Powerful Promises for Every Woman by Elizabeth George

 

POWERFUL PROMISES FOR EVER WOMAN

12 Life-Changing Truths from Psalm 23

by Elizabeth George

God's Promises for You

David was a man of great faith.  David was not only an ancestor of Jesus Christ, but was also described by God Himself as "a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13 verse 22)  A thousand years later, David, the man of great faith, was honoured with a listing in God's "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11.

He was also a man of great failure.  Not only did David commit adultery with Bathsheba, but he also cold-bloodedly arranged for the murder of her husband (2 Samuel 11).  Still another of David's failures was his directly disobeying God in taking a census of the people. (2 Samuel 24)  

Specific instruction can be learned from David:

David admitted his failures.  David confessed to Nathan "I have sinned against the Lord."  Then we read "God put away" David's sin (2 Samuel 12 verse 13).  Proverbs 28 verse 13 "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."  After David admitted his failure, the joy of his salvation was restored and his sins were washed whier than snow. (Psalm 51)

David suffered sin's consequences.  David paid a price for his disobedience.  His baby died, his son betrayed him and his family was divided.

David went on.  After the death of his child "David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshipped and ... he ate." (2 Samuel 12 verse 20)  A forgiven sinner, the grateful David went on to write many of his most poignant psalms, including the penitential psalms, which expressed his passionate outpouring of confession, a contrite spirit of true repentance and the sparkling brilliance of joy revived by forgiveness.  David carried no bitterness toward God - he wholewheartedly accepted the responsibility for his wrongdoings "For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.  Against You, You only, have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight - that you may be found just when You speak and blameless when You judge." (Psalm 51 verses 3 and 4)  David owned his sin and considered the Lord to be "gracious ... and righteous; yes ... and merciful." (Psalm 116 verse 5)

David truly shows us a pattern for spiritual growth.  Our role is always to rise up and go on.  God's role is to sustain us along the way ... and He promises to do just that!

God's Promise of Care

"The Lord is my Shepherd" = Hebrew Jehovah-Rohi.

One major meaning of the word "shepherd" is "to feed" and a few of its uses are:

The bible narrative of Joseph opens with him "feeding the flock with his brothers." (Genesis 37 verse 2)

Later in Egypt, when Pharaoh asked Joseph's brothers about their occupation, they answered "Your servants are shepherds ... and we have no pasture for our flocks." (Genesis 47 verses 3 and 4)

Still another glimpse of rohi is found when we read that David "returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep" (1 Samuel 17 verse 15)

We need both physical and spiritual food - we can enjoy both from the hand of the Shepherd.  He cares for us throughout life and brings us to places of pasture.  Through circumstances and events, He insures that we are brought to the place where we will feed - and feed on His best.  When there are no pastures, the shepherd gathers the food needed by using his crook to pull down leaves and berries from the trees.  Then he feeds his sheep directly and intimately right out of his own hand.

The word "shepherd" is used in the bible in a figurative sense to signify the leadership role of a prince with his people.

To David the Israelites said " ... you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, 'you shall shepherd my people Israel, and be ruler over Israel'" (2 Samuel 5 verse 2).

Even of Cyrus, the heathen king of Persia, God said "He is my shepherd and shall perform all My pleasure." (Isaiah 44 verse 28)

God promised His people, "I will give you shepherds (princes, priests and prophets) according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jeremiah 3 verse 15)

Which of the 3 sheep am I?

Restless and discontent sheep - jump into other fields, climb into bushes and leaning trees.  Sometimes fall and break their legs.  These nervous and dissatisfied sheep cause the Good Shepherd endless trouble.  Are you settled, at home with and abiding in the Shepherd?  Are you one who trusts ... and therefore rests ... in the Lord?  Is the Lord all that you need?  Are you content to be nothing more than His sheep and one who delights in what He has to give you?

Worldling sheep - intent on own pleasures and selfish interests.  Run from bush to bush searching for variety and sampling every kind of food.  Only now and then do they lift their heads to see where the Shepherd is - just to be sure they don't wander too far!  Live lives near to the world instead of near to the Shepherd.  Dabbling in sin and pleasure they nibble on what is meaningless and even harmful.  They partake of the world's ways as they stray farther and farther from the Good Shepherd.  As we live in a world saturated by an ungodly culture, we can draw nearer to God by heeding these time-honoured, oft-proven surefire practices: follow the shepherd (John 10 verse 27), talk to the shepherd (Psalm 116 verses 1 and 2), listen to the shepherd (John 10 verses 2 - 5) and chew on the shepherd's food (Psalm 1 verses 1 and 2).

Devoted sheep - keeps near the Shepherd!  Each sheep in a flock has a name, and the devoted followers answer joyfully whenever the shepherd calls.  By prolonged and continued fellowship the sheep who follow nearby enjoy the shepherd's presence and become his familiar companions.  To those closest to Him, He shares the choicest portions of food which He's gathered.  Never in danger, will not get lost, fall into mischief, or suffer harm from wild beasts or thieves.  

Jehovah-Rohi warns us:

"The mouth of fools feeds on foolishness" (Proverbs 15 verse 14)

The idolater "feeds on ashes" (Isaiah 44 verse 20)

God will "feed" false shepherds "in judgment" (Ezekiel 34 verse 16)

God's Promise of Provision 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want " = Hebrew Jehovah-Jireh.

Where God guides, He provides.  Therefore we shall not want ... for anything.  First meet Jehovah-Jireh in Genesis 22.  God provided for Abraham and Abraham's son Isaac.

