Make no mistake about it that…

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In her song, “In the midst of it all”, Yolanda Adams captured the spirit of what David has been sharing with us as he completes Psalms 23. Yolanda says…

“Not because I’ve been so faithful, Not because I’ve always obeyed, No its not because I’ve always trusted Him, to be with me all of the way.

But its because He loved me so dearly, He was there to answer my call, He was there to always protect me, For He’s kept me in the midst of it all…”

Those few lines truly capture the essence of the 23rd Psalms. Protection and provision abound. And now as we close with verse 6, listen as David says SURELY! SURELY! SURELY!

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

David is sure beyond a shadow of doubt that God will do what he says. David is not trusting in his own abilities or his own faithfulness but his faith rests on who God is.

David believes that God is who He says He is and that He is able! I will stop shy of asking whether you or I have the same level of faith because not many of us even come close. The first place to start building this kind of faith is to take God upon His word based on His attributes and not what we think or want Him to be.

The Word of God declares that God is: Omniscient (all knowing), Omnipresent (everywhere), Omnipotent (all powerful), He is spirit, He is eternal, He is the only true God, Immutable (unchanging), Holy, Just, Good, Faithful, Longsuffering, Gracious, Merciful, Loving to name a few.

These attributes are not a list of how I see Him, but how He describes Himself through His word. So David knows that him being able to dwell in the house of the Lord is not because of his goodness or faithfulness but because of God’s goodness and faithfulness. As soon as we can have and live with this kind of viewpoint we will be that much closer to the kind of faith that David has.

Til next time,

Gary B.

Imagine for a moment someone having a dinner party where you are an invited guest. Everything is being provided for you, and all you have to do is show up. While serving dinner, the person responsible for arranging everything begins to serve you a drink. While pouring your drink your glass fills to the rim and rather than stopping they continue to pour and pour and pour.

If you are like most people you would think this person was crazy, but they seem to be enjoying what they are doing. You begin to say over and over “that’s enough”. But they just continue to pour and pour and pour… At some point this would get annoying and perhaps you would become angry. Eventually without explanation they stop, walk away and do the same thing to someone else. What must you be thinking now.

This scene plays out in the lives of most of us everyday. How?, You ask. Well I’m glad you asked. David tells us in Psalms 23:5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

In the previous verse we saw the Lord as protector. We now begin to see the Lord as Provider – Jehovah Jireh. Anointing with oil in the scriptures is always associated with blessing and God is pouring out his blessing on us everyday. In the wilderness, He fed Israel with manna from heaven. When they were thirsty He caused water to come from rocks. In-spite of all this they still grumbled and complained. Much like us today. It seems that no matter how much God blesses us we still find a way to say, “that’s not enough.”

When I read these words of David’s I can almost see his smiling face and joyous dancing demeanor. Imagine if we all received God’s blessing with such joy. So much joy that we would tell someone else about it and perhaps even write about it. Can you say, “my cup overflows.” I can. And, I just want to shout hallelujah to the Lord. Join with me in being more thankful for what God has done for us and less concerned about what He has not done. Chances are, He hasn’t done it because we don’t need it.

Til next time,

Gary B.

Fear is described as: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. It is a word that every person can identify with on some level. You will find those who say they fear nothing and right behind that person is another who cannot leave their own home because they fear everything. So it is to the second person/group that I offer these encouraging words, in hopes that you can look to Jesus to calm you and even rid you of your fear.

In today’s verse we find the words of King David, God’s shepherd to Israel, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4

David’s words speak to the heart of the issue as he says he “walks through the valley of the shadow of death”. The Hebrew word for shadow tsalmaveth which means, deep shadow, deep darkness, deep distress, extreme danger. What is encouraging for you and I is this, David finds himself at times in deep distress and even extreme danger.

Chew on this for a moment, what makes the valley so dangerous is not wild animals or even horrific space aliens. What makes the valley so dangerous is sinful man. In several passages of the Psalms the term shadow of death is used. Each time deals with man doing something to someone, causing harm in one way or another. Job mentions the shadow of death 9 times and we all know about Job’s situation.

But David, he says “I fear no evil”, even though I’m in the valley, “I fear no evil”. Why? How come? Whaddya mean? David fear’s no evil because….Wait for it…

“Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” David was not fearful because the ultimate shepherd was there for protection. David, who was used to protecting the sheep felt the protection of the shepherd. From time to time we may find ourselves in difficult and perhaps even dangerous situations. David says that in these times he is not afraid. He knows that God is ever present with him. Like a good shepherd ought to be, He is prepared to protect and comfort His sheep. When you feel as though you are in or even headed for the valley of the shadow of death, place your trust in Jesus, the Ultimate Shepherd.

Til next time,

Gary B.

What would I know about being restored if I never lost my place? What would I know about His mercy if I hadn’t gotten out of grace? Restoration has finally come! These words are the opening lines of a popular song by the Winans and they ring so vibrantly loud as a prelude to today’s message.

David penned in Psalms 23:3 “He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake…”

Imagine you have sitting in your garage an old raggedy 57 Chevy Bel Air. This car has been in your family for two generations and you know how much it is worth and cannot see any chance of letting it go to the scrap pile. Your plan is to restore the car but you just cannot seem to find the time nor the money to get it done.

This is kind of how God views us. We are His. We have been since our birth but choices of ours seem to have us separated from Him. The bible tells us that “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,…Titus 3:5.

