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FINDING SPACE AND REFRESHMENT 

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 23 

The psalmist (David) describes God as the good shepherd. 

REFLECTION

Finding space and refreshment is the theme for our reflection. Refreshment is the process of becoming rested and regaining strength or energy. The popular understanding of refreshment is a period set aside to take food and drink within or after a programme, trip or ceremony. In the context of today’s scripture reading, we shall appreciate the fact that God, the good shepherd finds a safe space for refreshment for His sheep or his people.

It is important to note that refreshment leads to restoration. Physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological restoration comes from the refreshment God our good shepherd gives us. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  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. (Psalms 23:1-3). Our souls cannot be restored if we are physically weak, spiritually and emotionally suppressed, and psychologically unstable. When we remain obedient to God our good shepherd, He understands our frustrations and anxieties therefore He finds the most appropriate place to restore our souls. He does this by ensuring that we lie down in beautiful and nutritious green pasture which is likened to abundance and satisfaction. God does not only satisfy us with abundance but takes away our anxieties so that we can drink and walk through still waters safely without the fear of drowning or being carried away by the water. The waters signify the conditions we need to endure for our survival, some of the conditions we encounter are unpredictably harsh and violent but when we trust and obey God, He shall find for us conducive conditions where we shall be fully refreshed and restored. These conditions can likened to still waters.  Many are those who have lost their lives trying to drink and cross the unpredictably harsh economic waters of this world. This brings to mind migrants from Africa who try to go through Lybia to cross the Mediterranean sea. Many have lost their lives but today’s Scripture assures us that when we have faith in God and fully depend on Him as our Shepherd, no matter our location and the harsh waters surrounding us in our countries, God is able to find and lead His sheep (Children) beside the still waters. No wonder David emphatically proclaims that “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.” ( Psalms 23:4). Surely God’s refreshment and guidance are complete and comforting. 

Again, we see God’s grace and greatness when He finds space and refreshment for us especially among people we never anticipate, in the presence of our enemies. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalms 23:5). It is not in the best interest of our enemies when we are refreshed and restored. Our enemies who may be physical or spiritual wish to see us fall or suffer. They do not wish to see us succeed. Our misfortune is their joy yet God chooses to make our enemies witness our greatness, refreshment, and restoration. In fact, they become beneficiaries and partakers of the very thing they hate to see or pray against. God does not only find a place to refresh us in presence of our enemies, He ensures that we are untouchable, that is why He anoints our heads with oil of power and blessings. “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” Psalms 105:15.  My friend it is improper to pray for the downfall of our human enemies, they must live to see the day of our refreshment and blessings and give glory to God for our restoration. May the Lord keep you refreshed and blessed so that your testimony will always be “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalms 23:6).  Shalom 

PRAYER 

ALMIGHTY GOD, WE HAVE NO POWER OF OUR OWN TO FULLY REFRESH OURSELVES, WE PUT OUR HOPE AND TRUST IN YOU FOR FULL REFRESHMENT AND RESTORATION. AMEN

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)