Blessings From God

BLESSINGS FROM GOD

PSALM 23

INTRODUCTION: PSALM 23 IS APTLY NAMED THE SHEPHERDS PSALM, YET IN REALITY IT SHOULD BE NAMED THE “PSALM OF THE SHEEP”, FOR IT IS WRITTEN NOT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SHEPHERD, BUT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SHEEP.

THIS MESSAGE IS A SHORT DEVOTIONAL THAT LOOKS AT THE BLESSING AND BENEFITS OF HAVING GOD AS OUR SHEPHERD.

I. SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT – VERSE 2

a. FRESH GRASS FOR THE SHEEP

i. THE GOOD SHEPHERD WOULD HAVE THE SHEEP LAY DOWN SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE FRESH GRASS, BUT WOULD ALSO NOT OVEREAT AND HURT THEMSELVES.

b. GOD PROVIDES FOR US SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT – NOURISHMENT FOR OUR SOULS IN THE SAME WAY THE SHEPHERD BRINGS THE SHEEP TO A PLACE OF NOURISHMENT

II. SPIRITUAL RESTORATION – VERSE 2b

a. WATER IS ONE OF THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT BRINGS REFRESHMENT TO US, AND TO SHEEP.

b. SHEEP HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DRINKING FROM RUNNING WATER. THERE IS A FEAR FACTOR AND A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR THAT IS MIXED IN WATER THAT IS BUBBLING.

c. THE SHEPHERD BRINGS THE SHEEP TO THE EDGE OF THE BROOK AND THEN CREATES A POOL OF STILL WATER FOR THE SHEEP TO DRINK FROM, BEING REFRESHED, AND AT THE SAME TIME GUARDING THEM FROM HARM AND DANGER.

THE LORD PROVIDES FORGIVENESS AND PEACE FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM.

III. SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE – VERSE 3

a. GOD KNOWS THE RIGHT PATH FOR OUR SAFETY AND TRAVEL

b. GOD GUIDES US, NOT ONLY FOR OUR SAFETY BUT FOR HIS REPUTATION

c. WHAT KIND OF GOD WOULD GOD BE IF HE LED US INTO TROUBLE?

IV. SPIRITUAL PROTECTION – VERSE 4

a. NO NEED TO FEAR DEATH OR ITS SHADOW

b. GOD IS PRESENT TO PROTECT AND EQUIPPED TO PROTECT

V. SPIRITUAL PROVISION – VERSE 6

a. EVEN IN DIRE TIMES, GOD PROVIDES

b. EVEN IN DIRE TIMES, GOD CAN REFRESH US.