Why Choose God?
Three Blessings From God
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me;
Your rod and staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
All the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of he LORD forever.
Introduction
-- Perhaps the most popular song
-- Funerals, Hospice, everyday life
--The centrality of YHWH
---- As the Shepherd
---- As my Shepherd
-- Sheep
---- As opposed to warrior, servant, etc..
---- Intellectually-challenged
---- Total dependence on the Shepherd
1. Rest on God’s Provision
-- Verses 1-3
-- Green pastures and quiet waters
-- Represent food
-- Sheep are easily spooked
---- Are you anxious?
---- Do you get easily spooked?
---- When bills are piling up, what do you do?
-- He restores my soul
---- God is in the business of soul restoration
---- How’s your year going so far?
---- Did you commit the biggest mistake of your life?
---- God can restore your soul!
---- He forgives.
---- He gives you rest.
-- He guides us
----In path of righteousness
----Are you making the biggest decision of your life?
----Are you changing jobs?
----Getting married or staying single?
----Planning to move out of the area?
-- He guides us
----For His name’s sake.
----Again, the centrality of the Shepherd
----If you would just allow him, He will lead you to path of righteousness.
2. Encounter God’s Protection
-- Verses 4 and 5
-- The valley of the “shadow of death”
----Deep darkness
--I will fear no evil
----For God is with us
----Have you been to the valley of the shadow of death?
----If God is with us, who can be against us?
--His rod and staff
----A tool to guide and discipline us
----They comfort us
----In the process of going thru the valley of the shadow of death
----He will guide and discipline us
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Banquet in the presence of my enemies
God will not take away our enemies
God will not take away our problems
But in spite of your enemies and problem
God will prepare a banquet for you
You can eat and party!
He will protect you.
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3. Enjoy God’s Eternal Blessing
Verse 6
Goodness and love will surely follow you
All the days of your life
From the pasture to the dark valley;
Then to the banquet to the house of the Lord.
