Dear Friends and Members of IBC, On Sunday, we finished our Summer in the Psalms series, and wonderfully sang Psalm 23. It has set us up well for this coming Sunday, as (spoiler alert!) we will start going through the book of James and consider how we face trials. So, in this week’s Word for the Week, I thought to post a previous reflection on this timeless Psalm. Jesus promises that we will all have times of trouble; we are not spared from hardships and pain. But how comforting it is that we have a Chief Shepherd, a Friend, who leads us beside still waters, who promises to always accompany us, even when we hesitantly go through those dark valleys. God bless you James The LORD is my shepherd1; I shall not want2. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters3. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death4, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life7 , and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. __________________________

1 A shepherd cares for His sheep. He protects them, He watches over them. He knows everything about them. I don’t know what my soul looks like. I struggle to know how and what to pray for. Our Chief Shepherd knows His sheep best. 2 2 Peter 1:3 backs this up. God’s divine power has given us everything we need. Do I really need a lot of the things that I think I do? 3 A sheep does well to obey and follow where His Shepherd leads. Rest is only found in Him. 4 Only one person has gone through the valley of the shadow of death and defeated it. Only one person can now lead us safely through. Jesus. Only with Jesus can we say with the apostle Paul, ‘O Death, where is your sting?’ 5 A shepherd’s rod guides the sheep out of trouble when they have fallen down some rocks or got caught in a bush. Jesus picks us up when we get knocked down. And His strong, mighty staff fights off any predators that might attack. 6 He even provides more than we need! 7 The Lord of hosts provides. He attends to each of His sheep.