Why Did He Request This? (Psalms 23)

The Pastor ascended the podium, passing and acknowledging the photograph of the smiling man, so familiar to everyone there. It was my father’s memorial service. My father did not attend church or profess any serious religious affiliation. However, before he passed, to my surprise, he asked this Pastor to officiate at his memorial service. My father’s passing was due to a sudden heart attack and he was in relatively good health so there were no warning signs or preparation.

The Pastor greeted the gathering. “I would like to read his favorite Bible passage, which is familiar to many of us. Psalm 23.”

​The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalms 23 (ESV)

The Pastor preached his sermon and shared his remembrances of my father. He then invited several family members and friends to speak. It was a beautiful service and I was pleased to see many of my family and old friends of my father in attendance. Nearly ten years later, as I re-read this Psalm, something about the service bothered me. The Pastor was a former dentist who once worked for my father. When did my father speak to this Pastor and share with him his love of this Psalm? Why did he request this? How many times did he speak with him? Did he ever profess a believing faith in God? 

So many unanswered questions that will only be answered on the day I pass into the presence of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Will I see my father there? There is nothing I would like more than to know my father found peace in the last years of his life and accepted Jesus Christ. Scottish theologian, P.T. Forsyth, wrote, “The purpose of life is not to find your freedom, but to find your master.”

I pray that my father did find his master. 

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.