Psalm 23 | Week 1
July 7, 2024

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Pastor Jason Browning

Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

  • David knew that the Presence of the Lord was the greatest fulfillment in life.

  • Because I’m with the Shepherd

  • David understood that if I’m in the green pasture, if I’m stranded in the desert, if I’m hiding in a cave from my enemies no matter where I am I can have peace and joy and fulfillment, I shall not want because I’m with the Shepherd.

  • David talks about a faith in God and a fulfillment in His presence that can’t be taught or explained it has to be experienced.

  • Job

  • God blesses people when they honor Him and obey His word.

  • A faith of discipline and obedience

Job 3:25 The thing I greatly feared has come upon me and what I dreaded has happened to me.

  • A faith of desperation

Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

  • What happens when God sends you through a Job chapter?

  • Is the presence of the Shepherd enough?

Often God allows up to reach the point of desperation so we can learn how to trust. The “life without lack” the “I have no wants” is known by those who learned to trust God in the moment of their need. Not before the moment of need, not after the moment of need… for it is in that moment when everything else is gone that you know the reality of God and His presence.” —Dallas Willard

Job 42:5-6
5I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 6Surely I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

  • Because I’m in the presence of the Shepherd.

Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.