Title: Lord You're More Than Enough For Me

Scripture: Psa 23

"1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not 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 the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psa 23, NASB)

I. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

The word "LORD" is in capital letters referring to Yahweh, Jehovah.

It is the Personal name of God revealed to Moses in Exo 3:14.
This Personal name of God reveals to us a personal God who wants to be known by each of us individually.

The word "MY" shepherd:

There is no reference to “we, us, they” but “my, me, I”
This is king David’s personal testimony of the intimate relationship between him and His Jehovah God.

As God’s children, we can declare confidently in FAITH because the LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not lack too!

“LORD YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME!”

I shall not lack because of:

A. The Lord's Loving Care and Provision For Me (v.2)

"He makes me lie down in green pastures" (v.2a)

Better translation: “He shall cause me to lie down in green pastures”
Unless sheep are free from fear, friction, pests and hunger, they will not lie down.
Only the shepherd can provide assurance to free the sheep from anxieties.

"He leads me beside quiet waters" (v.2b)

Sheep when thirsty set out aimlessly to search for water and drink from polluted potholes when not led.
Only the shepherd knows where the still-quiet, clean-pure water is to be found.

The LORD showers each of us with His loving care.

As the shepherd knows the needs of his flock, the Lord knows our needs and will do everything to meet them.

I shall not lack because of:

B. The LORD’S Restoration and Guidance to Me (v.3)

"He restores my soul" (v.3a)

"Restore" speaks of refreshing and renewal.
When a sheep became "cast down", if the shepherd does not find and restore it, the sheep would die within a matter of hours.

"Why are you downcast O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God." (Ps 43:5, NKJV)

We need our Shepherd to restore us!

"He guides my paths of righteousness For His name’s sake" (v.3b)

Sheep have poor sense of direction and always wandering off
Shepherd takes it upon himself to search for the strayed sheep
We need God’s guidance to show us the right way to go

Show me the right path, oh LORD; point the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. (Ps 25:4-5)

Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me for my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Ps 143:8b-10)

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The LORD will always lovingly lead you,

if only you allow Him to do so.

You shall not lack!

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I shall not lack because of:

C. The LORD’S Presence Gives Me Security and Stability (v.4)

"Through the valley of the shadow of death" (v.4a)

Why would a good shepherd be prepared to lay down his life for his sheep and lead his flock into the valley of the shadow of death?
Every valley is a pathway to something better
When there is shadow, there must be light somewhere

No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Ps 84:11)

Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man's pathway even for a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. ~ Charles Spurgeon

David did not say there shall be no evil but I will fear no evil. Such is his confidence in His Shepherd!

"For You are with me" (v.4b)

David:

changed pronouns from “I” to “you”
shifted talking “about” His Shepherd to talking “to” His Shepherd
God is with David in his valley

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (v4b)

Rod is a symbol of God’s protection
Staff is used to guide sheep across open fields

Valley experiences make us feel lonely and isolated. But you are not alone, God is with you always.

Valley is never meant to be a destination or dwelling place.

The LORD’s Presence gives me security and stability, I shall not lack!

Indeed, LORD, You are more than enough for me!

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II. THE LORD IS MY KING

I shall not lack because of:

A. The Lord's Abundant Blessings Over Me (v.5)

“Prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (v.5a)

Eastern kings threw banquet to honour their guests in ancient days
David was welcomed to a victory banquet as the honoured guest with his enemies looking on
He could enjoy the feast, confident that no harm will come to him as he is in his King’s presence

“Anointed my head with oil” (v.5b)

Speaks of the King’s friendship, acceptance, and protection over David

“My cup overflows” (v.5c)

Symbolises David’s life was overflowing with abundant blessings

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Eph 3:20, NKJV)

I shall not lack because of:

B. The Lord's Goodness and Lovingkindness Over Me (v.6)

"Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house the LORD forever." (Ps 23:6, NASB)

"follow" (Hebrew: radaph): to pursue, to set off after someone with the intention to catch him
Goodness (tob) and mercy (hesed), the loving-kindness of your King will be pursuing you relentlessly!

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"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God" ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Walk by faith and not by sight

Put our trust in our Great Shepherd,

Place our confidence in our Coming King!

Let us lay hold of the LORD’S promises and declare them, we shall have NO LACK!

because of

the LORD’S Loving Care and Provision for Me
the LORD’S Restoration and Guidance to Me
the LORD’S Presence Gives Me Security & Stability
the LORD’S Abundant Blessings Over Me

Surely Goodness and Mercy (loving kindness) shall Pursue us ALL the days of our lives!

And we shall dwell in His Presence forever looking to His coming!