I'm Satisfied Because... [Psalm 23:1]

Introduction

This Psalm is likely one of the most quoted and well-known passages in all of Scripture. That familiarity sometimes robs us of its power.

David makes a BOLD statement by saying, “…I have what I need. This statement is predicated on the first 5 words of this Psalm. Examining them explains his satisfaction and the source of ours as well.

Reading the Psalm aloud 5 times with emphasis place on a different word of the first 5 words gives further perspective into the psalmist’s satisfaction. Let’s do it now:

THE Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.

The Lord IS my shepherd; I have what I need.

The Lord is MY shepherd; I have what I need.

The Lord is my SHEPHERD; I have what I need.

I. Particular God :: “The...”

A. Our God is not just ANY God. There simply is NO OTHER.

1. Isaiah 43:11 - I—I am the Lord. Besides me, there is no Savior.

B. This is FUNDAMENTAL/FOUNDATIONAL to our faith.

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Exodus 20:3-7 - 3 Do not have other gods besides me. 4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.

7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.

i. This is so important that the FIRST 3 COMMANDMENTS herald its truth.

C. This UNIQUENESS is illustrated repeatedly in Scripture

a. I Kings 18 - Elijah and the prophets of Baal

b. Daniel 3 - 3 Hebrew children and the furnace

i. Note Daniel 3:28 - Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel, and rescued his servants who trusted in him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

c. Daniel 6 - Daniel in the lion’s den

i. Note Daniel 6:26 - I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel:

For he is the living God,

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will never be destroyed,

and his dominion has no end.

d. Acts 17:22-34 - Paul at Mars Hill

II. Powerful God :: “…Lord...”

A. He alone is the SOVEREIGN over all.

a. Revelation 4:2 - Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it.

b. Isaiah 6:1 - In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple.

B. His power is UNMATCHED.

a. Isaiah 66:1 - This is what the Lord says:

Heaven is my throne,

and earth is my footstool.

Where could you possibly build a house for me?

And where would my resting place be?

b. Job 38-41 - God’s response to Job

i. My favorite verse of these chapters is Job 38:8-11 - 8 Who enclosed the sea behind doors

when it burst from the womb,

9 when I made the clouds its garment

and total darkness its blanket,

10 when I determined its boundaries

and put its bars and doors in place,

11 when I declared, “You may come this far, but no farther;

your proud waves stop here”?

III. Present God :: “..is...”

A. He is NOT ANTIQUATED.

a. Exodus 3:13-14 - 13 Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”

14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM., This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

b. I Timothy 1:17 - Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

c. Hebrews 1:10-12 - 10 And:

In the beginning, Lord,

you established the earth,

and the heavens are the works of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain.

They will all wear out like clothing;

12 you will roll them up like a cloak,

and they will be changed like clothing.

But you are the same,

and your years will never end.

B. He is NOT AWAY.

a. Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength,

a helper who is always found

in times of trouble.

i. He is not just present. He is ALWAYS FOUND.

B. Matthew 28:20 -  teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

IV. Personal God :: “…my...”

A. This is ESSENTIAL for eternity.

a. John 3:3 -  Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

i. There is NO WAY to see the kingdom of God without being born again!

B. This is EXPERIENCED in life.

a. II Timothy 1:12 -  and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me, until that day.

b. James 4:7-8 - 7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

c. John 20:28 - Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

V. Person of God :: “…shepherd...”

A. He, the God of all creation, made Himself MANIFESTED in the Person of Christ.

a. John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

b. John 1:14 -  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

c. John 10:11 - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

d. John 10:14 - “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,

B. The shepherd functions in multiple ROLES in supplying every need.

a. Psalm 23:2 - He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

i. He brings PEACE to the sheep. “…lie down...”

ii. He PROVIDES for the sheep. “…green pastures…quiet waters.”

b. Psalm 23:3 -  He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

i. He PILOTS the sheep.

c. Psalm 23:4 - Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

i. He PROTECTS the sheep.

d. Psalm 23:5-6 - 5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.

i. He PRESERVES the sheep.

Conclusion

Are you as satisfied as the psalmist? .

Could it be you aren’t being shepherded by the same Shepherd as the psalmist? If not, today is the day to make Jesus your Shepherd.

Perhaps you are a sheep belonging to the Shepherd who has wandered away? If so, today is the day call out to Jesus so the Shepherd can restore you to the fold.

Be assured of this truth: There is SUPREME SATISFACTION in knowing Him as Shepherd!