Trusting God for Everything: Psalm 23

Last year on the beaches of the Riviera Maya, I read the gospels and was blown away by the radical character of Jesus.  The impact altered my perception and compassion for the surrounding culture and people and infused me with boldness to project His love. 

When I travel on vacation, I seek a break from my usual routines with hopes of blending adventure and relaxation.  During my last few annual vacations, I started to pursue this even in my daily time with God after an abrupt realization that God doesn’t go on His own vacation when I do.  I yearn for some different and fresh way to connect with Him, either through a particular topic or a select book in the Bible for my focus.  The memories of a trip now include not only the adventures and refreshment but spiritual renewal and companionship with God as well.

I just found the perfect book for my next vacation!  Jan Johnson’s Trusting God for Everything: Psalm 23 nurtured my soul as she guided me through study and meditation of a very familiar passage that delivered me to new heights.  This book includes seven meditations focusing on connecting with God by trusting Him for everything you need, for soul restoration, in His leadership, in the Deep Valleys, during opposition, and in His continual companionship.  Each meditation begins with settling into a peaceful place with opening thoughts, then immersion in the Word, response with thought-provoking questions, reflection, and prayer. 

Warning: This is not a Bible study, but a tool for interacting with God through Scripture while shedding light on an overly-familiar passage. 

While the author provides suggestions on how to have an effective retreat time, this book can also be useful for stay-cations and Saturday mornings if you find that you just can’t get away, so long as you can get yourself alone to really commune with God.  I used this book for Saturdays and holidays for the purpose of this review and rushed through it faster than I would’ve liked, so I plan to take it with my on my next vacation.  Still, I will never read or recite Psalm 23 the same way ever again, and my trust in God has expanded. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."