December 9, 2007

PSALM 23

v1 - Jehovah is the One I graze and feed on.  I don't want anything else but Him.......

v2 - HE MAKES ME - this speaks of the Sovereignty of God

Sovereignty - means to be ruler,king and boss

It speaks of several things:

(1) GOD STANDS ALONE AND IS IN CONTROL - Job 23:13

a.) no one is equal to Him or near Him

Exodus 20:3 - "have no other gods before you"

b.) God is in complete control

-He is in charge/He is calling the shots

(2) GOD CAN DO ANYTHING AND ANYTHING GOD DOES IS RIGHT  - Job 42:2

-God is right every time

(3) GOD DOES WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO - Psalm 115:3

v2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures -

We can lie down in green pastures:

a.) because we know the shepherd is present

b.) because we can rely upon the word of God

-it is refreshing, tender, green grass

-sheep feed themselves

If we will not lie down ourselves, He will make us lie down - Isaiah 30:15

*******WE NEED A SEISMIC SHIFT FROM RUSHING TO SLOWING*******

v2 - He leads me beside quiet or still waters

a.) it means Jesus Christ is first - "Follow Me"

-if He is leading, He sees everything first

-He leads us by His voice - Romans 8:14

The Result of His Leading:

Peace - Colossians 3:15 - rule - means to umpire

v3 - He Restores My Soul

-restore - means to revive those who are weary

-we must be a restoring church - Galatians 6:1-3

-a cast down sheep - a sheep turned over who cannot get back up

v3 - He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake -

paths - means tracks

-walk in His tracks

righteousness - means to be right with God

a.) being right with God is being saved

b.) being right with God is living for the Lord

***live for the Lord to stay right with Him