Trust Series

INTRODUCTION

• Today we begin a short series on the beautiful Psalm 23.

• Psalm 23 is one of the better-known Psalms.

• We probably hear this Psalm the most at funerals; we seek to comfort those who have lost loved ones.

• Psalm 23 has so much more to offer than comfort over the loss of a loved one.

• Psalm 23 is a personal confession of love and gratitude from one human soul to God.

• It is a portrait of a God who is astonishingly intimate, kind, protective, and generous with us.

• The message it offers, the golden key it holds out to us, is this: we are invited to live securely in God’s love and care for us.

• We are sheep—not very strong, not very wise, and very much in need of help and guidance.

• God is a good Shepherd.

• God tends to us, cares for us, plans for us, provides for us, protects us, guides us, and stays close to us.

• In life and in death, we can come to know that all is well because God, our good Shepherd, is with us.

• Our part is to remember who we are and who God is.

• Our part is to rest in God’s unfailing love, to follow God’s faithful guidance, and to allow ourselves to receive our good Shepherd’s personal care for us. The 23rd Psalm: The Lord, Our Shepherd: 9 Studies for Individuals or Groups: With Notes for Leaders

• This series will focus on different aspects of God as the Shepherd of our lives and our calling to give ourselves over into his complete care.

• In life, we have to decide who we will trust.

• We cannot have a relationship with someone we do not trust.

• We cannot go at life alone; we cannot enter into eternity on our own.

• What kind of life do you want to live?

• I see so many lives ruined because they tried to go it alone, and their lives are full of bad decisions that lead to their eventual ruin.

• What kind of life do you want to have?

• Psalm 23 pictures life as deeply secure and richly blessed.

• It offers us a panorama of what life can be like when lived with an awareness of God’s intimate love for us.

• This picture of life lived in God’s care touches our deepest longings and speaks directly to our darkest fears.

• Perhaps that is why we return to this psalm over and over again.

• Let’s read Psalm 23.

• Today we will focus only on verse 1.

Psalm 23:1–6 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2 He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.

3 He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.

4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.

5 You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.

6 Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the LORD’s house for the rest of my life.

SERMON

I. The Lord.

• Today we will focus only on verse 1.

• David brings this beautiful Psalm with the words THE LORD!

• David is likely old when he writes this Psalm.

• David is in a time of peace; the wars have been fought, the rebellions have been put down, Goliath had been slain, and the bear and the lion defeated.

• David defeated Goliath with a sling and five smooth stones.

• David defeated a bear and a lion before defeating Goliath.

• As David reflects on his life, because of his life experience, he can place his trust and focus on the Lord.

• David was humble enough to understand that his victories came from the Lord.

• Who do you trust in life and with your life?

• When David ponders this question, his answer is simple, the LORD!

• The Lord is the one.

• David is overjoyed with his relationship with God as he pours out his heart in this Psalm.

• In Psalm 22, David is crying out to God.

Psalm 22:1 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I groan in prayer, but help seems far away.

Psalms, Volume 1 (B. Yahweh’s Gracious Care (23:1–6))

It is not without significance that Psalms 22 and 23 are placed in juxtaposition. In the former there is the agony and distress of one who feels abandoned by the Lord; in the latter the joy and confidence of one who lives daily in God’s fellowship.