Abraham's command - came out of heaven from God "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering ..." (verses 1 and 2)

Abraham's response - immediate obedience "So Abraham rose early in the morning ... and took ... Isaac his son ... and went to the place of which God had told him." (verse 3)  A 60 mile trek.

Abraham's son - Isaac had a question: as they walked along with the wood, the fire and the knife necessary to slay an animal sacrifice, Isaac asked "... where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (verse 7)

Abraham's answer - revealed his trust in the Lord "My son, God will provide (Jehovah-Jireh) for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." (verse 8)

How did Jehovah-Jireh provide?

Arriving at the place of sacrifice, faithful Abraham bound Isaac with rope, laid him on an altar and took out his knife to slay his only son.  As Abraham prepared to follow through on God's command to offer his son as a sacrifice, the Angel of the Lord called out from heaven "Do not lay our hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (verse 12)

Jehovah-Jireh provided a lamb for the sacrifice.  As Abraham looked up, he spotted a ram caught in the bushes, a ram which he used in Isaac's place for the burnt offering.  No wonder Abraham named the place "The Lord will Provide"  "In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided" (verse 14).

Faith must finally take a step:

The Red Sea didn't part until Moses lifted his hand and his rod (Exodus 14 verses 16 and 21).

The waters of the Jordan didn't divide until the priests stepped into them (Joshua 3 verse 13).

Rahab's family wasn't saved until she tied a scarlet thread in her window (Joshua 2 verse 21).

The widow's oil didn't increase until she poured it out (2 Kings 4 verse 5).

Naaman's leprosy wasn't cured until he washed in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5 verse 14)

How do we know God provides?  We have the promise of God (which requires it) but we also have the very nature of the Person of God (which demands it).  He is all knowing.  He is all wise.  And he is all powerful.

In his omniscience (His complete knowledge), God knows or sees our needs.

In his power He can provide; and

In his goodness, He must provide for what His knowledge and wisdom reveal to be the true needs of His people.

Physical area - food and clothing.  Think of how God provided for the Israelites as 

they wandered for 40 years in the wilderness.

Our need for leadership, comfort, instruction, encouragement, protection, love, safety, purpose, belonging, fellowship and friendship. 

Psalm 23 - Dr Harry Ironside, Former pastor of the famed Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, wrote of God and His promises, "I shall not want ...

... rest, for He maketh me to lie down

... refreshment, for He leadeth me beside the still waters

... restoration, for He restoreth my soul

... guidance, for He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

... confidence, for I will fear no evil

... companionship, for Thou art with me

... comfort, for Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me

... provision, for Thou preparest a table

... joy, for my cup runneth over

... anything in this life, for goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

... anything in eternity, for I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Our Shepherd sees our needs and sees to our needs. And when we see His provison, we need to see to it that He is greatly praised.

G Campbell Morgan "This is not only the first statement of this song, it is its inclusive statement.  Everything that follows interprets the glory and sufficiency of the fact here declared.  When this is said ... the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ... all is said."

God's Promise of Rest

"He makes us to lie down in green pastures"

There's a place God guides us to, a place of "green pastures".  What is in those green pastures ...

Food - good shepherd carefully picks a place of pastureland that's filled to overflowing with fresh, new, tender grass.  His heart is set on finding a place containing plenty of delicate green grass that will provide nourishment, health, and fresh energy for his sheep.

Rest - as sheep lay down in green pastures there is the picture of satisfaction and rest, calm and contentment, sheer enjoyment.

We can partake of green pastures - by having a "quiet time" - do we take necessary, regular and increasing time in God's word?  

3 stages in God's word: the cod liver stage (you take it like medicine), the shredded wheat stage (nourishing but dry) and the peaches and cream stage (consumed with passion and pleasure).

In addition to a place of rest, we can also rest in God's plan.  In His wisdom He plans and ensures that we "lie down".  The Shepherd has in mind is no little nervous pause.  The idea is expressed is one of stretching out, of lying full-out, of completely reclining.  Rest would occur, relaxation and refreshment would take place.  Why do the sheep not lie down.

Fear 

Hunger

Fighting

Our Lord also has a procedure that guarantees our time with Him - He makes us lie down - even when we don't want to!

God's provision of making us lie down is a call to trust Him.  Why? Because He alone knows the future.  Only He knows what lies ahead for us ... around the next bend ... over the next hill ... on the other side of the green pastures.  Will it be a long steep climb?  Will the path narrow as it leads us around a dangerous mountain?  Will the trail take us into the valley of the shadow of death?  Are we headed into a dessert or a roaring storm?

The Shepherd knows the path.  But He also knows His sheep and what it takes to prepare us to walk along the way.  And so the Shepherd makes us lie down to fortify us for the trek.  He makes certain that we won't tire, that we're not at risk because of weariness, that we're invigorated from our pasture time for any strenuous climb.  With His eye on tomorrow, He who alone knows all our tomorrows, leads us today.

Isaiah 40 verse 31 "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

God's Promise of Peace

"He leads us beside the still waters." = Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah my peace or Jehovah brings peace.

He the Shepherd knows all about our need for peace and provides it.  He has made us, He has planned our path, He knows our every challenge and He provides the peace we need for fulfilling His will for our lives.

Leads us to the places where peace is plentiful and makes sure we attain it.

Still waters - He leads us beside still, restful waters of comfort.

Here the peace that makes us whole and places us in harmony with God is characterized by cool, fresh water.  By the still waters, the rest of peace is enjoyed.  Another translation of verse 2 is "My spirit was lifted and my endurance renewed."

