God, My Energizer!
Scripture Ref: Psalm 23
Additional References: The Bible Knowledge Commentary
1. Introduction
a. We have all seen the commercial featuring the “Energizer Bunny.” Remember, he keeps going, and going, and going. I sometimes think God must be powered by Energizer batteries because regardless of how much I use Him, he keeps on giving, and giving, and giving.
b. How often do you find yourself in the position where you have so much of everything that you can sit back and say, “Enough! I don’t need to work anymore?” I have all the food I could possibly ever want of need. I have more clothes than I know what to do with. My telephone, electric, water, sewage, and garbage bills are paid far enough in advance that they are covered until my dying day. I am rested and relaxed. No stress ever mars my day.
c. Charles R. Swindoll, in The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1,501 Other Stories, told such a story of Dwight L. Moody. He tells the story like this.
On one occasion, evangelist Dwight L. Moody had been the recipient of numerous benefits from the Lord. In his abundance, he was suddenly seized with the realization that his heavenly Father was showering on him almost more than he could take. Encouraged and overwhelmed, he paused to pray. With great volume he simply stated, “Stop, God!”
Now that’s spontaneous. It is also a beautiful change from, “Eternal, almighty, gracious Father of all good things, Thy hand hath abundantly and gloriously supplied our deepest needs. How blessed and thankful we are to come to Thee and declare unto Thee …” and on and on and on, grinding into snore city.
After I had told that story in one service, a fellow said to me, “I’ve got another one for God. God, start! I mean, He can stop on Moody, but I want Him to start with me, I need some of that.”
d. David tells us that we can be like that, to a point. It won’t be given to us all up front, and it requires some effort on our part. The effort, however, is a pleasure, as it requires only one thing—staying in the presence of God.
e. In the 23rd Psalm, David uses the imagery of God as a shepherd and a gracious host as he reflected on the many benefits the Lord gave him in the dangers of life.
2. The Lord as Leader (Verses 1-4)
a. In these verses, David shares four significant blessings we receive from God’s leadership.
b. Verse 1—The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
(1) At the very start, David establishes the relationship between Him and God. We share this same relationship.
(2) David used the figure of a shepherd to recall the blessings he enjoyed from the LORD. The metaphor was a natural one for David, who was a shepherd-king himself.
(3) Shepherd was a common metaphor in the ancient Near East, as many kings compared themselves to shepherds in their leadership capacity.
(4) Calling God a shepherd implied a close, personal relationship with Him.
(a) A shepherd always has the flock foremost in his mind.
(b) A shepherd loves and cares for his flock.
(c) A shepherd defends his flock and protects it from dangers.
(5) Because the Lord was David’s Shepherd, his needs were met. He knew that he would never want for anything because God would provide for him.
c. Verse 2a—He makes me lie down in green pastures,
(1) The first blessing David experienced was spiritual nourishment.
(2) Just as the shepherd leads his flock to fresh grass for feeding, so does the Lord.
(a) The green pastures David spoke provide implied two needs being met—rest and nourishment.
(b) Speaking figuratively, David tells us that God will do the same for us. He will give us rest and he will feed us with spiritual nourishment.
d. Verses 2b-3a—he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
(1) The second blessing David received from God was spiritual restoration.
(2) Just as the shepherd knows his sheep, God knows his flock. He knows the nature of each one.
(a) Sheep are stupid, stubborn, and easily frightened.
(b) If the shepherd took them to a raging stream to drink, the noise would so scare them they bolt and run.
(3) The good shepherd takes his sheep to a quiet, peaceful stream where the sheep can drink without being frightened. There they can experience rest and cleansing.
(4) The Lord does the same for us. He restores or refreshes our soul.
(5) Here the spiritual lesson is clear: the Lord provides forgiveness and peace for those who follow Him
e. Verse 3b—He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
(1) The third blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is guidance in the right way (paths of righteousness).
(2) A good shepherd knows which paths to use to bring his sheep home. He knows which ones are safe and which ones are dangerous, and he guides to the safe paths.
(3) When we are smart enough to follow, God does the same thing for us. He tells us what is safe and what is not. If we follow his direction, we too will make it safely home.
(4) He does this partly because of His reputation (for His name’s sake), but largely because He loves us so.
f. Verse 4—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.
(1) The fourth blessing from the Lord’s leading is protection.
(2) If we find ourselves in a valley of deep darkness (or shadow of death), we don’t have to be afraid. The Lord is with us and will protect us.
(3) The rod and staff are the shepherd’s equipment to protect the sheep in such situations.
(a) David was comforted by the Lord’s presence and protection.
(b) He knew God would use the rod to steer him in the right direction and would use the staff to snatch him from harm’s way when needed.
(c) We are never in situations the Lord is not aware of. Just as with David, He will never leave nor forsake us.
g. Read Footprints in the Sand, by Mary Stevenson
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you.”
3. The Lord as Provider (Verse 5)
a. Verse 5—You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
b. In this verse, David continues the theme of God’s blessings, but the scene changes to a great feast provided by God’s loving hand.
c. Using the picture of a great banquet, David rejoiced in God’s provision.
(1) What was comforting was that this was done in the presence of his enemies.
(2) It was almost like he was saying, “Relax. Even in the face of gravest danger, God will provide for you. You will be able to be nourished even though you are surrounded by your enemies.”
d. Despite impending danger, the Lord spread out a table for him. That is, God provided for him.
e. Despite impending danger, the Lord anointed his head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing.
f. In other words, when life seems to be at its worst, when nothing is going as we planned, when everything and everybody seems to be against us, God provides for us and He refreshes and calms us. He has so much to give us that our cup will overflow.
g. In view of the table and the oil David knew his destiny in life (his cup) was abundant blessing from the Lord. We have that same assurance. It is ours for the asking and for the keeping.
4. The Response of Faith (Verse 6)
a. Verse 6—Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
b. David realized that God’s good and loyal love would go with him everywhere through all his life.
c. God’s blessings on His people remain with them no matter what their circumstance may be, regardless of where they go. We can’t get away from them. We could, conceivably, be like Moody and have to ask God to stop.
d. Because of this, David decided he would remain in the house of God for the rest of his life. For the rest of his life he would enjoy full communion or fellowship with God.
e. The Hebrew verb translated “I will dwell” conveys the idea of returning or continuously coming back.
5. Summary
a. This Psalm teaches us some valuable lessons.
b. We must give in to God’s leadership, but that leadership is not a burden, rather it is a blessing. Actually, it results in four blessings: spiritual nourishment, spiritual restoration, guidance in the right way, and God’s protection.
c. If we rely on God in good times, as well as bad, He will bless us, even in the presence of our enemies.
d. If we remain in God’s presence, His love and kindness will be with us for the remainder of our life.
e. What wonderful promises. A minor investment on our part results in a huge return on his part!
6. Invitation
