement! Bless you!
We used to love those Highlight magazines too. I still have a stack in my basement from the years we subscribed.
Psalm 23 is always my go-to psalms in those situations too. Praying for your full healing!
Thanks, Lisa, for your prayers. They are wonderful magazines ,and Ps. 23 is always a treasure.
such a wonderful refreshing reminder that our trust is not in our health or circumstances but in our Good Shepherd! Praising with you that mass is benign… Thanks for letting so many of us into your journey! Love in Him, Suzi Primm
Thank you, Suzi. So good to hear from you!
What encouragement I needed today, Debbie! It’s amazing at how much we learn about being patient in those times of waiting. Psalm 23 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. It is such a soothing and encouraging little chapter. Thank you for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.
Thank you, Lori! Many blessings.