Jehovah-Shalom first mentioned in book of Judges when the reigning judge, Gideon "built an altar ... to the Lord and called it The Lord Shalom" which means "Jehovah is peace." (chapter 6 verse 24).  God's people were involved in a repeated cycle of sin at this time in their history.  Things got worse and worse as ...

God's people had begun to forget Jehovah, their God.  Instead they were turning to the gods of the people around them.  Truly it was a time when everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21 verse 25)!  Finally God's people corrupted themselves with idolatries and abominations.  As a result they lost their purity, prosperity, freedom and peace.

Soon a desperate pattern of sin-punishment-repentance-deliverance emerged.  It was a dark, dark, dark time for the Israelites, a time of alternating prosperity and adversity, of repenting and sinning, of deliverance and slavery.  

Enter Gideon, the fifth judge appointed by God to lead and deliver His people.  He was hiding in a winepress for fear of the Midianites, the enemies of the Israelites.  Gideon had scraped together a scant handful of wheat that the enemy hadn't destroyed and was secretly threshing it (Judges 6 verse 11).

Into this dark scene in this dark time in the history of the children of God, the Angel of Jehovah suddenly, brilliantly and wondrously appeared to Gideon!  The angel promised deliverance for God's people and called Gideon to lead them.  He doubted.  He hesitated.  He questioned.  He wondered.  He squirmed.  He feared.

But the Lord led Gideon to the still waters and still his fears with these comforting words "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die." (chapter 6 verse 23)

Then Gideon worshiped.  He built an altar to the Lord and named it Jehovah-Shalom meaning "The Altar of Peace with Jehovah." (chapter 6 verse 24)  This signified Gideon's confident anticipation of God's promise of not only victory but also long-awaited and much-needed peace.

The Angel of the Lord appeared ...

with a proclamation - "... you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites" (verse 14)

with a promise - "Surely I will be with ou and you shall defeat the Midianites ..." (verse 16)

with peace - "Peace be with you; do not fear ..." (verse 23)

with power - "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor" (verse 12)

These assurances and gifts from God transformed Gideon from being fearful to being a fearless leader of God's people.  Gideon acted with confidence, defeated the Midianite army, excelled as a military strategist, was offered the title of king and was inducted into God's "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11.

God's Promise of Healing

"He restores my soul" = Jehovah-Rophe, the Lord heals

In our times of pain and sorrow, God's tender care goes into action with His promise to heal us.

We have the promise of his care and provision in verse 1

We have the promise of his rest and peace (verse 2)

We have the promise of his healing restoration (verse 3)

Our wonderful Saviour not only takes care of our physical requirements but he also sees to our spiritual needs.  He ministers to the spirit and soul as well as the physical body.

After God's people were released from their bondage in Egypt and delivered from Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea, they journeyed into new territory.  Jubilant and still marveling over God's many miracles on their behalf, the Israelites stepped into their dream future ... only to find there was no water to drink.  Moving on water was finally discovered at Marah ... but it was bitter and undrinkable (Exodus 15).

Then Moses remembered the One who takes care of His sheep and cried out for help to the Lord ... and He answered.  Jehovah then showed Moses a tree, which, when cast into the bitter water, instantly made it sweet.  Jehovah provided, announcing, "For I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15 verse 26)

God's people were dying of thirst with only bitter, poisonous water on hand.  And God took their physical need and turned it into a spiritual issue.  Out of a bitter experience God revealed Himself in yet another sweet, comforting way, as "Jehovah heals."

In the OT "to heal" is often used of a physician and means to restore or to cure.  Jehovah-Rophe, the Great Physician heals and restores those of His who are cast down.

Shepherds throughout time have applied the term "cast-down" to any sheep that's turned over on its back and can't get up again by itself.    The process of restoration involved 3 stages:

finding the cast down sheep

restoring the cast down sheep

following the cast down sheep

Problems are not the problem but the problem is in trying to cope with problems on our own and with our own resources and in our own strength or weakness, without the help of the Shepherd.

What causes us to need God's healing touch? Not enough of the right things (or too much of the wrong things!) For instance 

running too long - the Shepherd must revive us

running on empty - the Shepherd must refresh us

running with the wrong people - the Shepherd must replace them

running away - the Shepherd must retrieve us

running scared - the Shepherd must refocus us

Elijah as example.  He was God's representative in a showdown with the priests of Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 18).  After calling down fire from heaven and after overseeing the slaughter of all 450 of the false prophets of Baal, something happened - Elijah received word that Ahab's wife Jezebel was seeking to kill him (1 Kings 19).

He ran away into the wilderness

He ran too long

He ran too hard

He ran scared

He ran so far and so long and so hard that soon he was running on empty!

Falling down in weariness Elijah rolled over and stuck his worn-out feet into the air and gave up.  He even asked God to let him die - indeed to kill him!  And then the largest and strongest of God's prophets passed out in an exhausted sleep.  How did God bring healing to Elijah and restore him to usefulness?

He gave him physical care - rest, food and drink

He talked with him and listened to his discouragement, to his dismay, to his feelings of futility

He gave him something to do

He gave him a plan and some facts (1 Kings 19 verses 4 - 18)

Elijah had gotten too comfortable and had gotten too fat!  He also became too independent - he had left his servant and assistant and companion behind and gone on alone.  Elijah needed something to do and that was a part of God's cure.

The Lord heals - it is so like the Lord to pursue us, to continue after us when we run, to supply all our needs when we choose not enough of the right things and too much of the wrong things.  But is there a prescription for us that will help us to stand upright instead of becoming cast down?

Feed on God's Word.  We know that "the law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul" (Psalm 19 verse 7) and we can have direct contact with the Lord by feeding on His word.

