Psalm 23

Psalm 23 #

Psalm 23

I. Sheep’s Responsibility #

A. Chose your Capitan “my Shepherd” (1) #

B. Chose Contentment “I shall not want” (1) #

1 Timothy 6:6-9 – godliness + contentment = great gain!

C. Chose to Comply “he leadeth me” (2) #

“Where he leads me, I will follow, follow any where.”

  • Don’t get ahead of God! A follower is not in front

1. Green pastures (2) - Scriptures #

  • Scriptures of truth! They are rich lush green passages, full of freshness every single day!
  • You find sweet rest, in these Scriptures.

2. Still waters (2) – Spirit – calm, deep, refreshing #

3. Sanctification “path of right” (3) his name’s sake #

4. Struggles (4) – Valley, make you stronger #

D. Chose to Confide “fear no evil” (4) #

  • You cannot trust in God, and fear evil!
  • Spurgeon said, “The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us.” - We have nothing to fear!

1. Comfort of his presence “thou art with me” #

  • This is the greatest of all comforts, the Shepherd is nearby.

    • He is nearby, because we have stayed close.

2. Comfort by the rod & staff #

  • Correction
  • Rod, is often used in the idea, of correction!
  • Be comforted that the LORD cares enough about you to correct you!

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb 12:5–6)

  • Protection

    • That staff, would be used, as protection

II. Shepherd’s Responsibility #

  • We are to consider these blessings! We don’t need to take His responsibility!

A. Lead (2-3) #

1. God cares #

  • I find it fascinating, that the God of heaven, the Creator of everything, would take time to guide us!
  • He guides, because He Cares, and wants whats best

2. God leads #

  • He will give you direction in life!

B. Restore (3) #

1. Salvation #

  • Obviously at the time of salvation…

2. Joy #

  • Sin burdens us down, it weighs us down with guilt, feelings of depression, darkness… however, God is able to RESTORE!

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)

C. He Prepares (5) “preparest a table before me” #

1. God’s care & provision #

  • God provided Manna for the nation of Israel
  • God provided food for Elijah when he was down
  • God provided bread for 5000+ in the wilderness
  • God provided food for Peter, when he walked away

2. In the presence of enemies! #

  • Such trust, in provision, that God supplies, even while the enemy watches!

D. He anoints (5) #

1. OT Priests anointed #

“And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.” (Exodus 30:30)

2. We are anointed (1 Pet 2:9) #

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

  • The HOLY Spirit anoints us, is with us!
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