Salmos 23

Salmos 23

Morgan - Misplaced Buts Robert C. McQuilkin established a great Bible conference in Asheville, North Carolina, called Ben Lippen, and years later Vance Havner preached there. Both men came away with the same lesson from Psalm 23:1. In the early days of Ben Lippen, McQuilkin gave a breakfast devotion one morning, saying: “Is the Lord meeting all your needs or isn’t he? Now, most Christians will say, ‘Why certainly the Lord is meeting all my needs, but … ’—and then follow that ‘but’ with all the things that are troubling them. ‘The Lord is my Shepherd, but I have not a gift for personal work. The Lord is my Shepherd, but I don’t have a job. The Lord is my Shepherd, but my child is sick.’ You see? You have the but in the wrong place. And so I would say, ‘We have tremendous deficits, but the Lord is my Shepherd. I’m not very strong, but the Lord is my Shepherd. I’m all confused, but the Lord is my Shepherd. … ” ’ Years later, evangelist Vance Havner came to preach at Ben Lippen. He was worried about his wife, Sara, who had contracted a rare and deadly disease. Her life was ebbing away, and doubt and dread overwhelmed him. While there he began thinking of Psalm 23. The Lord impressed him that he was acting more like a billy goat than a sheep—always butting. “Yes, I know that the Lord is my Shepherd BUT … I’m growing old and who is going to care for me? What if I get sick and my helpmeet cannot come to my aid?” Havner climbed the nearby mountaintop to pray, and there the Lord restored his soul. Surely He who has brought me through nearly seventy-two years of dangers, toils, and snares will see that I finish the journey. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me the rest of the way and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. “Lord,” he said, “help me be a lamb and not a billy goat!” (BORROW From This Verse) Henry Blackaby - Better than Lions The LORD is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 According to the Scriptures, it’s better to be a sheep than a lion. Lions are fierce and strong; sheep are weak and defenseless, but they don’t have to fear for their safety. Lions are mighty hunters, yet it is the sheep that doesn’t go hungry. That’s because the sheep has something the lion doesn’t have—a shepherd. The lion must depend upon its own strength and cunning; the sheep belongs to one who will lay down his very life for its safety. Psalm 34:10 observes: “The lions may grow weak and hungry, / but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” In other words, even the strongest, most ambitious people may not always have all they need, but those who trust God to provide for them will have all their needs met and more. God himself is the greatest security you have. No enemy can succeed against you when you are under God’s care. You will never lose your way in life when God is the one guiding you. No crisis you face will be too difficult for God to overcome. It’s all a matter of where you put your trust. Have you put your trust in prayer instead of putting it in God? Is your faith based on your religion? Do you put your faith in other Christians? Your church? These things are all part of your Christian life, but your ultimate trust should be in your Shepherd. God is the only one you can always depend on to meet your needs. If you wander away from your Shepherd, you will miss out on what the Shepherd wants to give you. Even then, however, he will not abandon you (see Psalm 139:7–12). He is your Shepherd by choice—his choice (John 15:16) as well as yours (John 14:15). If you have drifted away from the Shepherd, he urges you to return to him today (Matthew 11:28–30). Under his care, you will find strength, purpose, and security. (BORROW The Experience) James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - THE ALMIGHTY SHEPHERD “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1). This is a fountain of Living Water, an unfailing star in the night of sorrow and suffering. Look at it as the language of— I. Real Confession. The Lord is my Shepherd, because I have taken my place at His feet as a sheep— 1. Acknowledging my ignorance—“Mind blinded.” 2. Acknowledging my waywardness—“Gone astray.” 3. Acknowledging my helplessness—“Undone.” 4. Acknowledging my dependence—“I will trust.” II. Peaceful Assurance. “The Lord is my Shepherd.” He is mine— 1. Because He hath purchased me with His blood. 2. Because He hath led me by His Spirit. 3. Because He hath fed me by His Word. 4. Because He hath kept me by His power. III. Unwavering Confidence. “I shall not want.” I shall not want whatever He thinks shall be for my highest good and His glory— 1. Because His riches are unsearchable. 2. Because His power is almighty. 3. Because His faithfulness is unfailing. 4. Because His love is unchanging. James Smith - THE ALMIGHTY SHEPHERD PSALM 23 Among all the Psalms, the twenty-third is the “pet lamb” of the flock to many. Beecher called it the “Nightingale Psalm, small, and of a homely feather, singing shyly out of obscurity; but, oh! it has filled the air of the whole world with melodious joy.” After the Psalm of the Cross comes the Psalm of Life, and fullness of blessing. The path of this pilgrim is like the shining light that shineth more and more till the day of perfection. Let us follow him step by step. There was— I. Decision. “The Lord is my Shepherd.” His personal choice was made as to whom he would follow. He would not follow his own heart nor the blind reasonings of men; he would claim Jehovah as his Saviour and Guide and not be ashamed to say so. II. Assurance. “I shall not want.” The godless, although strong as young lions, do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good. “My God shall supply all your need.” He has his Shepherd’s promise, and he believes it. III. Rest. