Face The Future With Joyful Confidence

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23, ESV).

Will 2023 be happy for us?

There are those who are optimistic that lot of good things could happen this new year. But there are also those who said that if bad things happened in 2020, 2021 and 2022, worse could happen in 2023!

Let’s consider what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”

However, whether events or attitude of people in this world “will go from bad to worse (verse 13),” God’s people can still face the coming days without fear.

In fact, they can… FACE THE FUTURE WITH JOYFUL CONFIDENCE, as we discuss this time our text (Psalm 23).

So, why face the future with such confidence? Why face 2023 with feeling or belief that good things will happen? Why face the coming days, not with apprehension but with joyful heart?

Realize that Psalm 23 was written by David. We know that he was a shepherd. He defeated Goliath. Though he was anointed to become a king, but first for a long time he was hunted like a criminal. When he became the king, he committed adultery and murdered the husband of the woman. His son, Absalom, rebelled against him. He was cursed and dishonored by Shimei.

And yet in verse 6 of Psalm 23, he declared: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” Could we also utter the

same words? Why? Because of…

I – WHAT GOD HAS MADE HIMSELF KNOWN (verses 1, 3 and 4).

We read verses 1, 3, and part of verse 4, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…” “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake…” “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;…”

Notice that God reveals Himself, as the Shepherd of David. For David, God is not just “the” Shepherd; God is not “their” Shepherd,” or even “our” Shepherd. But, God is “my” Shepherd – God and David have an intimate relationship with each other. They know each other closely. They have a close personal relationship.

During those times, the quality of a king is associated with a shepherd. So, God reveals Himself as King of David. And David could mean also, “The Lord is MY King…” His Sovereign Protector.

Also, notice the words that David declared in verse 3, “…for His name’s sake.” God, who is His Shepherd or King, is giving him favor, e.g. leading in the way that is right, not because of his own merit, but for the sake of God Himself. In other words, the favor that David enjoyed was based on the goodness, on the grace, on the mercy of God alone. God reveals Himself that He could extend favor on David based on God’s own Name or Glory.

Also, David said, “…for you are with me.” God made Himself known that He is always with David. He is with David, not only when he is in green pastures. But also when David is going through difficulty or even dangerous situation.

Even today, God made Himself known that He the Shepherd or King of every Christian. A true believer, like David, could sincerely say, “The Lord or God is my Shepherd, or my King…”

Today, God made Himself known that He bestows favor or blessing based not on our own merit, but for His own Glory.

God made Himself known that He is always with His children, no matter what. Whether we are in pleasure, or in pain, He is with us.

Jesus said in His prayer in the first part of verse 6 of John 17, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world…” In the first part also of verse 26, “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known…”

Now, the question for us here: Did Jesus made known His Father to us?

As a believer, do you really know that God is your Personal Shepherd or King? Do you really know that He grants you good things not based on your goodness or good things you have done, but because He is a Good God? Do you really know that He is always with you, whether you are rejoicing or suffering?