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Message Notes:
Psalms 23 Series:
Meditate = to think deeply or carefully about (something).
MAIN IDEA:
The shepherd knows we will face problems in this world.
Ps. 23 tells us how to think properly and make sure we don’t walk through it without Him.
Ps 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. NKJV
Let’s digest the last 3 verses:
VERSE 4
Yea, 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.
God wants to help us walk WITHOUT fear.
- Fear and faith are the same spirit pointed in opposite directions.
To walk without fear EVEN WHEN faced with death
- The shepherd has removed the sting and fear of death. Death is no longer the end…Just the beginning of a new chapter
Even before death…We need not fear EVIL in the present.
- The shepherd is with us.
- The shepherd’s presence does not REMOVE EVIL
- simply the need to FEAR IT for the sheep.
A “shadow” has no more bite…It might still seem scary, but it cannot do any harm to you.
- Experienced birds know if there is a scarecrow…There must be some good eating at the feet of it.
- Becomes more direct and personal
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- Guidance and correction
VERSE 5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Why would God prepare a table for me, in front of my enemies?
- What is the table?
- Who are my enemies?
- How is it all prepared?
- What does this mean to us?
3 key words:
Prepareth
Table
Enemies
God, you arrange, you set in order, ordain and furnish (with great attention to detail) a feast of all sorts of provision that is piled high and stretches out a long way, right in the middle of all my distress, my pangs of trouble and my afflictions.
How do we do this?
Recognize that hard is not bad…God does not promise an absence of conflict.
Asking Him to change your thinking and perspective about the great provision of His table
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Oil was refreshing physically and it symbolized God’s power covering us
VERSE 6
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Mercy can be translated here – “steadfast love”
Read it again:
Ps 23 –
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. NKJV
MAIN IDEA:
The shepherd knows we will face problems in this world.
Ps. 23 tells us how to think properly and make sure we don’t walk through it without Him.
IN CLOSING
The responsibility of the sheep?
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep 1 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” NLT —John 10:1-5
OUR JOB:
Vs. 4 - They follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
Another way of saying our responsibility:
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. NLT —James 4:7-8-7
SO WHAT IS OUR JOB ACCORDING TO JESUS:
- Recognize His voice
- Come to Him
- Follow Him
- Run from strangers
- Address the wandering spirit in all of us
MAIN IDEA:
The shepherd knows we will face problems in this world.
Ps. 23 tells us how to think properly and make sure we don’t walk through it without Him.
CHALLENGE QUESTION:
Are you doing what Jesus says his sheep do?
Following Him (Voice, word, ways) and running from stranger’s
If you prayed the prayer to start fresh with God today text “startagain” (one word) to 97000 so we can connect with you and help you take the next steps in this amazing decision.
My Notes:
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