Commune with the Shepherd in prayer.

Another translation of verse 3 is "He found me when I was cast down and gave life to me again."

God's Promise of Guidance

"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

A habit is a custom or practice acquired by repetition.  A habit is an action that, due to repetition, increases in performance and decreases in resistance.  Thus, by repetition an action becomes automatic and a habit - good or bad - is born.

If we stay close beside the Shepherd and walk where He guides us, our habits will honour His name and we'll harvest the fruits of righteousness.  We'll develop holy habits!

First the 'paths'.

A very simple way to understand the "paths" of righteousness into which the Good Shepherd leads you and me is by the word "tracks".  Because sheep habitually take the same way each time they go out to graze, their paths cut deep patterns into the sides of the slopes.  The Hebrew word for ways means literal tracks made by constant use.  

Those paths are paths of "righteousness".  That means they're stiff or straight paths.  

In the Bible righteousness is used in these ways:

With men, righteousness indicated a full measure.  Measurement and weights were to be just and right

With God, righteousness indicated a full measure in the spiritual sense - offering to Him what was sincere versus half-hearted and shoddy.

With a court, righteousness indicated a full measure of righteous judgements.  Judges and officers were to render justice and make things right.

Jehovah-Tsidkenu means "Jehovah our righteousness and first appears in Jeremiah 23 verses 5 and 6.

The kingdom of Judah was falling apart

Judah was sinning grievously, even polluting the house of the Lord

God sent His prophets to warn His erring people, but their messages went unheeded

God, therefore, sent His prophet Jeremiah to predict that Judah would be taken captive.

That was the bad news!  But because of God's promise to King David to establish his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7 verse 16) Jeremiah also prophesied some good news - Israel would be restored to the land and Jehovah would raise up to David a Righteous Branch - Jehovah Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23 verses 5 and 6).

In short, God was dealing with His sinning people and they would be chastised.  But in the end, God would restore them and He would produce a Righteous Branch (Jehovah Tsidkenu).  That Righteous Branch of David we now know was the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

But besides His great love for us, there's a greater reason for God's guidance in our lives - He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake, to bring glory to Himself!  In Hebrew thought, a name was normally connected to the character and personality of the bearer's name, and this beautiful phrase "for His name's sake" means maintaining one's reputation.  God's name points not only to a title for Him, but to His very nature.

Therefore, for His sake He leads us to do what is right.  Why?  Because if we, His sheep, sin and stray, we tarnish His reputation!  So for the sake of His own name, as well as for our good, He points us in the right direction.  His name is Shepherd (Psalm 23 verse 1) and if He fails to care for and lead His sheep, He fails to be a Shepherd.  Therefore, He must shepherd and care for us because His name demands it.

How does guide you and me in the paths of His righteousness?

Bible reading - "His word is a lamp unto our feet, ever lighting the path of righteousness ... one step and one decision at a time." Psalm 119 verse 105

Prayer

God's Promise of Presence 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me."

All sunshine produces a desert ... but rain brings forth flowers.

As we walk through life beside our faithful Shepherd, the path of righteousness stretches not only through the sunshiny green pastures and beside glistening still waters ... but also winds down through the dark valley of the shadow of death.

Suddenly the path turns downward.  It begins to wind around unannounced corners.  There's a precipice, perhaps.  Or a steep riverbank.  The water here in the valley of shadows and darkness foams and roars, laced by jagged rocks.  Passing through a deep and narrow gorge we perhaps press ourselves hard against battlements of rock and sheer walls of stone.

These are words that describe the valleys - or wadis - so familiar to Palestine, the Holy Land, the setting of Psalm 23.  It's wilderness.  It's desert ... where there are pits, ravines and caves, the dryness of drought and the shadow of death.  It's truly a no-man's land, a terrain that signals both danger and death.

In the OT there are 18 uses of the term "shadow of death".  It means darkness, deep darkness, very deep darkness, thick darkness and a darkness as dark as death.  Its meaning includes the "death shadow" and the extreme dangers of the desert where death is dominant because the desert is a place of death.    

Know that as the Shepherd's dear sheep and as God's beloved child and with the Lord beside you, you will walk through it.  It comforts the soul to know that the Good Shepherd does not take His sheep into the valley of darkness to stay - but to pass through it - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death."

But David did not end his verse nor his psalm in the valley of the shadow of death.  Nor do we stop and stay there in its foreboding darkness.  Every shadow is produced by light.  It is impossible to have a shadow without a light.  Our Lord is light!  And He, the light of this world (Psalm 36 verse 9 and John 1 verses 4 - 9), has promised to be with us every step of the way.  Indeed, He lights our path ... one step at a time ... one turn at a time.

The shepherd carries a lamp made out of parchment folded much like a Chinese lantern.  After lighting the little oil lamp inside the lantern, the shepherd would hold it up high so that it would give light to his feet - one step at a time - as he led his sheep through the darkness - one step at a time.

