Provision Series

INTRODUCTION

• Last Sunday, we started our series on Psalm 23.

• We talked about the fact that David identified the Lord as his shepherd.

• The theme for our first message was trust.

• Without trust, you have nothing.

• Who do you trust when you are in need in life?

• Who do you trust when things get rough or need provision and guidance?

• At the end of verse 1, David tells us that he would lack nothing because the Lord is his shepherd!

• What is he speaking of?

• Today, we will examine what David meant when he said he would lack nothing.

• The title of the message today is PROVISION.

• What does the great shepherd provide?

• We will begin with an insightful article in the May 13, 1955 issue of Good Housekeeping, entitled "The Good Wife's Guide."

• The Good Wife's Guide featured tips on how to please their husbands when they come home from work.

• Here are some excerpts:

• Have dinner ready.

• Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return.

• This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs.

• Prepare yourself.

• Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives.

• Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking.

• He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

• Clear away the clutter.

• Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

• Over the year's cooler months, you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by.

• Your husband will feel that he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.

• After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

• Prepare the children.

• Take a few moments to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and, if necessary, change their clothes.

• They are little treasures, and he wants to see them play the part.

• Minimize all noise.

• At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise from the washer, dryer, or vacuum.

• Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

• Make the evening his.

• Never complain if he comes home late, goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you.

• Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

• Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order, and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.*

• (WWW.SERMONCENTRAL.COM)

• Don't shoot the messenger!

› Big Idea of the Message: God sees our needs and provides for them at the right time with the right purpose.

• Let's read Psalm 23 together.

• Our focus will be on verses 2-4 today.

Psalm 23:1–6 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2 He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.

3 He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.

4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.

5 You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.

6 Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the LORD’s house for the rest of my life.

SERMON

I. The Shepherd provides the necessities for one's life.

• Let's revisit verse 2.

Psalm 23:2 (NET 2nd ed.)

2 He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.

• If I am in his care, then all anxiety may be dispelled.

• The provision afforded is summarized in verse two—green pastures … quiet waters.

• The shepherd sees to it that the flock is provided sustenance, protection, and rest.

• Sheep need a lot of help to survive each day.

• Sheep do not appear to be the brightest animals on the planet; they have no real defense and would not do well alone in the wild.

• Due to their strong flocking instinct and failure to act independently of one another, sheep have been universally branded "stupid."

• But sheep are not stupid.

• Their only protection from predators is joining and following the sheep before them.

• If a predator threatens the flock, this is not the time to act independently. (https://www.sheep101.info/stupidsheep.html)