PSALM 23
This is a bible study I done during lock down and shared on to a journaling group I belong to. This was a testing, scary, lonely and sad time for all of us. But one thing was certain. We had and have a God who remains the same and is calling us to allow him to be our shepherd through all seasons of life.
Psalm 23 NIV
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED
HE LETS ME REST IN GREEN MEADOWS
HE LEADS ME BESIDE PEACEFUL STREAMS
HE RENEWS MY STRENGTH
HE GUIDES ME ALONG RIGHT PATHS
BRINGING HONOUR TO HIS NAME
EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY
I WILL NOT BE AFRAID
FOR YOU ARE CLOSE BESIDE ME
YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF THEY COMFORT ME
YOU PREPARE A FEAST FOR ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES
YOU HONOUR ME BY ANOINTING MY HEAD WITH OIL
MY CUP OVERFLOWS WITH BLESSINGS
SURLY YOUR GOODNESS AND UNFAILING LOVE WILL PURSUE ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE
AND I WILL LIVE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER
AMEN
Psalm 23 TPT
THE LORD IS MY BEST FRIEND AND MY SHEPHERD I ALWAYS HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH
HE OFFERS A RESTING PLACE FOR ME IN HIS LUXURIOUS LOVE
HIS TRACKS TAKE ME TO AN OASIS OF PEACE THE QUIET BROOK OF BLISS
THAT IS WHERE HE RESTORES AND REVIVES MY LIFE
HE OPENS BEFORE ME PATHWAYS OF GODS PLEASURE
AND LEADS ME ALONG IN HIS FOOTSTEPS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
SO THAT I CAN BRING HONOUR TO HIS NAME
LORD EVEN WHEN YOUR VALLEY TAKES ME TO THE VALLEY OF DEEPEST DARKNESS
FEAR WILL NEVER CONQUER ME FOR YOU ALREADY HAVE
YOU REMAIN CLOSE TO ME AND LEAD ME THROUGH IT ALL THE WAY
YOUR AUTHORITY IS MY STRENGTH AND MY PEACE
THE COMFORT OF YOUR LOVE TAKES AWAY MY FEAR
I WILL NEVER BE LONELY FOR YOU ARE NEAR
YOU BECOME MY DELICIOUS FEAST
YOU ANOINT ME WITH THE FRAGRANCE OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT
YOU GIVE ME ALL I CAN DRINK OF YOU UNTIL MY HEART OVERFLOWS
SO WHY WOULD I FEAR THE FUTURE
FOR YOUR GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL PURSUE ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE
THEN AFTER WHEN MY LIFE IS THROUGH
I WILL RETURN TO YOUR GLORIOUS PRESENCE TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER
AMEN
THIS IS A PSALM OF HOPE AND LIFE
WE WERE CREATED TO BE DEPENDANT ON THE SHEPHERD
- JESUS WANTS A RELATIONSHIP WITH US
- JESUS IS OUR SUPPLY
- JESUS IS OUR REST
- JESUS IS OUR REFRESHMENT
- JESUS IS OUR HEALING
- JESUS IS OUR GUIDE
- JESUS IS OUR PURPOSE
- JESUS IS OUR TEACHER
- JESUS IS OUR PROTECTOR
- JESUS IS OUR FRIEND
- JESUS IS OUR DISCIPLINE
- JESUS IS OUR HOPE
- JESUS IS OUR ANOINTING
- JESUS IS OUR BLESSING AND ABUNDANCE
- JESUS IS OUR SECURITY
- JESUS IS OUR SHEPHERD AND WE ARE HIS
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED
WE ALL NEED A BEST FRIEND, SOMEONE WHO WILL SEE US THROUGH EVERYTHING, LISTEN TO US, COMFORT US THROUGH EVERY SEASON. JESUS IS THAT FRIEND !