It is crucial to remember a handful of facts about God:

we walk by divine appointment.  The valleys we enter are never accidental or the result of some mistake on God's part.  We are led there by our all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful Lord Jehovah.  For He it is who knows the end from the beginning, the outcome of each and every pathway we tread.  he it is who orders our steps (Psalm 37 verse 3).  Proverbs 16 verse 9 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 20 verse 24 "A man's steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?"

we walk in divine presence.  No matter the twists and turns, the entanglements and obstacles along the path, "You are with me" David declares.  We are never alone along the way.  God is always with us.  And He never fails.

we walk by divine grace.  God has promised that His grace is and will be sufficient for all our needs (2 Corinthians 12 verse 9).  We experience fear when we try to imagine or anticipate future events.  But the truth is that when we need God's marvelous grace, it will be there.

we walk by divine purpose.  And exactly what is the purpose of the valleys we must traverse?  Why, it's intimacy with the Shepherd!  Valleys are not meant to dishearten us or to provoke us or to trouble us.  Valleys are merely passageways that bring us into greater closeness with our Lord.  Just as we must go out into the dark night to behold the brilliance of the stars, so God's presence shines the brightest in our valleys of deep darkness.  When we go into the valley of the shadow of death, we come so near Him that we look into His face and say not, "He is with me" - that is too formal, too far away - but "You are with me."

We next encounter one of David's greatest "I wills" in the bible - "I will fear no evil".  David knew fear well!  But David knew the shepherd well.  David learned to face the tragedies and terrors of life with the Shepherd and therefore without fear.  He boldly declared, "I will fear no evil".  Why?  Because of the presence of God - "You are with me".

Psalm 46 verses 1 and 2 "God is a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear ..."

More than 80 times in the bible God tells us "fear not".  Indeed a frequent command issued by Jesus was "fear not".  "Do not be anxious."

Any fear on our part signals loudly a lack of faith in our Lord ... who is with us, through every day, over all the way.  And we are not to fear death.

"The Lord is my shepherd - not was, not maybe, not will be.  The Lord is my shepherd, is on Sunday, is on Monday, is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December and every month of the year; is at home, is in China, is in peace, and is in war, is in abundance and is in poverty.  The Lord is my shepherd."

God's Promise of Comfort

"I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." = Jehovah-Shammah, meaning "Jehovah is there."

We know that David was not only a shepherd but also a warrior.  And yet the warrior David is letting us know that he did not find his comfort in the dark and terrible times of battle from the weakness of his enemy nor in his own strength.  No he found comfort in the singular promise that the Lord was with him - fully armed with His rod and His staff!

The name Jehovah Shammah comes from the OT book of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel was one of God's prophets who was taken as a captive to Babylon along with God's people (Ezekiel 1 verse 1)

God asked Ezekiel to announce to the nation of Judah that they had been destroyed and removed from their homeland because of their sins (Ezekiel 2 verse 5)

Israel was at its lowest ebb ever in its history.  And due to their chastisement, God's people had finally gone from being stiff-necked and hard-hearted to being broken in spirit.  Where once they were proud and obstinate, they at last came to the place (away from their beloved homeland and as slaves to a foreign government) where they lived in humiliation and genuine sorrow for their sins.  Their sorrow was so deep that they could not even sing their beloved songs about the beauty of Zion, of Jerusalem, but instead hung their harps on the willow trees ... and wept (Psalm 137).

Shooting across the dark skies came the dazzling promise of hope and consolation from God as spoken by Ezekiel: God would restore the land of Judah and return His people to it!  And behold as Ezekiel announced that when they finally arrived "home", Jehovah would be there too!  In Jehovah-Shammah (Ezekiel 48 verse 35) we have God's promise of restoration, comfort and hope.  "The Lord is there!"

There is more to this name than emotion.  The uniqueness and glory of Israel's religion had always been the presence of God dwelling in their midst.  Whether by the Angel of the Lord or the Shekinah glory dwelling in the cloud and the pillar of fire and in the tabernacle and temple of God, God was present with His people.  He dwelt in a city - the City of God (meaning literally Jehovah-Shammah, The Lord is there) and He was the Helper of His people.  Away from Zion, the City of God there was turmoil and tumult, war and ruin.  But in Zion and with God there was safety, security, tranquility.  Why? Because the Lord was there - Jehovah Shammah!  Why did the Israelites long to return to their homeland?  The hope of God's presence was there!

Although the valley of darkness is one of God's paths, the trip through the valley is not very pleasant.  It is a cause of constant danger.  There are crags and stones.  There are extremes of cold and heat.  There are desert and steep mountain trails.  There are poisonous snakes there.  There are vicious animals lurking along the way.

God our Shepherd is armed!  We need never fear, whether by day or night.  Why?  Because 2 distinct implements are in the Shepherd's hand and they bring comfort to our hearts.  "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  You and I have the promise of divine comfort as we walk life's pathway.

The rod of a shepherd - hangs by the shepherd's side or is sheathed in a long narrow pouch attached to his cloak.  Made of oak and 2 feet long, coming from a carefully chosen straight young tree.  After tearing up the oak tree, the bulb at the beginning of the root, which is about the size of a man's fist is trimmed to make the head of a club.  Next a hole is carved through the rod so it can be tied to the shepherd's belt or hang from his wrist like a riding whip.  Sometimes 2 inch metal spikes are driven into the club so that one blow with it can kill an attacking animal or snake.  

Armed with this instrument of protection and death, the shepherd can lead his sheep through tall grass, swinging the club back and forth to frighten any enemies and prepare the way for his sheep.  And with his tool of defense, the shepherd can beat off the enemies of the flock - eagles, snakes, wild animals, mountain lions, bears, wolves, coyotes, even robbers.

Not only does God defend us - He also directs us.  He not only protects us - He also points out the way.  The shepherd's staff - longer stick than the rod, 6 feet in length.  It enables the shepherd to climb up and over rocks to survey their stability before leading his sheep there.  With his staff, a shepherd can check out crevices and caves for snakes and scorpions that could harm his sheep.  And his staff is also used to prod loitering sheep and to separate those that are fighting.