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, and beside the waters of rest” (margin). The rest of faith in the Lord is a rest that is calm and refreshing. He does not say “rest,” without leading into the best place where it can be found—in His love—green pastures. IV. Restoration. “He restoreth my soul.” If through self-confidence, or discontent, we should stray from His paths of greenness, He is gracious enough to forgive and restore. He, only, can restore the backsliding soul (1 John 1:1). V. Guidance. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.” The paths that are right may not always be the paths that seem easiest. Bunyan’s pilgrims found it “easy going” over the stile which led to the castle of Giant Despair. His leading is for His own Name’s sake. VI. Courage. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” The shadow of death is a dreadful thing to the man whose portion is in this life. But there is no evil to fear when the Shepherd is near (Isa. 43:2). VII. Fellowship. “Thou art with me.” The heavenly pilgrim is always in good company. The Lord stands by when all men forsakes (2 Tim. 4:16, 17). His presence is always sufficient at all times. VIII. Comfort. “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” The club and the crook of the shepherd were the instruments of defence and deliverance. What they were to the sheep, the Word of the Lord is to us. It is a club to beat off our enemies, and a crook to guide or lift those who have fallen into a pit or ditch. The sword of the Spirit doth comfort me. IX. Provision. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” He knows when and how to feed His flock. We have a meat to eat that they know not of. X. Enduement. “Thou anointest my head.” This anointing, or unction from the Holy One, is significant of authority and power. Kings and priests were anointed. Ye are a kingdom of priests unto God (Acts 1:8). XI. Satisfaction. “My cup runneth over.” The God of grace gives good measure, pressed down, shaken together, heaped up, running over. The holy anointing must go before the overflowing (see John 7:37, 38). XII. Prospect. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me … and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Goodness to supply, and mercy to forgive, all the days of this life; and a mansion is prepared beyond this life, where we shall be for ever with the Lord (John 14:1–3). Psalm 23, Antithesis by Marcia Kay Hornok The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest. It makes me lie down only when exhausted. It leads me to deep depression. It hounds my soul. It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake. Even though I run frantically from task to task, I will never get it all done, For my "ideal" is with me. Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me. They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule. They anoint my head with migraines. My in-basket overflows. Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever. James Smith - PSALM 23. Beneath me, “green pastures.” Beside me, “still waters.” With me, “my Shepherd.” Before me, “a table.” Around me, “mine enemies.” Upon me, “anointing.” After me, “goodness and mercy.” Beyond me, “The house of the Lord.”—Selected. Elmer Towns - Psalm 23: Green Pastures and Still Waters A. INTRODUCTION 1. What are our two greatest needs? a. Food, i.e., green pastures. b. Drink, i.e., still waters. 2. How can the Shepherd meet our needs? Relationship. B. LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES 1. Why do sheep lie down? a. Natural. Standing people naturally want to lie down. b. Tired. The Lord gives us rest in green pastures. c. Sleep. We need rest to replenish our strength. d. Hide. Sheep want to hide from danger. e. Stop working. When we lie down, we stop working. f. To be in His presence. Sometimes we want to be near the one we love. 2. Why does our Shepherd choose green pastures? a. Chosen pastures. The original language suggests “choice pastures.” (1) Why not the pastures of another? Best for our need. (2) Why not the pastures of the past? Not help us today. (3) Why not the pasture of next year? We are not ready. (4) Why not lie in the desert? The Shepherd always gets us home. b. His choice. The Shepherd knows us . . . knows the pastures . . . knows the future; so His choice is best. 3. The original words suggest “tender new green grass.” What vegetables are best tasting? Tender grass is best. 4. What does the Lord not do with the grass? a. Does not choose what grass for us to eat. b. Pick it for us. He leads us to the Scriptures, but we must, (1) listen, (2) read, (3) study, (4) memorize, (5) meditate. c. We must lie in it and eat it. d The Shepherd chooses the pasture for us. e We choose when, how much, and what to eat. 5. What does it mean because the word lie down is a continuous verb form? b. Not just once. Every time the Lord gets us to a pasture of green grass, He gives us food. c. Daily. We get food, protection, fellowship and strength every day. C. WHY DOES THE SHEPHERD MAKE US LIE DOWN? 1. What does the word “maketh” not mean? a. To face down. b. To ride down c. To pull down. 2. What does the Lord not use to make us lie down? a. Sheep dog. b. His club. c. His strength. d. Punishment. 3. The word “maketh” means, “to cause me to lie down.” The emphasis is on “me.” What does this picture? a. God creates circumstances. The green grass looks so good the sheep want to lie down. Mother feeds and rocks the baby to get the baby to lie down and sleep. b. God creates appetite. After a long walk, the hungry sheep want to lie down. c. God creates desire. When Israel would not obey, God sent the hornets to make them willing to obey. D. WHY DOES THE LORD LEAD BY STILL WATERS? 1. What does the word “lead” suggest? a. Not drive the sheep. He knows the way. b. Not force the sheep. He faces danger first. c. Not point the way. We don’t obey well. d. Not tells us when to find water. He takes us to water. 2. What does the word “by” suggest? a. Not into the water. b. Not within sight of water. c. Not maketh us drink from still water. We all have a thirst “indicator” that lets us know when we are thirsty. d. He leads beside still waters so we can drink when thirsty. 