Psalms 23 gives us great comfort in knowing that the Lord is our Shepherd. Anyone who has read these wonderful words has gained comfort, strength and encouragement. When David wrote these words, He had found the security of knowing the many great promises that the Lord our Shepherd has given us. A major part of that security comes by knowing that God has promised to protect the sheep of His pasture and that He will never abandon us. Most of us have found that blessed place of His loving care and tender mercy.
Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
These words of God’s care over the sheep of His pastures are tremendous. Once again, we want to thank Him for His provision. The Lord our Shepherd is constantly watching over us and faithfully provides for all our needs. Because of His Own goodness and mercy, He brings us to green pastures and still waters where He restores our soul. This is the testimony of God’s continued care over His children.
Now watch the Lord work for us when we go through the most distressing times of our lives.
I was reading through verses four and five and saw something that I think will be helpful to all of us. Follow closely with the text.
Psalm 23:4 NKJV Yea, 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.
In verses 1-3, the Lord our Shepherd is leading and makes us lie down in green pastures. While He is doing the leading, He restores our soul and refreshes and renews our strength. This is a place of great safety and covering. There is nothing like the total peace and calm that we gain by walking with the Lord.
Here in verse 4 David says, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
When we are not following His leading, we can get in some terrible situations. Have you ever got yourself in a deep and dark situation? There was no way for you to get yourself out.
Psalm 23:4 NKJV Yea, 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.
When you find yourself in dark places, you need to hear these words, “I will fear no evil; For You are with me…”
Job spoke about this while he was in a dark valley of his life. He said, “But He knows the way that I take… I shall come forth as gold.”
How can we have that assurance? How can we know that everything will be alright?
“I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 46:1–3 NKJV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
Psalm 46:5 NKJV God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
When the Lord is with us, we will fear no evil.
When the disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee and the winds and waves were beating on the boat, the Lord came to them walking on the water. As soon as Peter saw the Lord, he said: “If it is You command me come to You walking on the water,” (Matthew 14:28). When Jesus said “Come”, Peter did something that no one else has done. He climbed out of the boat and started walking on water.
There is no safer place than where the Lord is.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me…”
“When God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.”
God said He would help her at the first sign of trouble.
When the earth is removed, we are going to make it through. When the mountains run into the seas, He will hold us up. When the seas roar and swell, there is a shelter and defense. When the mountains shake with the swelling thereof, God is our refuge. God is in the midst of His Church and He will help her.
God is in the storm with you.
He is there when the white waters rise and threaten your life. He is there when the high places are brought down and you are shaken. He is there when the ground crumbles under your feet and you have no safe place to stand.
Everybody say: “Confidence.”
He is still God and He is in the midst.
He knows how to help you. The Lord knows how to deliver His people. When we cannot see a way…THE LORD IS A WAY MAKER. When we cannot find solid ground to place our feet upon… HE WILL BE OUR ROCK. When we cannot lift our head above the troubles and trials… HE WILL LIFT US UP. The Lord is My Shepherd and He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me on my high places. He has enlarged my path under me; so my feet did not slip,” (2 Samuel 22:32). Even in the darkest valley of the shadow of death, you do not have to fear, for the Lord is with you.
“Confidence.”
You are not going through that valley alone.
You may not see Him, but the Lord is near. You can lean on His everlasting arm.
Say it out loud: “The Lord is with me!”
When the Lord is with you, He will comfort you. How many times have you got in trouble? How many times has the Lord come to your aid and brought the comfort that you needed? He is the Good Shepherd.
Psalm 23:5 NKJV You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
This is the same message that was given in verse 1.
“The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.”
Take a close look at what the Lord our Shepherd has done. We need to be mindful of His constant care.
When you were still surrounded by the enemy, the Lord prepared a table before you.
What does that mean? The Shepherd of your soul will prepare a feast of His goodness in the midst of your deep valley. Regardless of the strength of your enemies, the Lord is greater still. No mountain is too tall, no valley is too deep, and no river is too wide. Think about His goodness. Because the Lord is on our side, “We shall not want.”
“He anoints my head with oil; My cup runs over.”
This is a sign of Divine favor, prosperity and joy. This is especially needed when you have been going through deep and dark times. You need the Lord your Shepherd to open up the oil of joy and pour it all over your head. He will make you glad and fill you so full of His goodness that your cup will run over.
Philippians 4:19 NKJV And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The word “supply” is the Greek word play ro’ -o. It means to make full, fill up, abound. The idea is to fill so full that there is an overflow. God will abundantly meet your needs so that your cup runs over.
Have you ever wondered if the Lord was personally involved in your life?
You keep finding yourself in deep situations. Does God just know about your needs or is He able and willing to do something about them? The answer is clear, “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” If you are in need, start looking and crying out for the Shepherd of your soul to come to your aid.
David said, “I shall not want or lack anything.”
Even when others forsake you, the Lord will not abandon you. He will be with you in the fire and in the flood. He will be with you when you face the giant and when the number that is against you seems to be more than what is for you.
I don’t know how much it would take to cause your cup to overflow with joy, but the Lord has enough of the oil of joy to do it.
He will satisfy your mouth with good things. He will fill you and give you peace.
The whole idea behind this Psalm is, “You can have confidence in the Lord your Shepherd.”
Even if the enemy encamps around and about you, you can have confidence when the Lord is with you. This is a bold, secure, and carefree confidence. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, you can have bold confidence. When you don’t have all of the answers to all of your situations, you can trust the Lord. Jesus never fails. You can have confidence when you come before Him with your heart felt prayer. The Lord will not abandon you! When you cry out to Him, He is full of mercy and compassion. You will “obtain mercy and find grace to help in your time of need.”