I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED IS HARD TO DIGEST IN Difficult SEASONS
ITS EASIER TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE WANT RATHER THAN WHAT WE NEED
JESUS WANTS TO BE OUR SHEPHERD
HE WANTS US TO ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
THE ROLE OF THE SHEPHERD IS TO LEAD, FEED AND MEET THE NEEDS OF HIS SHEEP
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HIS SHEEP A SHEPHERD NEEDS TO DIRECT, COMFORT AND PROTECT HIS SHEEP
WE ARE THE SHEEP
WE WONDER OFF - WE CANNOT DEFEND OURSELVES IN DIFFICULT TIMES
WE CANT DO LIFE ON OUR OWN
JUST LIKE SHEEP, OUR LIFE AND WAY OF LIVING STINKS
WHEN DAVID WROTE THIS PSALM HE COMPARES THE SHEPHERD TO JESUS - A SHEPHERD WHO LEADS US HOME TO SAFETY
WE ALL NEED A SHEPHERD!
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED!
THE LORD IS OUR LEADER
THE LORD IS IN CONTROL
THIS IS A DECLARATION OF DEPENDANCE
JESUS WANTS TO BE OUR SHEPHERD
THIS HOWEVER HAS TO BE ON HIS TERMS- FOR OUR OWN BENEFITS
JESUS CAN SEE OUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF US AND HE KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD FOR US AND WHEN THE PERFECT TIMINGS WILL BE
THE LORD IS OUR PROVIDER AND OUR SUPPLY
IF WE HAVE JESUS WE HAVE ALL THAT WE WILL NEED AND WILL LACK FOR NOTHING
FAITH WILL BRING US THROUGH ALL SITUATIONS AND LIFE SEASONS
THE LORD IS OUR SOURCE OF EVERYTHING WE NEED TO LIVE
WE HAVE TO PUT OUR SECURITY INTO SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM US - JESUS !
THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD we read this in Romans 8:38
WE NEED TO LET THE SHEPHERD LEAD !
WORRY OR WORSHIP? WORRY WEIGHS US DOWN. WORSHIP RESTORES, FILLS AND LIFTS US UP.
LET THE SHEPHERD LEAD.....
I SHALL NOT WORRY!
WORRY IS A DOMINATOR
WHEN WE LET JESUS LEAD HE BECOMES THE DENOMINATED FORCE IN OUR LIFE
DO NOT WORRY
MATTHEW 26:25-26 That is why I tell you not to worry about every day life -whether you have enough food or drink or enough clothes to wear. Isn't your life worth more than food, your body more than clothing. Look at the birds, they dont plant or harvest or store food, for your heavenly father feeds them. And aren't you more valuable than they are?
MATTHEW 6:34 Don't worry about tomorrow.
PROVERBS 12:25 Worry weighs us down
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all that he has done.
PHILIPPIANS 4:19 And the same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus
WE HAVE 2 OPTIONS; PRAY OR WORRY!
WORRY WILL CHANGE NOTHING!
PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!
WE NEED TO GO TO GOD IN PRAYER FIRST - HE WILL PROVIDE US WITH AN EARTHLY SOURCE FOR ALL OUR NEEDS AND SPIRITUAL SOURCE FOR ALL OUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS
HE LETS ME REST IN GREEN MEADOWS HE LEADS ME BESIDE PEACEFUL STREAMS
GOD CONSIDERS REST AS IMPORTANT AS WORK
GOD SMILES ON US WHEN WE REST
JUST AS WE WOULD LOOK AT OUR OWN CHILD AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN WE PUT THEM TO BED, THINKING ABOUT THE DAY AND HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM AND HOW REFRESHED THEY WILL FEEL IN THE MORNING
THAT IS HOW GOD SEES US WHEN WE REST
EXIDOUS 31:17 - ON THE 7TH DAY THE LORD RESTED AND WAS REFRESHED
HE OFFERS A RESTING PLACE FOR ME IN HIS LUXURIOUS LOVE HIS TRACKS TAKE ME TO AN OASIS OF PEACE
REST - REFRESH - RESTORE
PRAY THAT GOD GIVES YOU A DESIRE TO REST IN HIM SO HE CAN RESTORE AND REFRESH YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT
HAVE WE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT TASTES LIKE TO REST WITH GOD?
PSALM 4:8 - IN PEACE I WILL LIE DOWN AND SLEEP, FOR YOU ALONE LORD MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY
JESUS IS CALLING US, GUIDING US TO STREAMS OF LIVING WATER
WE ARE LIKE SHEEP THAT DO NOT LIKE CHANGE, DO NOT LIKE REST. BUT IF WE CAN ADOPT AND ADAPT TO CHANGE IT BECOMES OUR NORMAL
WE ADOPT CHANGE WHEN WE ALLOW JESUS TO BECOME OUR SHEPHERD
WE ADAPT AS WE FOLLOW HIM....
