Recently we heard about a pastor, John McNeil in the 1900’s who observed that more people put their trust in Christ as Savior when he preached on the 23rd Psalm than any other sermon. Why? Now, as before, people seek peace and rest amid chaos and uncertainty.
I wrote the following “empty psalm” because I wanted to remember the hopelessness of being without Jesus. I pray that reading the “empty psalm” and the Twenty-third Psalm will remind us of the sweet rest we have in the Savior and remind us of how it felt to be lost. Let’s share the Good News with someone today!
| The Empty Psalm By Peggy Sperling | The Twenty-third Psalm By King David |
| 1. The world is my shepherd; And I want more. | 1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. |
| 2. But more fills my heart with a vacuum; It leads me to restless anxiety. | 2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. |
| 3. It empties my soul. I follow down pathways of pleasure for my own sake. | 3. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. |
| 4. Yea, though I hide far away from all sickness and death, I still fear everything; and no one is with me! There’s no one to lean on to comfort me. | 4. Yea, 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. |
| 5. I look for someone to sustain me in the presence of my companions, But I’m abandoned again; My cup runs dry. | 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. |
| 6. Surely my empty choices shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the darkness and pain Forever. | 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. |