Yes God the Father reached down and pulled us out of that dusty old garage and restored us. Brought us back to life is what Ephesians 2:1 tells us  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,…

Why did He do it? I’m glad you asked. So that, He could parade us around town like you would if you ever restored that 57 Chevy in the garage. See what God wants to do, Ephesians 2:10…For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

“We are His workmanship…” We cannot take credit for it but we must certainly walk in our newness of life.

Enjoy the restoration and show it off!!!

Til next time,

In this day and age of “I did it my way”, and “I got mine, you better get yours” it is getting increasingly hard to find those who give God credit for what they fought for. Sure there are those whom we see on tv saying “thank God” for this and for that, but those moments all too often seem scripted for social acceptance rather than a genuine Thank God moment.

In our text today we read that God really does come down to our level and give us what we need most: Psalms 23:2  “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…”

Imagine that, the God of this universe cares enough about you that He would provide you with comfort in green pastures. For those of us today (with benefit of the NT writings) we should not be too surprised. He told us that such comfort was/is available to those who ask, Matthew 11:28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Imagine having the faith and trust that David must have had in Old Testament times to say what he said in Psalms 23. David knew that God would lead him to the calm quiet areas necessary for rest and life sustaining water. What we know about David is that he was a leader himself. But every good leader must also know how to follow. David had make himself available to follow God’s leading.

So to must you and I make ourselves available to follow God’s calling. God is faithful to keep His end of the bargain.

Til next time,

Gary B.

As believers it is common to hear that we should not want for things. Basically that we should have no desires. This misinterpretation comes from the belief that Psalms 23:1b tells us not to want. But nothing is further from the truth. When David wrote the 23 Psalm, he wrote from the perspective of God being the ultimate provider. He wrote from the perspective that all his needs were met by that provider.

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1

One thing is for sure we know that David often prayed to God for things he wanted. David prayed to God  for many things and had many desires for God to fulfill. A quick read of Psalms 20 gives us a glimpse:

For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you, May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!

As we dig further we can nearly feel David’s shout for joy over God’s provision. The Lord is my Shepherd, he provides all my needs and I shall not be in need. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:19 that God will provide all our needs; And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

So let us not get caught up in the mundane things and the things that so easily set us back and revel in the fact that as our Shepherd, God supplies all our needs and many of our wants…

Til next time,

Gary B.

Chew on this for a moment, “The Lord is My Shepherd…”

Typically we would say the Lord is my provider, the Lord is my protection, the Lord is my rock and so on and so on…

David simply says in Psalms 23:1a, the Lord is my Shepherd. The simplicity of the statement underscores the magnitude of who the Lord really is to David. He encapsulates all that the Lord is in the term shepherd. In the term shepherd, David uses imagery that readers of that area would be familiar with. David himself was a shepherd and was personally familiar with the role and responsibility of the shepherd.

Jacob also knew the value of the Shepherd and to which Shepherd he belonged…Genesis 48:15  Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day…

Note what Isaiah says about the passion and concern of the shepherd…Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

And take heed to what Ezekiel says happens when there is no shepherd…Ezekiel 34:5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.

Ezekiel also echoes what God says about David being Israel’s shepherd…Ezekiel 34:23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.

And finally David only foreshadowed our ultimate Shepherd, Jesus Christ…John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Revelations 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Has it sunk in yet? The Lord is My Shepherd!!!

Til next time,

Gary B.

As we begin our journey through the 23rd Psalms it is important to consider the writer and his viewpoint. Psalm 23 was written by David, Israel’s King. David ruled Israel from approximately 1010 to 970 BC. All of the facts about King David can be read in the Old Testament books of Samuel I and II, Kings I and Chronicles I.

Rather than account all of King David’s exploits, I believe it to be more important to point out what drove him to be who he was and still is today “a man after God’s own heart”. David had an undying devotion to God and desired to do all that God wanted of him.

In the 23rd Psalm we get a glimpse into a relationship with God that most of us can only dream about. Can you truly say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”… The Lord is my protection…The Lord is my salvation…The Lord is my provider…The Lord is my redeemer…The Lord is my leader, my guide, my sustenance…

I will endeavor to delve deeper into the 23rd Psalm in the coming weeks…

Til next time,

Gary B.

Who among us doesn’t love a good journey? A good journey comes in many different forms. One could travel to a far away land or even find themselves enjoying something close to home. One thing common in a good journey, whether you travel far or don’t even leave the comfort of home is “discovery”. Yes, you can have a journey without leaving home. “How? you ask.” Well I’m glad you asked.

You can have a journey without leaving home by using your imagination, or through discovery of facts previously unknown. It is in this spirit that I invite you to join me in a journey through the 23rd Psalm. The 23rd Psalm is probably the best known passage in the Old Testament. It was written by David, Israel’s King and a man after God’s own heart. David wrote about the Lord’s faithfulness through his experiences with God. David used imagery and language that was common to the time. As an example, he speaks of the Lord as his shepherd  for the primary theme of this Psalm. This is David’s personal testimony of his relationship with the Lord.

My hope over these next few weeks is to go into a little detail about the shepherd of whom David speaks. In just this Psalm alone we find that the shepherd provides, leads, restores, guides, protects, comforts, prepares, anoints, among many others.

And, I will let you in on a little secret. The secret is that the same shepherd whom David spoke about is ready, willing and able to be your shepherd too. If you don’t know him for yourself my prayer is that by the time we are done that you will.

Til next time,

Gary B.