REFRESHMENT REQUIRES CHANGE!
EXIDOS 20:9-10 - SIX DAYS YOU SHALL LABOUR AND DO ALL YOUR WORK BUT THE 7TH DAY IS A SABBATH TO THE LORD YOUR GOD
3 THINGS TO DO ON A SABBATH
WHEN IS YOUR SABBATH?
HE RENEWS MY SOUL AND GUIDES ME ALONG RIGHT PATHS
GOD IS THE SAME THROUGH ALL SEASONS
THERE IS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY IN THE WORLD. WAR, GREED AND HURT. WE ALL FACE DIFFICULT SEASONS.
HOW GRATEFUL ARE WE THAT WE HAVE A GOD WHO FILLS US WITH STRENGTH.
WE MAY GET TIRED BUT GOD NEVER GETS TIRED
WE DON'T NEED TO DO LIFE ON OUR OWN OR IN OUR OWN STRENGTH
WE NEED ONLY LISTEN TO GODS VOICE AND FOLLOW HIM
HE WILL BE OUR STRENGTH
HE WILL GUIDE US THROUGH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD TO ENJOY LIFE
EVEN IN THE DARKEST SEASONS WE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING TO THANK GOD FOR AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING!
JESUS GUIDES US FROM ONE SEASON TO THE NEXT
WHO IS YOUR SHEPHERD, WHO'S VOICE DO YOU FOLLOW, WHO GUIDES YOU ?
LET JESUS GUIDE YOU THROUGH ALL SEASONS OF LIFE
DO NOT RUSH EACH SEASON
WHEN WE ARE LEFT TO GUIDE OUR OWN PATHS AND LIVES WE MAKE WRONGT CHOICES - WE TRAVEL IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL WANTS TOP LEAD US DOWN WRONG PATHS
SOMETIMES WE NEED TO STAY IN A SEASON TO LEARN AND PROCESS WHAT GOD WANTS US TO KNOW AND LEARN
SOMETIMES WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE NEXT SEASON - AND THEN WE LOOSE WHAT WE COULD GET OUT OF THE SEASON OF LIFE WE ARE CURRENTLY IN
PROVERBS 11:14 - WHERE THERE IS NO GUIDANCE A PEOPLE FALLS BUT IN AN ABUNDANCE OF COUNSELORS THERE IS SAFETY
LET GOD BE YOUR COUNSELOR
PSALM 119:105
YOUR LIGHT GUIDES ME
YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET
AND A LIGHT TO MY PATH
THE MORE WE HAVE GODS WORD IN OUR HEART;
- THE MORE WE HAVE GODS WORD IN OUR LIVES
- THE GREATER THE LIGHT
- THE GREATER THE ILLUMINATION FOR YOUR PATH !
FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD
JESUS SAID "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
JOHN 8:12
EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY...
EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY
I WILL NOT BE AFRAID
FOR YOU ARE CLOSE BESIDE ME
LORD EVEN WHEN YOUR PATH TAKES ME THROUGH THE VALLEY OF DEEPEST DARKNESS
FEAR WILL NEVER CONQUER ME FOR YOU ALREADY HAVE
YOU REMAIN CLOSE TO ME AND LEAD ME ALL THE WAY
THROUGH IS NOT PERMANENT IT IS TEMPORARY!
WE ARE PASSING THROUGH A SEASON OF DARKNESS
WE WILL COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE
GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR OUR VALLEYS!
GOD DEVELOP US IN OUR VALLEYS SO WE CAN HELP OTHERS
PAIN IS A GREAT TEACHER
PAIN HELPS US TO RELY ON GOD
GOD IS BUILDING OUR CHARACTER THROUGH OUR VALLEYS
ROMANS 5:3-5 But that is not all! Even in times of trouble, we have a joyful confidence; knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character - and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!
