When David pinned the words to Psalms 23, the Holy Spirit was inspiring him to show us the value of God’s promises and protection. He wanted you to know that you can trust God’s promises both now and for eternity. We are very interested in God’s promises to keep us and provide for all of our current needs. We need to know that He is my Savior, Healer, and Deliverer. We have learned to rely on the Lord our Shepherd. He has been faithful in all of our ways.
Consider all of the Lord’s promises that have been fulfilled in your life.
Have you taken into account the manner in which the Lord has cared for you?
It is amazing to see how the Lord our Shepherd has carefully watched over us. How many times has He rescued you from disaster? He has defeated the enemy for your sake. Even when sudden destruction seemed to be upon you, the Lord has protected and has been a shield for you. He has also prepared a table of His good things before you in the presence of your enemies.
Take note of the redundant and persistent ways the Lord has cared for the sheep of His pasture.
He always has more than enough to take care of all your needs. His goodness and His mercy never fails.
Do you remember the time when David and his men came back to Ziklag?
David and his men had been in exile and had taken refuge with the Philistines. When David and his mighty men had gone into battle, the Amalekites invaded the city. As they were returning they saw the city had been burned, their wives, sons, and daughters had been taken captive, (1 Samuel 29-30). All of the people that were with David lifted their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep.
Have you ever been through a time when it seemed that everything was lost?
There are many situations in the Bible where God’s people were tested and tried. Sometimes they were so distressed with what they faced that they lifted their voices and wept before God. When this happened at Ziklag, even David was greatly distressed. You know things are hard when God’s generals are going through difficult times.
David did something each of us needs to do. In his distresses, David strengthened himself in the Lord His God.
You may not want to hear this, but we all will be tested and tried. We will go through deep valleys, high mountains, and face enemies that encamp around about us. Sometimes you may feel like everything is lost.
When David became distressed, he inquired of the Lord.
God told him to go out and overtake those who had stolen what the Lord had given him and his men.
When David got to the enemy’s camp, they took back everything that had been stolen.
The blessing and victory was great.
You need to remember the words of Psalm 23 whenever you face the attack of the enemy and when things don’t seem to work the way that you planned.
Psalm 23:1-5 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. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Don’t stop there! You need to hear this last verse.
Psalm 23:6 NKJV Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
You need to know that the Lord your Shepherd will load you down with His goodness and mercy.
Your enemy does not have the final word with God’s children. We are the sheep of His pasture. We are His sons and daughters. We have received the heritage of the Lord. We have been made heirs and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. His goodness and mercy are a result of His loving and watchful care.
The Lord gave this promise to Abraham.
Genesis 28:15 NKJV Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Moses spoke to Joshua and gave promise of God’s faithful care.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Just before Joshua led God’s people over the Jordan river, God renewed His promise.
Joshua 1:5 NKJV No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and very courageous…
The Lord our God is with us.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
Look at those words, “All the days of my life.”
That covers every variety of situation that you are going to face. He will be with you and will not forsake you. As long as life shall continue, David had this confidence. Every need will be supplied. His mercy and grace never runs out.
The message makes you want to kick your heels and shout with joy.
Whatever you face, whenever it comes, regardless of the situation, the Lord our God is with us. This helps us maintain a glad anticipation that everything is going to be alright.
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.
This is the confidence that we have in the Lord, Who is our Shepherd.
The Lord God almighty is in the midst of His people. That means no storm, no battle, no enemy, no devil is going to defeat God’s children. We will not be easily shaken, for the Lord is with us.
Psalm 23:6 NKJV Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
That last phrase has a dual meaning.
First, it refers to the continual care that is given and the place of safety for the sheep of the Lord’s pasture.
David frequently spoke about the blessedness of dwelling in the Lord’s house and in His courts. David rejoiced in the House of the Lord. That was a place of peace, joy and safety. There is no better place than dwelling in the presence of the Lord. It is a place of rest, fullness, overflow, joy, peace, goodness…
Then this phrase is referring to the eternal dwelling place that has been prepared for you.
You need to know that the Lord’s care far exceeds the situations of this life. We have hope that reaches into heaven.
John 14:2-3 NKJV In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
One of these days, we will find that blessed place that has been prepared. Everything that is in Psalms 23 finds fulfillment in what God has prepared for those He loves.
Revelation 21:4 NKJV And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
