Psalm 23 - When I Am Forgetful of God's Presence with Me

Summer in the Psalms

Oh hey, short on time? No worries! I'd love to join you on your commute or daily walk/run, or shoot, even while you take care of that to-do list. We can't let these things get in the way of this friendship. It's just starting to get good! Click below to listen.

Listen Now

Where are you dwelling today?

I, for one, don't ask myself this question enough. We're more accustomed to hearing, "How are you doing today?" but if we want to understand why we're doing well or poorly, I believe it actually goes back to this first question: Where are you dwelling today?

My friend, Melissa Labieniec is sharing her reflection of the beloved Psalm 23 with us and helping us experience the peace God has for us. You'll want to stick around 'til the end, the last story she shares is powerful and such a good visual for us as we go forward in our ever-changing circumstances.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Melissa is married and has two grown daughters. She has been a Christian for about 25 years now. Utilizing her bachelor’s degree in ministry and leadership (with a concentration in human services) from Grace Christian University, she loves going to church to lead and serve in many capacities. She is also on her local children’s hospital gala planning committee, where she feels she can be of service to children and families in need. The gala raises a substantial amount of money for the hospital every year and this brings her great joy!

Melissa is a twice published author with Proverbs 31 Ministries and has written blog entries and encouraging articles for many other online blogs, magazines and publications. She delights in spreading God’s joy, love and hope whenever she can to women of all ages and all stages of life. You can connect with her on Facebook. Also, be on the lookout for another book coming out Fall 2025 with Proverbs 31 Ministries (First Five), where one of her devotions will be published.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - Psalm 23:6

Dwell. When I think of the word dwell, I think of being still and in perfect peace. I think of a loving presence that surrounds me and wraps around me like a security blanket.

Dwell. What a wonderful word. What a wonderful thought.

My life has been nothing but constant chaos lately. I’m busy, distracted and I haven’t had a moment of stillness or peace. Even when I lay my head down at night to sleep my mind seems to toss and turn the same way my body does. I just can’t rest in general, let alone rest in His presence. So, when I read Psalm 23 I was both encouraged and enlightened.

You see, I often forget that the Lord is with me. I forget the Lord loves me. I forget to look to Him in times of trouble. Mostly, I forget that I get to dwell in His house… now and forever.

Today, I realize that anything and everything I do is for Him and more importantly because of Him. I am only here because He created me in His image, so why do I let the everyday issues hit me so hard and get me so down? Why do I get discouraged? Why do I forget the Lord is near?

Psalm 23 speaks of the very peace and stillness I desire… and need, quite frankly.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. - Psalm 23:2-3

This scripture is a beautiful reminder that if I look to Him and Him alone, He will quiet my soul and refresh me.

Psalm 23 also tells me that if David, who was in complete turmoil, can understand that the Lord is with Him and will sustain him, then so can I. If David knew the Lord can love him enough to look after him and keep him safe, then I can remember this, too.

I bet this resonates with a lot of you, too. We all face rather tough circumstances at times. Do you ever forget that the Lord is with you, like I do?

Friends, that’s normal. We all have bad days or days where we just aren’t feeling His presence. But here’s the thing. He is always with us, and we always get to dwell in His house forever. That never goes away. Take solace in that fact. Even when we forget, he’s still there waiting for us to press in. We just have to remember to look to Him so we can take refuge and get some soul rest. We can remember He is the giver of the peace we long for.

Upon reading Psalm 23, I was reminded of a story I once read (author unknown). This story tells of a contest where painters were asked to paint a picture that would convey “peace.” Everyone drew peaceful and quiet scenes, but one artist did not. He drew a massive and raging storm. He also drew a tree and within it was a little crevice. Nestled in this crevice was a nest. Inside this nest was a tiny bird sleeping peacefully. The little bird took refuge and was perfectly protected from the storm. (That artist won the contest!)

Friends, we are the little bird. We won’t be able to calm all the storms of our lives that surround and threaten us, but we can find our own crevice and nest. For us, that is the house of the Lord! That is where we dwell.

Now, It's Your Turn!

I challenge you to take a moment to pray, then read or listen to Psalm 23 today. Think about what stands out to you. Consider writing down a statement of faith. It may help to think of this as an I-statement. Maybe yours is similar to Melissa's:

Even when a storm surrounds, God calms my soul for my nest is sheltered in the arms of the Almighty.

Then, jot down a question to think about today. Maybe yours is similar to Melissa's:

Am I experiencing the peace God has for me today, or am I forgetting and choosing to dwell somewhere else today?

Praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.

Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.