The 23The 23rdrd Psalm Psalm(Part 1)(Part 1)

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

FaithFaith "The Lord is my Shepherd" "The Lord is my Shepherd"

Jesus said, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd..." "I am the good shepherd..." John10:11John10:11

The church is His flock of sheep. The church is His flock of sheep. John10:16; John10:16; Acts 20:28Acts 20:28

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Him. John10:27John10:27

cf.cf. Romans10:17Romans10:17 "So then faith cometh by "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

They do not follow strangers. They do not follow strangers. John10:5John10:5

Is Christ your shepherd and are you following Is Christ your shepherd and are you following Him?Him?

Assurance "I shall not want"

cf.1 Samuel 17:32-37cf.1 Samuel 17:32-37 David challenging David challenging Goliath.Goliath.

Results from teaching. Results from teaching. Psalms 37:23-25; Psalms 37:23-25; Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:33

God will supply our needsGod will supply our needs. Matthew 7:7-8; . Matthew 7:7-8; Hebrews 13:5-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11Hebrews 13:5-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Hebrews 10:22Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."our bodies washed with pure water."

Contentment "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures"

1 Timothy 6:61 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment "But godliness with contentment is great gain."is great gain." cf. verses 7-8; Philippians cf. verses 7-8; Philippians 4:11-134:11-13

Failing to be satisfied leads to other sins:Failing to be satisfied leads to other sins:– Covetousness. Covetousness. Luke 12:13-15Luke 12:13-15– Envy, jealously and strife.Envy, jealously and strife.

Peace "He leadeth me beside the still waters"

Restless and troubled waters are dangerous. Restless and troubled waters are dangerous. cf. Mark4:36-41cf. Mark4:36-41

The still quiet waters are peaceful and safe. The still quiet waters are peaceful and safe. Mark 4:38Mark 4:38

Jesus is our "Prince of Peace." Jesus is our "Prince of Peace." cf. Isaiah 9:6cf. Isaiah 9:6

Peace is valuablePeace is valuable. Philippians 4:7; Matthew . Philippians 4:7; Matthew 5:9; Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:10-12; Romans 5:9; Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:10-12; Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:1-412:18; Ephesians 4:1-4

Peace "He leadeth me beside the still waters"

Not peace at any price!Not peace at any price!

Put on the whole armor of God. Put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians Ephesians 6:106:10

"Fight the good fight of faith." "Fight the good fight of faith." 1 Timothy 6:121 Timothy 6:12

Realize it is a spiritual battle. Realize it is a spiritual battle. 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 10:3-610:3-6

Contend earnestly for the faith. Contend earnestly for the faith. Jude 3Jude 3

Life "He restoreth my soul"

To restore the soul seems to imply life again.To restore the soul seems to imply life again. cf. James 2:26cf. James 2:26

"If a man die, shall he live again.""If a man die, shall he live again." Job 14:14Job 14:14– This is why David was not afraid to walk through the valley of This is why David was not afraid to walk through the valley of

the shadow of death.the shadow of death.– This is why he ate instead of fasting when his son died. This is why he ate instead of fasting when his son died.

He could go to him. He could go to him. 2 Samuel 12:22-232 Samuel 12:22-23

Evidently David foresaw the resurrection. Evidently David foresaw the resurrection. cf. Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:31cf. Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:31

Jesus spoke of the resurrection. Jesus spoke of the resurrection. John11:25John11:25– All will be raised. All will be raised. John 5:28-29John 5:28-29

The 23The 23rdrd Psalm… Psalm…

Can you speak with the faith, conviction, Can you speak with the faith, conviction, confidence and assurance of David?confidence and assurance of David?

Only if you have let the Lord be your shepherd.Only if you have let the Lord be your shepherd.

If you've not had Him as your If you've not had Him as your Shepherd, why not start now?Shepherd, why not start now?