A shepherd's staff also has a crook on one end, much like the end of a curved walking stick.  The staff with its crook has been used as an instrument of guidance and restraint and has come to symbolise the wise control of a shepherd over his sheep.  

The shepherd can use the staff to draw the flock together and to keep them from wandering.  He can use it to restore the little lambs to their ewes.  He can count each sheep when night falls by gently tapping each one on the head with the staff as it enters the sheepfold.  And the shepherd uses his staff to communicate with his sheep as they trek and amble along their many paths together.  A touch of the staff becomes a gesture of intimacy while walking, even though the shepherd towers over the sheep.

The staff is also used to coax the sheep to follow.

Remember the place - the valley of the shadow of death.

Remember the proclamation - I will fear no evil

Remember God's presence - for you are with me

Remember God's protection - your rod and your staff

Remember God's promise - they comfort me

God's Promise of Friendship

"You prepare a table before me ... You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over."

On more than one occasion David's life was at risk.

As young shepherd David fought not only with lions and bears but also against the giant, Goliath.

As a servant to King Saul, David experienced many a murderous attempt on his life from the hands of the very man he served.

As a warrior, David fought and slew his 10,000s (1 Samuel 18).

After his wife Michal (Saul's daughter) helped him escape from King Saul's house, 

David spent the next several years fleeing from Saul's rage.

Seeking food, shelter, and a sword, David escaped to the priestly outpost of Nob.

David then ran to the King of Gath to avoid death at the hands of the Philistines.

As an "outlaw" David headquartered in a cave in the wilderness.  There in that wild and mountainous region, David was hunted like the animals that lived there.

Even as the King of Israel, David was forced to flee for his life into the desert - from his own son.

It was this David, David the fugitive who wrote of finding a gracious host, sumptuous provision ... and a friend! ... while being a victim on the run.

Hannah fell into the category of one who was mercilessly persecuted by an enemy, an adversary, a rival, one who chided and taunted her year after year, scoffing and laughing at her barrenness.  When she went to the house of the Lord and entered into the presence and provision of the Lord.  There in Shiloh, she poured out her problems and woes to Jehovah, a Friend who sticks closer than a brother (and in Hannah's case a husband).  In God's presence, there was rest, there was camaraderie, there was help and there was healing.  Hannah left that place repaired, replenished and rapturous!

There is a change of scenery in verse 5.  A new image is introduced in this verse, an image of a host and his guest.  And suddenly we move from journeying with the Lord our Shepherd out in the wilderness and fields as He leads us as a sheep ... to a scene of gracious hospitality and friendship inside His tent or home.  The setting shifts to show the psalmist as a guest of honour, enjoying the warm hospitality that is so characteristic of the Middle East where Psalm 23 was written.  Suddenly the shepherd and sheep imagery is replaced by one of human intimacy - by one of feasting and friendship.

In verse 4 he moved closer to God in intimacy, realising His divine protection through dark times in the valley of darkness - even the darkness of death.  

But now we are invited to focus on the promise of His protection and the blessings of His friendship: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.  All along the way we've needed God's protection, guidance and provision.  But here we experience the lavishness of His friendship as well.

Our host and server is the Lord himself.  Now we are allowed to see the supply our Host has heaped upon His table

The table is prepared ... prepared for you!  You're not an unexpected guest, but an anticipated one.  You're not a drop-in guest, but an invited one.  This is a meal where preparations were carefully made in advance.  The table is elaborately furnished and literally and liberally spread with food!

This scene is a prototype of the table furnished by the wise woman from Proverbs 9 verse 2 and of the ultimate great table prepared by Christ for His bride (Revelation 19 verse 9).

Notice the style with which He serves His friends.  There are 2 additional marks of His hospitality and friendship and generosity toward His weary people.

The anointing of the head - "you anoint my head with oil".  He anoints the hand of His guest with perfumed oil.  This is a blatant act of luxury - for oil is costly.  It's also a symbol of festivity - for the oil of joy always replaces mourning (Isaiah 61 verse 3).  And it's a sign of happiness - for ointment and perfume rejoice the heart (Proverbs 27 verse 9).  Chemists tell us of 3 unique pleasures and distinct qualities of oil: touch - oil provides a smoothness, sight - oil gives a brightness and smell - oil supplies a fragrance.

The filling of the cup - the magnitude of God's provision includes the well-filled cup.  This is the cup used for drinking liquid at a dinner or a banquet.  Large and deep, its contents were meant to satisfy the thirst, refresh the body and invigorate the soul.  Filled to overflowing - that's what the cup of God's guest is!  And the one fortunate enough to drink from it will be filled and saturated.  The cup is full and complete, brimming until it spills over.

Consider just a sample of the many blessings that you and I discover in God's friendship right here in verse 5.

Increased intimacy - guest in His home "In our Father's house there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16 verse 11)

Divine care - He himself prepares a table for us  Imagine the joy of feasting in God's presence, at His table and on the fare from His hand!

Gracious amenities - God, our heavenly Host, anoints your head with oil and fills your cup to overflowing.  "Who am I O Lord God ... that You have brought me this far" (2 Samuel 7 verse 18).

A haven in a hostile world - no matter where we roam, and no matter how many enemies pursue, and no matter how hard the path we need only lift His divine tent flap and enjoy a retreat for our soul!  All who find their refuge in the Lord find not only a Friend but rest, refreshment, relaxation, renewal and revival.

A shelter from the storms of life - in our Father's house we can come in from the cold ... to the heat of a hearth.  Come in from loneliness ... to fellowship.  Come in from war ... to peace.  Come in from darkness ... to light.  Come in from danger ... to safety.  Come in from famine ... to feast.  Come in from enmity ... to friendship.

