Finding stillness

¹A Psalm by David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.

²He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

³He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴Even 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.

⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.

⁶Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever.

²⁵Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

²⁶See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

²⁷“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?

²⁸Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,

²⁹yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

³¹“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’

³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

³³But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

³⁴Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

²⁵“I have said these things to you while still living with you.

²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

²⁷Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

⁵Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

⁹Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

¹For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

²Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

³though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.

⁴There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.

⁵God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.

⁶The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice and the earth melted.

⁷The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁸Come, see the LORD’s works, what desolations he has made on the earth.

⁹He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.

¹⁰“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.”

¹¹The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,

⁷casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

⁸Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

⁹Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

¹⁰But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

¹¹To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

²⁸“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”