Trust the LORD
In Egypt, Abraham’s descendants were overwhelmed with the cares of the world and the suffering that came from being in captivity. The circumstances of their lives were most difficult and they were subjects of every desire of their adversary. When God brought them out, they had to learn how to trust the LORD.
Psalm 31:14–15 But I trust in you, O Lord…My times are in your hands.
From the moment God sent Moses to bring them out, they were faced with new circumstances and situations that brought them to trust in the Lord.
Everything God did for them helped them see how God provides, protects, and promises.
There is a certain level of provision, protection and promise that can only be realized when we are living in Christ Jesus.
When Israel left Egypt, God watched over them with His persistent providential care. Immediately they began to experience how God provides, protects and keeps His promises. Although they faced humanly impossible situations, God carried them along and continued showing Himself to be faithful in all things.
The Book of Psalms includes songs, prayers, and poetry that expresses the deepest passion of worship, praise, and petition toward God.
The Psalmists poured out their souls in heart-felt expressions brought on by the greatest battles and most severe difficulties and challenges of human experiences. Psalms 23 reveals the Lord as the Shepherd of His people and shows the depth of God’s provision, protection and promise.
- Verses 1-3 reveals the Lord’s promise to provide.
- In verses 4-5, the Lord our Shepherd promises to never abandon us and shows us His protection.
- The last verse lets us know that we can trust God’s goodness and mercy both now and throughout eternity.
The Psalmist used the shepherd’s role to show how blessed he was by the LORD.
Psalm 23:1 NKJV The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
David knew exactly what it meant to watch over sheep. Two of the Jehovah names come into focus in this verse. Jehovah — Roi is the Lord my Shepherd. Jehovah — Jireh is the Lord Who provides. The LORD is my Shepherd demonstrates how Jehovah-Jireh provides. You can make this personal because it refers to the saving and redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a testimony of God’s provision for all our need. You can trust in His care over you.
Your trust in the LORD is going to be challenged.
Can you genuinely rely on the Lord God Jehovah in all circumstances, regardless of life’s challenges? Can He genuinely guide you through the confusing and challenging phases of your life? Can you trust the LORD when you don’t see Him or feel His presence?
The Hebrew word for “want” means “have need, diminish, decrease, or cause to lack.”
The Bible tells us, “All my need He has supplied.” This is both spiritual and physical, temporary and eternal. We have a Shepherd Who is able and willing to provide.
Psalms 34:9 says, “There is no want to them that fear Him.”
The test of God’s provision comes when we face situations that are outside of our control.
We observed this with Abraham’s descendants when Pharaoh and the strong armies of Egypt pursued them fully equipped for battle. The sight and sound of the chariots and horses filled their hearts with fear. They had just escaped 400 years of slavery and abuse. Can they trust the God of Moses? With a mighty act of God’s sovereign power the Red Sea was divided and they walked across on dry ground. Watch them shout for joy when they arrive on the other side safe and sound. It wasn’t many days in the wilderness that they ran out of water, but God opened a river from a rock. Then they became hungry and God gave them manna from heaven. Over and over the LORD supplied and kept.
Since the Lord is our Shepherd, all our needs for body and soul for now and eternity are provided.
If we are left to our own devices and going astray, we would have no reason to hope and no help in the times of our troubles. The Lord our Shepherd is watching over us and has come to our aid, therefore all our need He supplies.
Psalm 23:2 NKJV He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Jehovah-Shalom, the LORD our Peace makes me lie down in places of peace and safety. The LORD knows how to satisfy and nourish our souls. If we will follow Him, we will not lack. Look at the words, “makes” and “leads” and the relationship between “He and me.”
The LORD our Shepherd knows how to care for me.
Since our need is supplied and our soul is satisfied, we can rest and trust in His care, promise, and protection. His provision is sufficient. Before we can experience the bounty of His supply, we must come to trust in His care for us. Lying down in green pastures suggests being fully fed, satisfied, and our needs completely supplied. When we fully trust His care for us and when our soul is satisfied with His goodness, there is rest, quietness and peace. Green pastures refer to being surrounded with the blessings He provides for us.
Psalm 103:2-3 NKJV Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Psalm 103:4 NKJV Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Psalm 103:5 NKJV Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Consider the depth of God’s provision and care. He not only leads to green pastures, He leads beside still waters. The Lord leads us to places where our soul is restored. The Psalmist knew that the Lord was Jehovah — Rapha, the Lord our healer Who restores our soul. In His presence and under His leading, the Lord restores and refreshes the soul. He never fails or overlooks anything we need. He sustains His sheep with His own power, and strengthens and feeds them while keeping them from all harm. “He restores” refers to the Lords ability to bring us back from our errors and wandering, to quicken and bring back life. What we have lost due to our transgressions and sins can be restored. He is able to give double for all of our troubles that have come as a result of our going astray. Our exhausted, wearied, troubled, anxious, and worn down with care soul is restored and given new joy.
You can trust the LORD and find great security in knowing that He keeps all of His great promises.
Now watch the Lord work for us when we go through the most distressing times of our lives.
A major part of the security we have comes by knowing that God has promised to protect and never abandon us.
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…”
How can we have that assurance and 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 NKJV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:2 NKJV Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psalm 46:3 NKJV 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.
God said, “I will 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 you. 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. Even if you are surrounded by the enemy, the Lord will prepare a table before you. You can feast on the Lord’s goodness.
He has promised to anoint your head with oil and cause your cup to overflow.
This is a sign of God’s favor and blessing even when you are 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 runs over. You can have confidence in the LORD your Shepherd.
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.
When God brought Abraham’s descendants out of Egypt, He knew the plan that He had for them.
God was going to do amazing things and bring them into the Land of His Promise. At the end of Moses’ life, he spoke to Joshua some words you need to declare over your life.
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.”
The Lord our God 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.
Look at those words, “All the days of my life.” That covers every situation that you face. He will be with you and will not forsake you.
You can trust the LORD.
Psalm 31:14–15 But I trust in you, O Lord…My times are in your hands.