A warm welcome - we are expected.  We've been anticipated.  We're greeted.  

Preparations have been made in advance.  Our host has been waiting to wrap His arms around us in friendship.

A place to pause - we stop.  We breathe.  We pause.  We enjoy.  We sup.  We rest.  We fellowship.  We regroup.  In God's presence is heaven on earth!

A hospital - as we arrive weary and worn, haggard and breathless, battered and bruised, bleeding and terrorized, our heads are anointed and our wounds are bathed with the oil of healing.

A generous heart - in the intimacy of His house, our Host hovers over us, watching for any opportunity to provide magnanimously for us, continually refilling our cup as we drink from its lip.  He delights in pouring out a generous portion.

The blessings of friendship - here our host is a picture of true concern, of society and fellowship, of all that comes from the heart of a true friend - the lavishness of the oil of joy and the cup filled with blessing of every kind. God is our promised Friend.

God's Promise of Protection

"... in the presence of my enemies."

Psalm 34 verse 7 "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them."

Elisha and his servant were surrounded by horses and chariots and a great host of warriors who came in the night and circled the city where they were.  When Elisha's servant saw the armed mass, he cried out to Elisha, "Alas my master! What shall we do?"  Elisha ever the man of faith, calmly replied, "Do not fear; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  And then Elisha prayed, "Lord I pray, open his eyes that he may see."  And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6 verses 13 - 17).  God's protection, completely surrounded Elisha!  Out of His awesome power, God protects His people!

We note the unique situation in which His bounty is provided - it is in the presence of our enemies!

A scene of warm hospitality - we read in the bible about Abraham and Sarah rushing to select and prepare the very best food available for their 3 guests (Genesis 18).

A scene of security - Eastern hospitality is synonymous with protection, because to be someone's guest meant to be safe - at least for the duration of the stay inside the host's home.  Therefore, dining, especially in the presence of enemies, denotes a sense of security.  Why?  Because the host was obliged to protect his guests ... at any cost.  Abraham's nephew Lot protected his guests in Genesis 19.  Lot not only served his guests a feast but he also shielded them from the pressing mob gathered at his door.  Another instance illustrates the duty ... in reverse!  2 brothers - Solomon was not invited to a feast held by his brother Adonijah.  Why?  Adonijah planned to kill Solomon.  And under the code of Eastern hospitality, Adonijah would be obligated to protect Solomon if he came to eat with him.  Therefore Adonijah did not invite Solomon to his feast (1 Kings 1).

A scene of victory - Another Eastern custom is portrayed as David speaks of dining in the presence of my enemies.  In David's day, enemies who were conquered in battle were forced to watch the victory celebration.  Sometimes a prisoner was chained to each pillar of the palace in order to "feast" his eyes on the victory feast.  The scene went something like this: the enemies, present as captives, watched, up close and personal, the banqueting victors eat to their hearts' content while the prisoners of war went without.

God's protection of us as His people and His provision for our every need - even in the presence of our enemies! - is a staggering promise.  And there's another reason we need never worry about God' protection.  He protects us as a Saviour because He is Jehovah-Nissi meaning "the Lord is my banner."

We find this name appearing in Exodus 17.  It all began as God's people wandered in the wilderness.  When the Amalekites attacked them Moses, their leader went into action.

First Moses appointed Joshua to lead Israel into battle

Second Moses assured Joshua that he would stand on top of a hill with his staff, the rod of God, in his hand.  While Moses' staff was lifted into the air, the battle went well, and in the end Joshua won the clash.

Moses built an altar to celebrate Israel's victory and named the altar Jehovah-Nissi meaning "the Lord is my Banner" (Exoudus 17 verse 15).

The name Moses chose, Jehovah-Nissi revealed Israel's confidence that God was the One who gave them the victory.  It was also a reminder that God was the One they should rally around as their banner in future skirmishes.

A banner was simply a bare pole with a bright ornament on the top.  This ensign would glisten and shine in the sun.  The word in Hebrew mean "to glisten".  At the time of the battle with the Amalekites the banner was the rod of God, Moses' staff.  Later, in another crisis, Moses lifted up a pole topped with a bronze emblem of a serpent that saved the life of every Israelite who looked at it (Numbers 21 verse 9).

This banner was ultimately a sign of deliverance and salvation, a sign of God's protection.

God's rod in Moses' hand on that victorious day became a symbol and a pledge of God's presence and power to His people in the presence of their enemies.

David anticipated ultimate victory and deliverance in the presence of his enemies because he rallied under God's banner of protection in His home as His guest.

We've witnessed the situation - the presence of enemies.

We've experienced the scene - the safety and protection of our divine Host.  And we've beheld our Saviour - Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner.

As you face adversaries through life, remember: The ultimate victory is yours because of God's great power ... even in the presence of your enemies.

As you rally under His name Jehovah-Nissi and look to HIm and the standard of His banner, remember: You are protected ... even in the presence of your enemies.

As you, in faith, lift up Jehovah-Nissi high in your heart, remember: deliverance is yours ... even in the presence of your enemies.

God's Promise of Hope

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me."

In verse 1 - God promises us care and provision "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

In verse 2 - God promises us wisdom and daily bread "He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters."

In verse 3 - God promises us guidance and restoration "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

In verse 4 - God promises us companionship and comfort "Yea, 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."

In verse 5 - God promises us safety, joy and fellowship "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over."

An upward look - "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord."  Our walk with God, our shepherd shifts ... from the present tense (is, makes, leads, restores, You are with me and they comfort me) ... to the future tense (shall and will).  God plans and promises to take care of our every need in the future too.  Forever!

