![]() ![]() “ Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me Your rod and Your staff -they comfort me.” ( Psalm 23:4, HCSB) PRESENCE – I have a companion when the way is lonely. “His Name’s sake” because that He knows what is good for you. They tell us the direction they want to take us, even though they may not have our best interests at heart. So many voices competing for our attention. There is more noise now than there has ever been. So we have a hard time distinguishing what God wants because there is so much noise in our world. We have the smart phone texting and beeping, we have the music going, we have the social media flashing quotes, funny cat videos and pictures at us, television, and so many other things that can distract us. The reason there is confusion is because there is so much noise drowning out God’s voice in our lives. He leads you for His purposes, because He knows what is good for you. Have you ever been in a situation that seemed confusing? Where you looked at the situation and wondered: “How am I going to get through this? I don’t see a clear path.” God empowers you by bringing you along the right path. We follow for Mom and Dad’s sake because they know the right path, the way home. ![]() ![]() We know that if we follow Mom or Dad’s voice, it will bring us to safety. We are able to know that there is someone we can understand and trust. You’d be surprised how in tune our ears are when we are in danger or confusion. That child knows the parent’s voice – even in a crowded room. Have you ever been in a large crowd and a parent is calling for the child. “ He renews my life He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” ( Psalm 23:3, HCSB) PROVIDENCE – I have guidance in times of confusion. God’s guidance is perfect- infallible, reliable, and trustworthy. The Lord is vitally interested in directing us in every area, under all circumstances. He wants to direct us-strait and plain-safely to our journey’s end. It doesn’t matter what the situation, God gives us peace along the journey. This is what a Christian means when we say: “We have peace about this.” God helps us to come to a point where we understand that I don’t have to worry. He continues to lead me and His leadership provides peace. “ He lets me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside quiet waters.” ( Psalm 23:2, HCSB) PEACE – I have rest from a weary journey. So you can count on the fact that God will provide. His experience has proved God to be worthy of our trust. Jesus pointed to the birds and the flowers and noted that if God feeds and clothes them, won’t He do the same for His very own children (Matthew 6:25-33)? I n Psalm 37, David tells us that in his long life, he has never seen God fail to meet needs (verse 25). 5įor example, Psalm 23 tells us that the Lord is our Shepherd, so we shall not lack. Otherwise, your Shepherd would give it to you. If you feel you’re lacking something, know that it is not good for you at this point. “No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him,” the psalmist declares (Psalm 84:11). Instead of seeking that somewhere else, you might find the answer in knowing this: You may say: I feel like I am lacking something. Is it enough for me to make it through life? Yes. “ The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I lack.” ( Psalm 23:1, HCSB) As we close out a school year season and begin a new summer season, I want to share with you different ways God can empower you. God uses His to empower or strengthen His people. It is a psalm that comforts but at the same time empowers. One of the reasons it has such an attraction for us is that we all hunger for such authentic experience with God, and a personal witness to that experience brings us a step closer ourselves. ![]() There is no “we” or “us” or “they,” but only “my” and “me” and “I” and “he” and “you.” It is an overflow of David’s personal experience with God. It has been read, recited, set to music, and illustrated countless times. It is a beautiful picture of God as protector and guide. Tradition says its author was David, Israel’s king, in his youth as a shepherd boy. Psalm 23, which begins “The Lord is my shepherd,” is the most quoted of all the Psalms. ![]()
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