3. What does the word “still” suggest? a. Able to drink without choking. b. Not to a river or waterfall to feel its power. c. Not to a lake to enjoy its beauty. d. “Still” suggests a place to rest and relax. 4. What does “water” do for us? a. Keeps us alive. “A well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). b. Refreshes. “As the deer thirsteth after a stream of water, so panteth my soul for you, O God” (Ps. 42:1, ELT). c. Enjoyment. “Oh that one would give me a drink of water of the well of Bethlehem” (II Sam. 23:15). d. Cleansing. “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps.51:7). PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because Thou art my Shepherd, I commit my needs to Thee. Provide green pasture for me to lie in, Lead me beside still waters. Restore my soul when I’m empty, Lead me in right paths for Your name’s sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death. Deliver me from evil, And protect me with Your rod and staff. Prepare a table to feed me, So my enemies can see Your provision. Anoint me with the oil of Your healing, Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision. Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me, And I will live with You forever. John Butler - A PRICELESS POSSESSION “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). The Psalmist possessed a prized possession that few have. The Gospel application is that the psalmist had Christ as His Savior. FIRST—THE SOVEREIGN IN THE POSSESSION “The LORD is my shepherd.” The focus here is “LORD.” This refers to Jehovah the great “I AM” of Exodus 3:14. This is no second-rate hero. This is God Almighty. You cannot have a greater possession than God. However, it is obvious that much of our society and especially the courts of our land do not want God. They rule out the mention of God in schools and other places when some antigod person complains. They seem to not want the Lord in any capacity in life. Then when God is not around and terrible things happen, they ask “why?” and blame God. The want of many vital things increases when God is put out of our life. SECOND—THE SHEPHERD IN THE POSSESSION “Shepherd.” We need a “shepherd” in life. The word “shepherd” involves rule (position), guide (pilot), provision and protection. Sheep are in desperate need of these things. Without them, they will perish. The Gospel message is seen here. We need Christ as our Savior (“Shepherd”) to rule, guide, provide and protect us or we perish. In the New Testament, Christ is portrayed as the Shepherd (John 10). • Position. “Shepherd” refers to the Lord’s position. He rules our life. We, however, do not like the “rule” part of the Shepherd. Jesus the Savior is a wonderful thought, but Jesus the Lord is something else. However, if the Lord is to be your “Shepherd,” He will rule every aspect of your life. “Ye are not your own … ye are brought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) • Pilot. The Shepherd knows where to lead the sheep. We sheep do not know where to go and therefore should follow Him. • Provision. The shepherd knows and provides what the sheep need. God provides for his own. • Protection. A shepherd protects his sheep from harm. David spoke of killing a lion and a bear to protect his sheep (1 Samuel 17:34–37). Christ the Shepherd will protect us eternally. THIRD—THE SATISFACTION IN THE POSSESSION “I shall not want.” This not only speaks of adequate supplies but more it says, those who have Christ as their Shepherd will be satisfied. If there is one thing evident in our society, it is the lack of satisfaction among the people. They buy every gadget that comes along but it does not satisfy. Those who have wealth are not satisfied as suicide emphasizes. John D. Rockefeller, who had wealth upon wealth, was asked how much money it took to satisfy a man, his answer was one that expressed the lack of satisfaction. He said, “A little bit more.” How that portrays mankind. He wants just a little bit more. He is never satisfied. But the Lord brings satisfaction to the heart and soul of man. JEHOVAH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IS JESUS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Whenever one reads LORD in all capital letters in the OT (in NAS but not capitalized in ESV), the Hebrew word is Jehovah. Jehovah also identifies Himself as "I Am" in Exodus 3:14+. So Who is "I Am"? And Is "Jehovah" mentioned in the New Testament? In John's Gospel we read "These things Isaiah said, because he saw His glory and he spoke of Him." (Jn 12:41). John in explaining the judicial hardening of Israel records 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED? (quoting Isaiah 53:1 - note that in the NAS, NT verses in all caps are indicative of direct OT quotes - and most of the OT quotes are actually from the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew text)" 39 For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 "HE (Who is He? Jehovah = Jesus) HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART; LEST THEY SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED, AND I HEAL THEM." 41 These things Isaiah said, because he saw His (Whose? Jesus') glory (When? Isaiah 6:3 "Jehovah of hosts"), and he spoke of Him (Jesus). (John 12:38-41) Here is Isaiah's record of this event in Isaiah 6:1-3 (See also Isaiah 6 Commentary) ... 1 In the year of King Uzziah's death, I saw the Lord (Adonai) sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. (This is His glory!) 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD (Jehovah) of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory." Numerous commentators in this century and prior centuries have concluded from John's passage that Jesus is Jehovah or Yahweh in the context of Isaiah's vision. However as discussed more below, not every use of Jehovah in the OT can be identified as Jesus. . John