The three most quoted scripture passages in our day and age, I believe, are John 3:6 where Jesus said, “You must be born again”, John 3:16,17 where again Jesus is speaking and he said, “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”, and Psalm 23, written by King David, which reads in the New International Version,
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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.
The 17th century King James Version of the Bible still had a well known version of the 23rd Psalm. It reads thus:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
An explanation of the 23rd Psalm that uses both the NIV and KJV and which is circulating online and which comes from “Doug and Kathleen Ministries” goes this way:
The Lord is my shepherd = Relationship.
I shall not be in want = Supply.
He makes me lie down in green pastures = Rest.
He leads me beside quiet waters = Refreshment.
He restores my soul = Healing.
He guides me in paths of righteousness = Guidance.
For His name’s sake = Purpose.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = Testing.
I will fear no evil = Protection.
For you are with me = Faithfulness.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me = Discipline.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies = Hope.
You anoint my head with oil = Consecration.
My cup overflows = Abundance.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life = Blessing.
Those fifteen key words are a good explanation of who God is, and of our relationship with Him. Once again, here they are: Relationship, Supply, Rest, Refreshment, Healing, Guidance, Purpose, Testing, Protection, Faithfulness, Discipline, Hope, Consecration, Abundance, Blessing.
Meditate on these words, “claim” them for yourself, apply them to your day and you will be strengthened and invigorated.
