Part 2: Verse 2
Background to the Psalm
King David wrote this song as an expression of his personal relationship with the Lord. David was himself a shepherd from childhood and eventually used that experience in his role as Shepherd-King of God’s people Israel. David used imagery that was not only natural and easy for him to use but would have been easy for anyone of his time to identify with since the occupation of shepherding was common in the Near East. The message that Psalm 23 communicates is that when you have God as your Lord and Savior you experience all the blessings that come from being in relationship with Him: His care, His protection, and His eternal provision in heaven.
1. The First Example of God’s Shepherd’s Heart for You: He provides
and
– vs. 2 (Isaiah 26:3; 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 4:8; Matthew 5:6; John 7:37; Jeremiah 2:13
To experience these acts of love we must:
1.) Recognize His sovereign
2.) Release our
2. *The Second Example of God’s Sheperd’s Heart for You: He provides
_ and
_– vs.*
Next Sunday: Part 3 - Verse 3
The Daily Quiet Time and Keeping a Spiritual Journal
The Daily Quiet Time is the spiritual habit of spending time with God each day in order to grow in your personal relationship with Him. The elements of a DQT include study of the Word, prayer, keeping a spiritual journal and Scripture memorization. The spiritual journal is the place to record your love relationship with God. There are no official “rules” to journaling, save one: be honest in writing your thoughts. God wants to hear your heart. Journaling is more than a diary. It’s a place for you to record what God is doing in your life as He calls you to join Him in His mission of glorifying Himself by drawing worshippers from all the peoples of the world.
Suggestions to a Fulfilling Daily Quiet Time
Begin with prayer – Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind and guide you to the truth.
Date every entry – Recording the date in your journal will help you see the spiritual progress you’ve made.
Write down what you have learned as you study the Bible – Record the Scripture reference(s) studied. It is recommended that you read and study a book of the Bible at a time, one paragraph each day. As you read you may want to include using a study Bible to help shed light on difficult passages and to assist in applying the passage to your life. Ask, What has God said to you about Himself, His purposes or His ways from that passage? One method you could use is the OPA Method:
Observation: Compile all the facts in the passage. Make observations about what is said.
Principles: Draw a few principles from the observations that you have made. What is God trying to teach you in this passage?
Application: How will you apply these principals to your life? A good application will tell who, what and when.
Record all of this in your journal.Write a prayer response to God so you have a record of your encounter with God.
Write down any action steps you believe God wants you to take or adjustments in your life you feel God wants you to make. Write what’s on your heart - Don’t worry about mistakes.
Choose a verse each week from the section of the book of the Bible you are studying and memorize it. Write it on a 3 x 5 card and keep it handy to assist you in memorizing it.
End each day’s quiet time with God in prayer. Here is a suggested outline to model your prayer:
Adoration (Worship): Praise God by reflecting on who He is.
Confession: Once we recognize God for who He is, then it’s time to confess any sin in our lives in light of God’s holiness and justice.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for His work in your life, for your blessings, etc.
Supplication/Intercession/Petitions: Present your various requests to God for yourself and for others and let His peace guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).Keep a list of prayer requests/concerns in the back of or somewhere in your journal so you can regularly keep these matters in prayer as well as recording when God answers your requests. It is important to keep a list of answered prayer so that He gets the glory.
Periodically go back in your journal and trace God’s work in your life. Looking back will help you understand what He is doing in your life today as well as give insight into what He will do in the future.
Remember, when the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you, He is leading you to a relationship with Christ. He is your life!
“I Want to KNOW Christ…” Philippians 3:10
RESOURCES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Family Devotionals/Activity Lessons:
“Seeing Jesus Through the Uncertainty”
This four-part interactive family devotional has everything your family needs to discuss and learn about the faithfulness of God in difficult times, including Bible studies with discussion questions, activities, and coloring sheets. Each study in this series can be downloaded separately at: https://www.namb.net/seeing-jesus-through-the-uncertainty/
“Stuck at Home” Devotionals for Kids
This set of 30 devotionals is designed to help kids deal with challenges they may be facing during this difficult time. Each devotional has been carefully selected to help children recognize that God is still in control, and to give them practical help in relying on God to help them through. You can receive these by email or you can print them out yourself. Download at: https://www.cefonline.com/devos/?utm_source=parable
Free E-book by John Piper: Coronavirus and Christ
“This is a time when the fragile form of this world is felt. The seemingly solid foundations are shaking. The question we should be asking is, Do we have a Rock under our feet? A Rock that cannot be shaken—ever?”—John Piper Free e-book or audio download at: https://www.crossway.org/articles/coronavirus-and-christ-by-john-piper/
Free Article: “Help for Quarantined Marriages” Download at: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/marriage-quarantine/
Recommended Movies: Jesus in Athens - Amazon Prime or at www.jesusinathens.com
Jesus in Athens is the compelling story of the ways Christians are serving migrants, and how Muslims are encountering the love of God and Christians, believing the gospel, and forming churches. In 2015, over a million migrants entered Europe through Greece. And when they did revival and spiritual awakening broke out among the Muslims fleeing their war-torn countries. You’ll witness the miraculous, and watch churches spring into action showing hospitality to strangers
Unplanned - Amazon Prime; Redbox