SUFFERING PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE
PERSEVERANCE PRODUCES CHARACTER
CHARACTER PRODUCES HOPE
PSALM 119:105
THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET
AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH
WHERE THERE IS A SHADOW OR A VALLEY
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE LIGHT
KEEP FOLLOWING AND FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT
GOD MAY BE SILENT AT TIMES - BUT HE IS NEVER ABSENT
GOD IS WITH US IN THE VALLEY
YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF THEY COMFORT ME
THESE ARE VERSES OF COMFORT -CORRECTION AND DIRECTION
ROD - POINTS SHEEP IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION - AN INSTRUMENT OF PROTECTION
STAFF - PROTECTION -TO HOOK THE SHEEP BACK TO THE SHEPHERD
WE ALL WONDER OFF AT TIMES AND STRAY TOWARDS DANGER
GOD LOVES US SO MUCH - HE WANTS TO KEEP GUIDING US ALONG RIGHT PATHS
HE WANTS TO DIRECT AND PROTECT US
IF I CHOOSE TO FOLLOW GOD HE WILL FOLLOW ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION - HE WILL USE HIS ROD TO GUIDE ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
IF I WONDER OFF THE LORD FINDS ME AND BRINGS ME HOME - HE HOOKS US WITH HIS STAFF AND BRINGS US HOME
THE GOOD SHEPHERD KNOWS MORE ABOUT OUR LIVES THAN WE DO
HE CREATED US!
MATTHEW 18:12 JESUS LEAVES THE 99 TO LOOK FOR THE 1
EVERY SHEEP MATTERS
WE ALL MATTER TO GOD
ISAIAH 53:6 WE ARE LIKE SHEEP WHO HAVE WONDERED OFF AND GOTTEN LOST
IF WE DON'T HAVE A SHEPHERD TO GUIDE US WE ALL WONDER OFF AND HAVE NO ONE TO GUIDE US BACK HOME
ALL SHEEP NEED TO KNOW THE LOVE OF A SHEPHERD
WE ALL NEED TO KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD !
PSALM 119:67 I USED TO WONDER OFF UNTILL YOU DISCIPLINED ME
BUT NOW I CLOSELY FOLLOW YOUR WORD
BEFORE I WAS AFFLICTED I WENT ASTRAY
BUT NOW I KEEP YOUR WORD
GOD DISCIPLINES US BECAUSE HE LOVES US
AS UNDISCIPLINED CHILD IS AN UNLOVED CHILD
GOD WANTS US TO BE DISCIAPLINED SO HE CAN KEEP US SAFE
WHEN WE WONDER OF AND FEEL FAR FROM GOD WHAT CAN WE DO ?
- READ OUR BIBLE
- WATCH OR LISTEN TO A SERMON
- LISTEN TO WORSHIP SONGS
- PRAY
- TALK TO CHURCH FAMILY
GOD WILL GUIDE YOU BACK TO RIGHT PATHS
BACK TO FOLLOWING HIM
BACK TO THE GREEN PASTURES WHERE HE CAN RESTORE AND STRENGTHEN YOU
HOW DOES GOD CORRECT US?
GODS CORRECTION IS DONE IN LOVE TO PREPARE US FOR OUR FUTURE
PUNISHMENT IS DONE IN ANGER - GOD NEVER PUNISHES US -HE CORRECTS AND GUIDES US
OUR PUNISHMENT WAS LAID ON THE BODY OF JESUS AT THE CROSS
IF GOD WANTED TO PUNISH US FOR OUR SINS - THE DEATH OF JESUS WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR NOTHING, BUT......
JESUS WAS THE NEW COVENANT
ALL SINS FOREVER WERE LAID ON HIS BODY
ALL SINS! - PAST - PRESENT - AND FUTURE
JESUS TOOK OUR PUNISHMENT
THROUGH HIS WOUNDS WE ARE MADE WHOLE
GRACE IS WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN !
THE ROD AND STAFF ARE GODS TOOLS TO GUIDE AND DIRECT US ALONG HIS PATH
ALONG PATHS OF DISCIPLINE WHERE WE CAN BETTER GROW AND FLOURISH ON OUR JOURNEY WITH HIM
TOOLS THAT WHEN WE HAVE WONDERED AWAY FROM HIM AND ARE FEELING LOST GOD CAN BRING US BACK TO HIM
LET GOD USE HIS STAFF TO DRAW YOU CLOSER TO HIM
BACK TO HIS OASIS OF PEACE
THEW QUIET BROOK OF BLISS WHERE HE CAN RESTORE YOUR SOUL
LET GOD DRAW YOU CLOSE TO HIM
REST IN HIS PEACE TODAY
GOD WILL LEAVE THE OTHER SHEEP TO COME AND FIND YOU
AND HE WILL DIRECT YOU BACK TO PEACEFUL STREAMS WHERE HE CAN RENEW YOUR STRENGTH
YOU BECOME MY DELICIOUS FEAST EVEN WHEN MY ENEMIES DARE TO FIGHT
ITS SO IMPORTANT TO FEED OUR SELVES SPIRITUALLY!
