The 23The 23rdrd Psalm Psalm(Part 3)(Part 3)

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)

Providence: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies"We have the same promises. We have the same promises.

– Proverbs 28:25Proverbs 28:25 "...he that putteth his trust in "...he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat."Jehovah shall be made fat."

– Psalms 37:25Psalms 37:25 "I have been young, and now am "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."his seed begging bread."

– cf. Matthew 6:32-33cf. Matthew 6:32-33

The enemy may seem to have the victory, but The enemy may seem to have the victory, but the saints always win. the saints always win. Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 19:11-21; 20:4-6.20:4-6.

Favor "Thou anointest my head with oil"

To be anointed of the Lord is to:To be anointed of the Lord is to:– Be chosen of the Lord.Be chosen of the Lord.– The term “Christ,” means God's anointed.The term “Christ,” means God's anointed.– Be in His favor. Be in His favor. cf. 1 Samuel 16:13cf. 1 Samuel 16:13

God has chosen and anointed certain ones God has chosen and anointed certain ones today.today.– "IN CHRIST""IN CHRIST" NOT INDIVIDUAL! NOT INDIVIDUAL! Ephesians 1:3-4Ephesians 1:3-4– We are a chosen generation. We are a chosen generation. 1 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:9– And in His favor. And in His favor. Ephesians 3:16-19Ephesians 3:16-19

Joy "My cup runneth over"

There is no more room for blessings. He is There is no more room for blessings. He is overjoyed as a result.overjoyed as a result.

Christians rejoice "in Christ."Christians rejoice "in Christ."– The eunuch went on his way rejoiced. The eunuch went on his way rejoiced. Acts 8:39Acts 8:39– The jailer's household rejoiced. The jailer's household rejoiced. Acts 16:34Acts 16:34– All Christians should rejoice. All Christians should rejoice. 1 Peter 4:12-14;1 Peter 4:12-14;

Matthew 5:11-12; Philippians3:1; 4:4Matthew 5:11-12; Philippians3:1; 4:4

No one on earth has more right to rejoice than No one on earth has more right to rejoice than the people of God.the people of God.

Mercy "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"

God's goodness is reserved for those who God's goodness is reserved for those who continue in His goodness. continue in His goodness. Romans 11:22Romans 11:22– The prodigal understood that the goodness of His The prodigal understood that the goodness of His

father's house was reserved for those who lived father's house was reserved for those who lived there. there. cf. Luke 15:17cf. Luke 15:17

The blessings of salvation are reserved for The blessings of salvation are reserved for those who continue to walk therein.those who continue to walk therein.1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Colossians 1:21-231 Corinthians 15:1-3; Colossians 1:21-23

Immortality "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever"

David understood that following the Lord not only David understood that following the Lord not only provided blessings here, but that it provided for provided blessings here, but that it provided for eternal life.eternal life.Abraham had this kind of faith. Abraham had this kind of faith. Heb. 11:10-16Heb. 11:10-16Job reflected it too. Job reflected it too. Job 14:14Job 14:14Godliness not only has the promise of the life Godliness not only has the promise of the life that now is but that which is to come.that now is but that which is to come.1 Timothy 4:8; Mark 10:28-301 Timothy 4:8; Mark 10:28-30We will have a new body – We will have a new body – 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 3:20,21; 1 Corinthians 15:52-57Philippians 3:20,21; 1 Corinthians 15:52-57It is reserved in heaven for us. It is reserved in heaven for us. 1 Peter 4:51 Peter 4:5

Psalms 23Psalms 231 The LORD is my shepherd; 1 The LORD is my shepherd; FAITHFAITH I shall not I shall not

want. want. ASSURANCEASSURANCE

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: CONTENTMENTCONTENTMENT he leadeth me beside the still he leadeth me beside the still waters. waters. PEACEPEACE

3 He restoreth my soul:3 He restoreth my soul: LIFE LIFE he leadeth me in he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIP

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, shadow of death, CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE I will fear no I will fear no evil: evil: COURAGECOURAGE

Psalms 23Psalms 23……for thou art with me; for thou art with me; COMPANIONSHIPCOMPANIONSHIP thy thy

rod and thy staff they comfort me. rod and thy staff they comfort me. COMFORTCOMFORT

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: presence of mine enemies: PROVIDENCEPROVIDENCE thou anointest my head with oil; thou anointest my head with oil; FAVORFAVOR my my cup runneth over. cup runneth over. JOYJOY

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: all the days of my life: MERCY MERCY and I will dwell and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.in the house of the LORD for ever.IMMORTALITYIMMORTALITY

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?