TRUST: Psalm 23

Introduction:

What are some elements in this world we can trust in for peace?

a. Education (does more education mean more peace? No degree, trade degree, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate?)

b. Job (great location, great benefits, great retirement)

c. Social Status (certain number of friends, popularity)

d. Money (how much money is enough?)

In all of these examples, do any offer real, sustaining peace?

Jesus spoke of a peace that is different from that of the world, in John 14:25-27. Therefore, how much time are we trusting in this peace Jesus offers?

When Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, do we believe the peace of God is a real, tangible, an actual thing we can live with? And not only live with but truly be at peace with?

Psalm 23, is a psalm that David wrote to express trust in the Lord. And as a result of that expression of trust, David displays the depth of his peace in the Lord.

Psalm 23 gives us three reasons we find peace when we trust in the Lord.

I. The Lord Is A Shepherd

Psalm 23:1-3

As David begins the 23rd Psalm, he is clear in his intention to identify who the Lord is in his life.

David says, “The Lord is my shepherd,”

For this statement to be true, David has to be known by the Shepherd. David here is expression his complete submission to the leadership of his shepherd.

David himself had been a shepherd he understood the importance of a shepherd for the sheep. Likewise, David compares the Lord to a protector, provider, and director of all his needs.

This statement by David is a direct parallel to what Jesus said about Himself in John 10:11-16. Verse 14 stats, “I know My sheep and am known by My own.”

As a shepherd Jesus provides His sheep.

v. 1 “I shall not want”: contentment: Our Savior supplies all the needs we have. Jesus said in Matthew 6:28-30 “25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Since God promises to feed the raven and cause the lilies to grow, how then can He leave His sheep to not be provided for? The Shepherd always provides for the sheep.

As a shepherd Jesus guides His sheep.

v. 2a “He makes me to lie down in green pastures;” This is a picture of the satisfaction the Christian has in the provisions of Jesus. Our Savior puts the believer in a place where their is no bitter grass but sweet grass and plentiful grass for us to feed off of.

v. 2b “He leads me beside the still waters” The is a picture of the calmness in the Christians life. The world we live is full of noise and often we can not be at peace because of the distractions around us. However, trusting Christ assures us of calmness in our life amid chaos.

v. 3a “He restores my soul” A soul can get weary from time to time. Trusting in the Lord will result in our Savior reviving our soul and strengthening us in weakness.

v. 3b “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” This is a picture of our Savior directing our steps in the right direction. Trusting in Jesus results in obedience in our life. In obedience, we find delight; in disobedience, we find despair. Also, trusting Jesus to lead us means a path of sanctification. Jesus sets us apart for His glory.

As a shepherd Jesus cares for His sheep.

Parallel to John 10:11, Jesus cares for His sheep, to the point He laid His life down for His sheep.

II. The Lord Is A Comforter

Psalm 23:4

David here offers a vivid picture for the path of the Christian.

v. 4a “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

Even though we live in a dark world, the Christian is still called to walk worthy of their calling. David makes it clear, the Christian can walk and not fear the darkness in this world. Even in death, those who trust in Jesus do not have to fear.

To contrast this verse, means we must take notice of what it is saying and not saying. What has to be presence for a shadow to be seen? Light! The only time a shadow can happen is when sometime gets between the sun and the path.

The same is true as we walk with Jesus. We walk in the light of Christ, but sometimes Satan will try to block the light from shining on us; however, that is worthless effort on Satan’s part. The believer may at times seem to walk in darkness, but Jesus is always their to shine His light on us.

David says “I will fear no evil” (notice David did not say there would not be evil, he just says he will fear no evil) Why?

v. 4b “For you are with me;” The joy of the Christian is to know Jesus is with them.

Trusting in Jesus means He is with you in the valley.

Trusting in Jesus means He is with you in pain.

Trusting in Jesus means He is with you in the storm.

Trusting in Jesus means He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Trusting in Jesus means He will supply you with security in times of insecurity.

Trusting in Jesus means we do not have to fear, but receive the grace of Jesus to help in our life.

Deut. 31:8 “And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

v. 4c “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Here David uses the image of a rod and staff to explain why he is comforted by the Lord.

Trusting in Jesus means being guided by a “rod or staff” What is the rod? The Word of God. It disciplines, it corrects, it instructs, and it directs the believer as they walk.

A person will never be left in despair when they trust and follow the Word.

As the shepherd uses the staff to protect, provide, and guide the sheep. Likewise, our Savior Jesus does the same with us.

Take great comfort in trusting the Lord.

III. The Lord Is A Provider

Psalm 23:5-6

We have to admit, we do not look to the Lord has our provider. Sometimes we feel as if we can do it on our own. It is a battle we all face in our sanctification process.

David was certainly no expectation to that thought. However, David had trusted and seen the faithfulness of the Lord enough, he knew the Lord would provide for him.

He uses verses 5-6 to explain how trusting in the Lord means living with a peace that the Lord will provide.

v. 5a “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;”

In times of despair, a common thing no one wants to do is have fellowship around a table. The lack of peace in their life makes them edgy and uncomfortable.

Now where is more uncomfortable than being around people that are enemies. But David gives glory to God, he proclaims, even in the midst of his enemies, he will be at peace and sit down at God’s table and be free of despair.

Are you sitting at the table that Jesus has prepared for you today? Does his peace that only He can provide sustain you to sit down even in the midst of danger and rest?

Many are invited to sit down at the Lord’s table, but few will sit. They cannot let go of this world, they cannot let go of themselves, they cannot trust in the peace that Jesus offers, they continue to despair, they continue to fret, they continue to be anxious.

Jesus clearly invites us to come, in Matthew 11:28-30, He offered the invitation.

v. 5b “You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

David offers a picture of a common tradition during his days to show us how God provides us with peace.

In David’s day, people frequently anointed their visitors with some very fragrant oils and give them a cup to drink from. The purpose for the anointing was to show their guest respect and how delighted they were for their visit. The purpose of the cup was to fill it until it overflowed showing the guest that as long as they visited in their home, they would have an abundance of everything.

Jesus shows the same kind of act today in our lives. When we trust in Him, Jesus gives us abundant grace and abundant life. He promised to provide for us in every circumstance in our life.

In verse 6, David closes the chapter with a declaration because of God’s faithfulness and his peace in trusting the Lord.

As I close, can we here today say the same thing as David today.

v. 6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”

Do you have this peace today?

Jesus gave up heaven to give you peace today!

Jesus shed His blood to give you peace today!

Jesus offered His body to be slain to give you peace today!

Jesus proved His ability to offer you peace today by His power to walk out of that grave and st at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus said it plainly in John 16:33, do you trust Him?