IF WE WERE TO MISS OUT ON MEALS EVERYDAY
ON WATER EVERYDAY
WE WOULD SOON BECOME PHYSICALLY WEAK AND UNWELL
IF WE MISS OUT ON GODS WORD EVERY DAY WE WILL BECOME SPIRITUALLY WEAK
FEAST ON GODS WORD
I JOHN 4:18 - THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. BUT PREFECT LOVE DRIVES OUT FEAR
JEREMIAH 31:3 -THE LORD APPEARED TO US IN THE PAST SAYING " I HAVE LOVED YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE; I HAVE DRAWN YOU WITH UNFAILING KINDNESS
PSALM 136:26 - GIVE THANKS TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN. HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER
FEAST ON THE WORDS OF EPHESIANS 1
IN CHRIST YOU ARE ;
CHOSEN
HOLY
BLAMELESS
ADOPTED
FORGIVEN
BLESSED
LOVED
REDEEMED
YOU ARE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
THERES A TABLE THAT YOU PREPARED FOR ME
IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES
ITS YOUR BODY AND YOUR BLOOD YOU SHED FOR ME
THIS IS HOW I FIGHT MY BATTLES.....
IN THE VALLEY I KNOW THAT YOUR WITH ME
SURLY YOUR GOODNESS AND MERCY FOLLOWS ME
MY WEAPON ARE PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
THIS IS HOW I FIGHT MY BATTLES....
I BELIEVE YOU'VE OVERCOME
AND I WILL LIFT MY SONG OF PRAISE FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE
TAKE COMMUNION AT HOME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OR ON YOUR OWN
JOHN 36:35 - JESUS REPLIED " I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
WHOEVER COMES TO ME WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY AGAIN
WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY"
MATTHEW 26:26-27 - AS THEY ATE JESUS TOOK THE BREAD AND BLESSED IT
BROKE IT AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES
HE SAID TO THEM " THIS IS MY BODY, EAT IT"
THEN TAKING THE CUP OF WINE AND GIVING PRAISES TO THE FATHER, HE ENTERED INTO A COVENANT WITH THEM...
YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL
YOUR OIL AND FRAGRANCE ARE MY PROTECTION AND YOUR LOVE SURROUNDING ME
A SHEPHERD WILL POUR OILS OVER ITS SHEEPS HEAD, EARS AND NOSE TO PROTECT IT FROM MITES - TO PROTECT IT FROM HARM AND DANGER
SO WHEN GOD ANOINTS US WITH OIL HE IS PROTECTING US WITH THE FRAGRANCE AND PROTECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WE ARE BLESSED BECAUSE GOD ANOINTS US WITH HIS LOVE AND PROTECTION BECAUSE HE LOVES AND CARES FOR US
EVEN IN DIFFICULT DAYS WE ARE STILL BLESSED AND WE ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR
THE ANOINTING OIL FROM GOD FORMS A BARRIER PROTECTING US EVIL THAT TRY TO DESTROY OUR RELATION WITH GOD
ASK GOD TO ANOINT YOUR HEAD WITH OIL - HE HAS AN ENDLESS SUPPLY
HIS OIL MAKES IT POSSIBLE FIR YOU TO FIX YOUR HEART - MIND AND HEART ON HIM
THEN OUR CUP OVERFLOWS WITH BLESSINGS
GOD IS GOOD AND HE IS FAITHFUL!
MY CUP OVERFLOWS WITH BLESSINGS
LOVE
FOOD
HOME
HEATING
WATER
FRIENDS
FAMILY
NEIGHBOURS
TECHNOLOGY
MEDICINE
KINDNESS
COMPASSION
FREEDOM
FREEDOM TO READ THE BIBLE?
WHAT BLESSINGS IS YOUR CUP OVERFLOWING WITH?