The 23The 23rdrd Psalm Psalm(Part 2)(Part 2)

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)

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

Leadership "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake"The Lord leads, David followed.The Lord leads, David followed.

– Man cannot direct his own steps. Man cannot direct his own steps. cf. Jeremiah cf. Jeremiah 10:2310:23

David was led by God through the teaching of David was led by God through the teaching of the OTthe OT

Today God leads us through the NTToday God leads us through the NT– God's righteousness is found in the gospel. God's righteousness is found in the gospel.

Romans 1:16-17Romans 1:16-17– All of us are to walk by this same rule. All of us are to walk by this same rule.

Philippians 3:15,16; cf. Hebrews 12:1-2Philippians 3:15,16; cf. Hebrews 12:1-2

Leadership "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake"

The Lord leads and we are to follow. Luke The Lord leads and we are to follow. Luke 9:239:23

Many rather elect to follow blind guides.Many rather elect to follow blind guides.cf. Matthew 15:14cf. Matthew 15:14– Their end is the ditch. Their end is the ditch. cf. verse 13cf. verse 13

The Lord is the Good Shepherd and cares for The Lord is the Good Shepherd and cares for the sheep. the sheep. John 10:1-4, 11-14John 10:1-4, 11-14– We can follow with confidence.We can follow with confidence.

Leadership "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake"The Lord has the words of life.The Lord has the words of life.

Peter and the disciples could not look elsewhere. Peter and the disciples could not look elsewhere. cf. John 6:66-68; cf. John 16:13f; Romans 8:14cf. John 6:66-68; cf. John 16:13f; Romans 8:14

Now he has proven that He can and will lead us Now he has proven that He can and will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. through the valley of the shadow of death. – He was tempted. He was tempted. cf. Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15cf. Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15– He died. He died. Hebrews 2:14-15Hebrews 2:14-15

And He proved that man can and will be raised from And He proved that man can and will be raised from the dead. the dead. cf. Acts 2:24; Colossians 2:15cf. Acts 2:24; Colossians 2:15

We are to walk as He walked. We are to walk as He walked. 1 John 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1 John 2:5-6; 1 Peter 2:212:21

Confidence "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"

The walk is the walk all men must take. The walk is the walk all men must take. Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 9:5Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 9:5

Such confidence is born of hope. Such confidence is born of hope. Philippians Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6,8; 2 Timothy 4:6-81:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6,8; 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Such hope should rest upon the promises of Such hope should rest upon the promises of God. God. 2 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 10:22-232 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 10:22-23

All the fear of death should be removed from All the fear of death should be removed from us. us. Hebrews 2:14-15; Hebrews 13:5-6Hebrews 2:14-15; Hebrews 13:5-6

Courage "I will fear no evil"

David had shown courage all of his life. David had shown courage all of his life. cf. 1 Samuel 17:37cf. 1 Samuel 17:37

The man who fears God has no need to fear The man who fears God has no need to fear any other thing. any other thing. Matthew 10:28; Acts 10:34-Matthew 10:28; Acts 10:34-3535

John teaches us how to completely eliminate John teaches us how to completely eliminate fear. fear. 1 John 4:181 John 4:18

Companionship "For thou art with me"

How can we have Him as our companion?How can we have Him as our companion?We must come to where God is. We must come to where God is. 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 6:166:16We must come to walk where He dwells.We must come to walk where He dwells.1 John 1:5-71 John 1:5-7We must keep His commandments. We must keep His commandments. 1 John 1 John 2:3-5; 3:24; James 4:82:3-5; 3:24; James 4:8

cf. 2 Chronicles 15:2cf. 2 Chronicles 15:2 “…Jehovah is with “…Jehovah is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you."forsake him, he will forsake you."

Companionship "For thou art with me"

How can we have Him as our companion?How can we have Him as our companion?

Must be careful not to go beyond God's word or Must be careful not to go beyond God's word or encourage those who do.encourage those who do.

2 John 9-102 John 9-10 "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth

not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into (your) house, and give him no greeting."into (your) house, and give him no greeting."

Comfort "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me"

God would use His rod to punish His enemies. God would use His rod to punish His enemies. Psalms 9:16Psalms 9:16 “Jehovah hath made himself “Jehovah hath made himself known, he hath executed judgment: the wicked known, he hath executed judgment: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.”is snared in the work of his own hands.”

His staff leads to a place of comfort for His His staff leads to a place of comfort for His followers. followers. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 14:13Revelation 14:13

The 23rd Psalm…The 23rd 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?