"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Psalm 23.1. So begins one of the best-known passages of Scripture. The image of God as One who guides us through life and sustains us in times of trouble is compelling. Interestingly, enough this psalm is often requested by those who are ill and at funerals.

In times of difficulty, we need familiar words of comfort. In difficult times, we need familiar words that do not need to be explained. Those words have the power that comes from long familiarity. There may be other passages from the Bible that speak more directly to our situation, and those who have regularly studied the Bible may call these to mind, but even the most scholarly, need the balm that tradition provides.

And we need words of encouragement. We need to be reminded that God is there for us in times of need and sorrow. Just as husband and wife need to remind each other that they love another, so we need to hear again the message that God is the One whose love and care is from everlasting to everlasting. Read the whole Psalm today, read or regularly, memorize its words. There will be a time when their healing salve is needed by your soul. - Glenn Miller