notes

Devotional

Life has been overwhelming me lately. So many situations have come up that I have absolutely no power, strength or resources to handle. I found myself becoming depressed, feeling frustrated at times, alone, helpless and defenseless. This little sheep was lost and in desperate need of a Shepherd. This Psalm, so familiar for so many years, is speaking words of encouragement and comfort to this lost little lamb. The lamb has a shepherd--and not just any old run-of-the-mill shepherd but a Good Shepherd. In fact, He is the Great Shepherd. And He is my very own personal Shepherd. Because of this one fact alone, I will never, ever find myself in a situation where I need something but don't have it. He has promised that I will at all times in all circumstances have everything I need. (It may not always seem that way to me, because I have a tendency to WANT some things that aren't necessarily needed!). My Shepherd is a Constant Presence. He is always with me, and He is in control of every situation. He provides for me. He protects me. He guides me. He knows when I need to move on and when I just need to chill out and relax. He goes with me everywhere I go---even into the dark recesses, into the scary places, into the uncertain-to-me places. These facts by themselves cause me to want to shout and sing and lift my hands in Praise. What a Good Shepherd! What a Loving Savior! But He doesn't stop there. He not only makes sure that I am filled...but He pours into my life until my cup of blessings overflows. He doesn't just provide, He provides abundantly. He doesn't just stretch 5 loaves and 2 fishes to satisfy my hunger. No, He makes sure I have enough to stuff myself and then take home leftovers!!! (Matthew 14:13-21). He listens as I pour out my heart and then provides exceedingly more than I would ever dare dream, let alone ask for. (Ephesians 3:20) What, then, is there to fear? Poverty? Sickness? Being homeless? Death? These are all things in the enemy's domain. My undaunted ( not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment) Savior laughs in the face of such things. In fact, He sets the banquet table filled with His blessings---right in the enemy's face. He makes it known that I am His. Whatever I am facing on this journey called life is but the preparation, stepping stones to the day when I live fully in His Presence forever. Hallelujah!!!!!

Main point summary

The Good Shepherd is always Present; therefore, we need not fear anything for we lack nothing. He fills to overflowing.

Main point summary

The Good Shepherd is always Present; therefore, we need not fear anything for we lack nothing. He fills to overflowing.

Jesus My Shepherd

editing

OT

Psalms 23:1-6

esv

mine

The Lord is my d shepherd;

Jesus is my ruler, provider, protector.

I shall not e want.

Therefore , I will always have all I need.

inference

He makes me lie down in green f pastures.

(1) He continually provides my daily food.

He leads me beside still waters. 1

(2) He also continually goes ahead of me, facing the unknown first until He brings me to rest and relax by quiet, peaceful waters.

He g restores my soul.

(3) and He shows me life from His perspective as I regroup.

He h leads me in i paths of righteousness 1 for his j name’s sake.

(4) Also , He goes ahead of me, blazing trails for me to follow to bring the most glory to Him.

series

Even though I k walk through the valley of l the shadow of death, 1

Even though I have to face low points in life, all sorts of troubles, including death,

I will m fear no evil,

I am not afraid of anything coming my way

for n you are with me;

because Jesus (my Shepherd) is a constant Presence,

ground

your o rod and your staff, they comfort me.

that is , Jesus is always there both to defend me and to correct me.

ideaexplanation

You p prepare a table before me in q the presence of my enemies;

You set me up in a place of honor right in the face of those who wish me ill;

you r anoint my head with oil;

then You pour oil on my head to mark me as one of Your especially loved children;

progression

my s cup overflows.

so that I have much more than I need.

actionresult

Surely 1 goodness and mercy 2 shall follow me all the days of my life,

Jesus goes before me, walks me beside and follows me every step of the way on my journey.

and I shall t dwell 3 in the house of the Lord u forever. 4

and then, as a result , I have full assurance that I will live with Him forever.

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discourse