Comfort for Your Fears

"Comfort for Your Fears" Psalm 23 A Devotional Presented to the Little River High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Pastor Ted Weis Little River Congregational Church May 8, 2021 Good morning! I'm Ted Weis, pastor of the Little River Congregational Church. It's great to be with you again-and especially on this last Friday Fellowship of the year. What do you fear? I attended a large high school. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. My graduating class had over 350 students. My constant fear was I didn't fit in. My school was made up of different cliques. The first clique was the honor students. The ones who got straight A's. That wasn't me. My GPA was 2.8. Next, there was the music-theater type. That wasn't me. I quit clarinet in 9th grade. Another group were the smokers and pot heads. That wasn't me. I had no interest in getting high. The group I wanted to be a part of was the jocks-or the athletes. I loved sports. But in all my try-outs, I ended up getting cut. So, in big Anderson High School, I often felt left out. I didn't fit in. I was alone. What's your fear? This year, we've been wearing a mask over our face. But a lot of times, we wear a mask over our heart. We put on a front. We put on an image. We're afraid to show people our real worries. I want friends who will accept me. No games. No act. People who want to know the real me. I want to meet the expectations of my parents, my teachers, or my coaches. I want people to know that I'm good at something. I can contribute. I can make a difference. But I fear I'll fall short. Today, I want to tell you about a God who can help you with your fears and worries. Now some say that God doesn't not exist. In the early 20th century, there was a psychologist and psychoanalyst by the name Sigmund Freud. He claimed that God was an illusion. People make up God to soothe their insecurities. If that's true, then no doubt, the world we live in is brutish, cold, and dog-eat-dog. But, if God does exist, then this world has in it a real hope. One of the best-known Bible passages on hope and fighting fears is Psalm 23. Psalm 23 tells us who God is and what is does: 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 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 anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 was written by David. Jesus knew this Psalm very well. We know this because in John 10, Jesus said of himself, "I am the good shepherd." So, this Psalm is ultimately about Jesus-who he is and what he does. Psalm 23 gives us four descriptions of Jesus who soothe our fears. First, Jesus is your provider. In verses 1-3, we're told the Lord is our shepherd. If Jesus is our shepherd, that means we are sheep. Have you ever been around sheep? They're not very bright. They're totally dependent on their shepherd. Many times, we have fears because we have lack-something's missing. The good news is Jesus loves to work through our circumstances and provide. Second, Jesus is your protector. In verse 4, we see that sometimes, we stumble into danger. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." When we have fears, we worry about getting hurt-physically or emotionally. It's interesting-God doesn't keep us out of danger. Instead, God is with us in danger. Someone once said, "You are safer with God in the darkness, than without God in the sunshine." If you're in a major trial, trust the Lord. Watch and see how he pulls you through. Third, Jesus will help you prosper. In verse 5, David says, "My cup overflows." That doesn't mean we always get what we want. What it does means is that what God gives us is always good and always wonderful. Jesus loves to richly bless his people. Finally, Jesus will lead you to paradise. In verse 6, David proclaims his confidence in God. In all my days on earth, "goodness and mercy shall follow me." Have you ever had a stray dog or cat find you and follow you? God's kindness is like. It finds you and never leaves. And then, when life is over, we have a home in heaven. David says, "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." All in all, here's the big idea of Psalm 23. I say it, then, you say it: "I'm not alone. Jesus is with me." When Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd," there's three ways to evaluate that claim. Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. The proof that he's the Lord-and not lying or not crazy-is that he died on the cross and then, three days later, rose again. If Jesus can predict his own death and resurrection and then pull it off, the odds are pretty good-whatever he says, you can believe. So, what's your fear? Quietly, in your mind, I want you to name it. Right now, talk to God. Let's pray. "Jesus, right now, my biggest fear is ____. But thank you that I'm not alone. Thank you that you provide, protect, and prosper. Please help me today. And give me eyes to see your work. Amen." Jesus is a Shepherd. Jesus is a Savior. Let him be your shelter today.