There are approximately  8,810 to 30,000 promises in the bible.

David begins verse 6 with a profound "surely".  He is looking back at all that God has done and provided for him in the past as how God has cared for his daily needs as they arose along the way.

David does an about face, turns around 180 degrees, looks his unknown future right in the face and confidently declares, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.:  With this statement David moves from experience to faith.  He knows he's under God's protection.  His head is anointed with perfumed oil.  His every need is completely satisfied.  With faith and confidence building out of the lessons of the past, David feels that every moment of his future life will be filled with God's richest blessings too.

Seven shots, seven features, seven angles, seven different views of the same verse.

God's continued goodness.  God's goodness is the sum total of all His attributes.  

When Moses asked to see God's glory, God answered "I will make all My goodness pass before you" (Exodus 33 verse 19).  As another favourite Psalm says "for the Lord is good" (Psalm 100 verse 5)  God's goodness will follow and accompany us for the rest of of our life.  

God's continued mercy.  Mercy or lovingkindness is David's word for God's tender affection.  Its use in the ancient world meant love that flows not out of a sense of duty, but from deep emotion.  Mercy expressed God's steadfast love even toward those who were unworthy and undeserving.  Rahab offers us one of God's most dramatic cameos displaying the light of His mercy against the background of dark, sinful deeds.  Rahab waas a woman who had every reason to be shunned and condemned by God and His people  Rahab was a harlot, a prostitute.  Yet she had heard of God, feared the Lord, hid His spies and helped them to escape death.  As the spies from the army of Israel ran for their lives, they promised this dear woman who had risked her life that they would spare her and all her family when they came to conquer the land (Joshua 2).  She did not deserve to be spared.  God says "there is none who does good, no, not one ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ... and the wages of sin is death." (Romans 3 verses 12, 23 and chapter 6 verse 23).  God in His great mercy ... extended His loving-kindness to the undeserving and unworthy sinner Rahab.  In His compassion and grace, He saved her and her family, turning her dark life and sinful past into an exquisite cameo of shining faith.

God's continued pursuit.  The writer of Psalm 23 was a warrior.  David knew all about armies and forces and battles and warfare.  David uses the words "follow me all the days of my life."  The picture is one of being pursued by his enemies and by the enemies of God.  And now David puts this term to a more positive use, conveying that God's goodness and mercy will pursue us and "hound" us each and every day of our life, just as it had for David.

God's continued presence.  As David ponders the goodness and mercy of God, he gives them each a personality, a presence.  He pictures them as following us, as shadowing us ... that no matter what happens in our lives, today, tomorrow, or in all the todays that follow tomorrow.  God's mercy and love will be there too.  They will always be there!  No, nothing can ever separate us from God's goodness and mercy.

Life is made up of "days" and God will be there at the dawn, noonday, the evening and through the dark night of each and every one of those "days".  When you need His strength for your life's work each day, God will be there, extending to you all of His goodness and mercy.  When you need His support for life's trials, when your green pastures become the dark valley of death, then, too, you can hold tightly to the hope of the promise of God's goodness and mercy.  And when it is time for you to step across the threshold into the unknown, into "the house of the Lord" God's goodness and mercy will escort and follow you there too.

God's promise of Home

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 

David turns us away from this life - which the Bible calls "a puff of smoke", "a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4 verse 14)  He forces our gaze upward to heaven as he pronounces "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  And suddenly as he speaks of our forever home in the house of the Lord, the things of this world grow strangely dim as we're allowed a glimpse into the glory of heaven!

Eternal worship,  To dwell with God in the house of the Lord was the paramount desire of his heart.  He wants much more than merely being a guest in a tent along the way.  He yearns to "dwell" with God and to be His forever-guest, not just an acquaintance or visitor for a brief stay.  David wants to live with God.  He wants to stay with Him.  He wants to experience the fullness of joy and the forevermore pleasures of the Lord's presence!  And what will it be like to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?  It will be to worship the Lord of that house ... forever.  Just as the Levites (who were assigned to serve the Lord in His sanctuary) considered the courts of the Lord to be their true home, David, too, has set his mind and heart there ... for then he will be in the house of the Lord forever ... where he will worship the Lord forever.

An eternal home.  The concept of a house and a home has a deeply emotional effect on the heart of every person alive.  But imagine what it meant to David.  David, the shepherd knew all about the nomadic life.  Shepherds were on the move their whole life long, regularly pitching and moving their tents as they grazed their sheep.  To have a house and a home was usually an unfulfilled dream for a shepherd.  David's whole life had been a pilgrimage, a journey home.  He'd travelled through many a fair meadow and many a dark valley of death.  He'd had his share of storms and adversaries.  And God, the Shepherd had never failed to care for him.  But David was ready for his troubled trek to end.  He was ready to go home.  What did David mean by "the house of the Lord?"  An eternal home.  It was forever fellowship with Jehovah beyond the grave.  David as a king - and a wealthy one at that.  And David possessed worldly riches and pleasures.  But these worldly pleasures simply did not compare with the eternal pleasure of being at home in the house of the Lord ... with the Lord of the house ... forever.      

Eternal presence.  Reaching out with his heart toward the God whose eternal presence he so longed to enjoy, David reached out and touched a higher truth.  What will we experience when we step across the threshold between earth and heaven?  The writer of the book of Revelation tells us that God will be there.  And He Himself will "wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, and there shall be no more pain." (chapter 21 verse 4)

Psalm 84 verses 1 and 2 "How lovely is your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!  My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."