I Shall Not Want & The Reason Why Series

I Shall Not Want & The Reason Why

PPT 1 Series title

PPT 2-5 text & Pics

I have combined Normal Rockwell's 4 freedoms with Psalm 23 I think they are a nice fit for each other.

Freedom from hunger

Psalms 23:1 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Psalms 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

Freedom from worry

Psalms 23:3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name' sake.

Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Freedom to worship

Psalms 23:5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Freedom to speak

Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I believe Psalm 23 is unique among all the Psalms in that it rises above them all in confidence and faith. Though David mentions the shadow of death, there are no shadows of doubt in this psalm. Almost all the other psalms have cracks, and troubles sneaking their way in, and David has to fight through them for example in Psalm 3 we read this

PPT 6 text

Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, HOW they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

Psalms 3:2 Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God.

Psalms 3:3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

You see fear and faith battling together in this Psalm, and usually in the Psalms faith wins. But in Psalm 23 fear has been put to bed, it is defeated on every front, whether it be of provision of needs, emotional health, the enemies attacks, a need to sense the shepherds presence, or his future outlook.

This psalm make no mistake about it, was one of the best times in David's life. There are far more other times where he expresses sentiments like these:

PPT 7 text

Psalms 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Psalms 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

Psalms 13:1 ? To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.? How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

Now in truthfulness which Psalms do you relate to more?

In all honesty on any given day we could probably be found quoting or thinking either.

Today as we begin our series in this wonderful Psalm I want to address 2 simple thoughts that are expressed in this Psalm:

I shall not want, and the reason why.

Perhaps the most quoted Psalm of all.

People claim it who have no claim to it. Goats claim it regularly.

Jesus taught that repetition is of no value in prayer, yet that is the way this Psalm is used by many.

Quoting Psalm 23 won't get your dead kin into heaven.

That said, The psalm is full of eternal confidence. Faithful you have been, faithful you will be.

It is a good psalm to quote on the worst of days, to encourage yourself in the Lord. This psalm will pick you up on a bad day. It's a psalm to quote to a storm if you are facing one.

There are 2 main themes in this Psalm.

I shall not be in want is the main idea of the Psalm.

The basis of that confidence is the other.

I shall not want.

I shall not want for green pastures

I shall not want for still waters

He shall not leave my soul in tatters. I will not live in depression. My soul will be restored.

I shall not lack guidance for the right path. (Paths of righteousness)

I shall not live in fear of evil, people, things, or plans.

I shall not be overcome by fear in dark times.

I shall not have to live without a sense of Your presence. (Thou art with me)

I shall not want the sense of His rod and staff of protection. (The rod of His power)

I shall not want though surrounded by my enemies. My supplies of food and comfort shall be sure.

Psalm 23 reminds me of this passage in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 33:16 He will dwell on the heights; His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him; His water will be sure.