About a year ago a small group I was a part of paused from our work to share a devotion. And I confess, as my friend began by suggesting we turn our minds to Psalm 23, I rolled my eyes a bit. To be clear: I love the 23rd Psalm. It’s beautiful, meaningful, familiar. There’s a reason we hear it more than any of the other 149 Psalms. But my acquaintance with the passage was precisely why I was disappointed, longing instead for something I hadn’t already known, preached, or taught. And I couldn’t have been more wrong. Before it was read, we were asked to listen to a particular part of the Psalm, an unexpected part: the pronouns. Notably, the “me” pronouns. We were reminded that Psalm 23, in all its familiarity, in all its beauty, is quite particularly written from the perspective of the reader. From my perspective. From yours. And by “reminded” I mean had my eyes opened to a part of this apparently not-as-familiar-as-I-thought-it-was Psalm. The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures; leads me beside still waters; restores my soul. The 23rd Psalm certainly calls us to consider the ministry we will offer to others, the opportunities to share the miraculous abundance of God and God’s presence in times of peace as well as darkness. But its immediate concern is me. Is you. Is a reminder that God has called you to lie down in green pastures, to note the still waters, and to be restored. The devotion was a reminder for me, and an invitation, and I offer it in turn to you. As you enter into your own time of rest today or this weekend – whether it’s a full-day sabbath or a time of rest distinguishing itself from busy-ness – I invite you to read Psalm 23 and pay attention to the pronouns. To what God offers to you. Rev. Ben Richards Psalm 23 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 right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. | 
