Posted on 01/25/2008 10:23:48 AM PST by WileyPink
Psalms 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Breakthrough in Confidence
The level of confidence we place in someone or something has a great impact on the way we live our life. After three days of flying and overnights in airports, I arrived at my final destination in eastern Siberia. A bus carried me from the plane to the airport terminal at which time I was greeted by a large Russian man pretending to shoot a gun. I quickly remembered the missionary’s last statement by way of e-mail, “Someone will pick you up at the airport.”
I was confident the missionary would make arrangements for travel, but the man that stood before me just did not fit the mold. Finally, after saying no to multiple taxi drivers, a young couple approached me as they stated the missionary’s name and their purpose. In order to get to my final destination for the mission trip, I had to be confident in someone to make the necessary travel arrangements.
We are constantly in pursuit of people and things on which we can rely. The driver of an automobile turns the key confident that the proper amount of power will be sent to start the engine. Investors place their confidence on a certain stock or fund. An employer leaves town on a trip confident that his or her employees will take care of everything. A husband and wife have confidence in each other as they build a life together.
People must realize that many of the things we place our confidence in could indeed let us down. The car may not start, the stock price may plummet, the office staff may play while the boss is away, and a husband or wife may do something that disappoints their spouse. Consider the question, “What have I placed my confidence in and what is going to happen if it lets me down?”
In today’s world, people are in need of someone they can place their confidence in. God’s word teaches in Psalm 23 that we are to be confident in Him as the One that will provide for all that we need and will never let us down.
Psalm 23:1 (NASB) says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” People tend to allow their wants and desires to determine what they place their confidence in. Fields of study, career paths, relationships, and hobbies often become a source of confidence for the individual that has worked hard for something to rely upon. All of these can be confidence boosters, but David writes about a confidence in God that far surpasses everything else.
David paints the picture of the shepherd tending the flock to illustrate God’s care over His children. Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” The shepherd sought out the finest pastures and purest water for his sheep. Scripture encourages us to walk in the confidence that God wants the best for His children.
God will provide the best employment opportunities for us, the best ministers, and the most loving spouse as we place our confidence in Him.
Psalm 23:3 says, “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Our confidence in God should speak of the restoration we have in Him. God takes us from the path of our own ways and makes us righteous according to His guiding love.
Verse 4 describes the valley experiences that David had in his life. Today, we can find ourselves in the valley which is often accompanied by the fear and anxiety of life’s situations. Although the valley may seem difficult and treacherous, we are provided with the comfort that God will lead us through that tough situation in life. You may be facing what seems to be an impossible situation, but you can have confidence that God will carry you through it according to His plan.
Verse 5 speaks of the abundant blessings in David’s life although there were many times he faced horrible enemies and tough situations. Our confidence must rest in the One that can handle anything we face.
Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” God’s word encourages Christians to walk confidently in Him every day of life, with our hope fixed on spending eternity with Him. May our confidence be firmly established in the Lord that will never let us down!
Andy Vaughn is pastor of First Church, Fulton, MS.
Please let me know if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list.
In Christ...Alone!
Did this just start? I’ve never seen it before.
Anyway, please add me to your list. Thank you!
Easier said then done, but so true.
Anyway, please add me to your list. Thank you!
Well, I just recently started posting the "Bible Studies for Life" Series. I have been posting the "Exploring the Bible" Series since last Resurrection Day.
I will be honored to add you to the list, with one condition...
Please pray that God's will be done through this study and that everything done here will honor and glorify Him. :-))
You're there, thanks. They are normally posted on Fridays of each week to give you time to study for Sunday's lesson or just for general discussion.
In Christ...Alone!
Durn Wiley you start a new study and then you do it early
I still do the ETB so I probably won’t get much to help me with my young adult class but I will continue to read.
thanks
Wiley, I will definitely pray as you’ve asked, and will look forward to them each week.
I enjoy these - please keep me on the list!
Saturday Evening Bump
That is the reason this is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.
It surely gives me comfort.
Thank you, Wiley!
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
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