Doing the Right Thing Psalm 23:1-3NLT
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 23 is probably the best known passage of the OT. It is a testimony by David to the Lord’s faithfulness throughout his life. It pictures the Lord as a disciple’s Shepherd-King-Host.
Listen to verse 3 again, from the Message Bible, True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Notice the ending of verse 3, He sends me in the right direction!
George Washington said, “Few men have enough virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”
Even though the Lord leads, it’s not easy to go in the right direction when.
1. It will cost you.
Romans 12:1TM So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
A living sacrifice- sounds like an oxymoron, kind of like jumbo shrimp! Most men understand the idea of giving an offering of money at church. We put our money or our check in an envelope and drop it in the plate. However, we still need help with the idea of offering ourselves to God.
After all, we can’t put ourselves in an envelope. Also remember, a living sacrifice is a lot different than a dead one.
Consider the aged pastor of a small church, who was asked to resign because there had been no conversions in the church for an entire year. The old pastor said, “it’s been a lean year; however, don’t forget about Bobby!” The elders had forgotten about this lad who had not only gotten saved, but had given himself in full consecration to God. It was Bobby who, in a missionary meeting when the plate came by ask the usher to place the plate on the floor and he placed his two feet inside, and he shouted, “I give myself,’ I have nothing else to give!” Bobby became the world-renowned Robert Moffat, who, with David Livingstone, gave his life to healing the open sores of the continent of Africa.
Question: What is your offering?
2. It’s not easy to do the right thing, when the wrong thing is more expedient, convenient and practical.
You’ll hear voices saying, “Just come on and do it,’ no one will see the short cut!”
THE CHOICES WE MAKE: Every single day we make choices that show whether we are courageous or cowardly. We choose between the right thing and the convenient thing, sticking to a conviction or caving in for the sake of comfort, greed or approval. We choose either to take a carefully thought-out risk or to crawl into a shrinking shell of safety, security and inactivity. We choose either to believe in God and trust him, even when we do not always understand his ways, or to second-guess him and cower in the corners of doubt and fear. (Bill Hybels)
It’s not easy to do the right thing, When no one but you will know.
It’s in those moments that your character becomes strong.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Cowardice asks: is it safe? Consensus asks: “Is it popular? Character asks: is it right?”
I love this true story: During the final play-off of the U.S. Open, Bobby Jones’ ball ended up in the rough just off the fairway. As he set up to play his shot, he accidentally moved his ball. He immediately turned to the marshals and announced a foul. The marshals hadn’t seen the ball move; neither had anyone in the gallery. So they left it up to Jones whether to take a penalty stroke. He did. Latter when someone commended him for his integrity, Jones replied, “Do you commend a bank robber for not robbing a bank? No, you don’t. This is how the game of golf should be played at all times.” Jones lost the match that day by one stroke, but he maintained his integrity. His character was so well-known that the United States Golf Association’s sportsmanship award came to be named The Bob Jones Award.
Psalm 23:3Amp. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
Remember this, “Your eulogy is being preached as I speak. ‘Will the person officiating your funeral be able to say, ‘He or she lived a life similar to Jesus Christ?”
Psalm 23:1TM God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
“It’s time to place Christ on the throne and your sins on the cross!” P.H.
Proverbs 3:1-8NLT My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
Psalm 23:2TM You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
“Think for a minute, a place to rest in total peace, soft and total comfort. Quiet pools, a perfect reflection of yourself, not a sound, just yourself and your God.” P.H.
That’s what the Lord promises!
Benediction.
