- Psalm 23
- Matthew 6:25
- Psalm 51:10, 12
- Philippians 4:7
- Philippians 1:21
- John 14:1, 6
- Revelation 21:23
King David wrote a short song that has been one of the most popular short songs, it has been used as a prayer, it has been recited and it has been the subject of millions of sermons around the world in many languages and cultures for thousands of years. Most believers have read and or recited Psalm 23 at least once.
When a Sunday school teacher asked a child in her class to recite the 23rd Psalm, the child stood up and with confidence began, “The Lord is my shepherd; that’s all I want!”
It sound humorous at first, and yet, that is exactly what the Psalmist is saying.
Someone may ask, how can God be sufficient for all our needs? Is God sufficient only for our spiritual needs, or can He be all we need in every area of our life?
Verse 1: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
In other words: “The Lord is my shepherd, I will not need anything,” that God cannot provide.
Verse 2: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.”
In the Physical life: “Green Pastures” are symbolic of prosperity and provision. He has made us physical creatures and He knows our physical needs, and He will supply what we need.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important that clothes?” Matthew 6:25
In the Emotional Life: “Quiet Waters” In other words “He leads me to waters where I can rest.” Sadly, peace and rest are not found in our frustrated world.
The world has never been in greater need of God and His calming and saving guidance and word.
Troubled conscience, guilt, nerve disorders, fear, anxiety, withdrawal, emotional problems have become a part of life for most people, and can only find peace with God beside the quiet waters.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In Spiritual Life: “He restores my soul.” In other words “He gives me new life.”
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10 & 12
The soul needs restoration. Originally created perfect to fellowship with God, but man has rejected God and gone his sinful way. Only Christ can change that and make reconcile us with God.
In the Moral Life: “Paths of Righteousness” In other words: God is my guide to the right road.
Even though that is not easy in today’s society, where everything and everyone is infected by the terrible disease called sin and a world of ever-changing morality and no standards, and where everything is open for change! There must be one unchangeable standard; “He guides me” The Psalmist says we have God to guide us.
In the Social Life – “In the presence of my enemies”
Enemies are inevitable in a person’s life, even Christ had enemies. You don’t have to be bad to have enemies!
Our Lord and Shepherd, helps us to properly deal with our enemies.
A successful Spiritual life and witnessing in today’s society is possible only if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, symbolized in Psalm 23 by the words: “You anoint my head with oil.”
The need of pleasure and social fellowship is understandable and natural for the physical man. But spiritual fellowship which comes through the new birth brings such a deep joy and pleasure to those who are not satisfied with the shallow and temporary thrills of the worldliness and the flesh.
That is why David says: “My cup overflows”
Satisfaction with what God gives is reflected by the happy Christian believer who has gratefully received the “Goodness and Love” which have and will follow him or her throughout life.
In Philippians 1:21 we read: “For to me, to live is Christ and to dies is gain.”
In the Crisis Life – “Through the valley of the shadow of death.” Death is the price that all man pay for the privilege of life. Life and death go together.
When we walk through this shadow and loved ones leave us, His comfort is with us, He has walked this way before us, and knows where He is leading us. We must “Fear not evil” if He is with us.
In John 14: 1 & 6 we read: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust also in me …. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Heaven is the place where our Lord is!
“The city does not need the Sun or the Moon shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Rev. 21:23
So, all we need, He IS and He Supplies.
All other possessions that have not come from Him, we neither need them nor should we ask for them.
Our Lord and Shepherd knows all our needs, and He will provide.