My Favorite Bible Verses Pt 1

Psalm 23 NKJV

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

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 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

A few months ago I was going through a pseudo MS flare.  The fingers on my left hand had curled up and my whole arm was cramping from the shoulder down.  The usual fatigue was hitting with a vengeance.  I didn't know when my hand would be back to normal.  I didn't know when I would be able to go back to work.  I was pretty down in the dumps. 

Then one morning I received Psalm 23 in a text message from a young lady.  Psalm 23 isn't one of my go-to verses.  It's one of the verses I learned in Sunday School when I was little. But it was exactly what I needed that morning and exactly what I need everyday.  

I prefer it in King James' version, but I also like how the Message puts it.

^1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.

Tomorrow I'll share some of my other go-to verses.  What are your faves?