Psalm 23 - Lesson 3 sample

by Glenn Davis
(Prince George, B.C.)

Note: There is no right or wrong format for recording your devotional reading. Record it as best suits you. This is how I did it this time. Students - do not read this until after you have posted your own Lesson 3.

Summary of Psalm 23

God looks after me and cares for me. He is generous in His provision and brings healing to my wounds. He teaches me how to live a holy life. He does this because of the glory of His name. It doesn't matter how black the circumstances may be, He is with me, protecting me, guiding me, and comforting me. No enemy can stand before me. God Himself upholds me. He is my reward. I will be with him forever.

The = there is only one Lord. Not "a" but the one and only.

Lord = Lord is One Who is in control, who requires obedience, our God is Lord, not a suggestion Maker, not a distant God, but a present Commander

Is = present state, not was my shepherd, not will be my shepherd when I have my act together, but is my shepherd. He IS. It does not have to be waited for or earned. It doesn't matter what my circumstances are, He is my shepherd

My = Although He has many sheep, He is My shepherd. He has special watchful care and relationship with me - which is also true of all His sheep. I do not get lost in the crowd. He is MY shepherd. Just as He owns me, I also ?own? Him. He is My shepherd. I only have one.

Shepherd = Jesus watches over me. He cares for me. He is responsible for me and will correct me when I stray. He will protect me from enemies. I am safe in His care.

I = me, personally, God is providing for.

Shall not be = it is never going to happen, there is nothing that can remove me from the care of my shepherd. No force is that powerful...not ever

In want = God will provide all my needs. He does not promise to provide all my wants, but He will see to all my needs. This means that I have everything that God knows I need at this present time. I may not have all I would like to have, but I have all I need. If I think I am in financial lack then God may be wanting to teaching me better money management or I may be learning from the consequences of past bad decisions. Borrowing to buy consumer goods is taking for myself something that God has not given. I need to learn to be satisfied with what God gives - to live within my means - for under His care I shall not be in lack. This includes the entire life. I will not be in lack spiritually, mentally, financially, socially, sexually, in health or in any other way.

He makes = God is in control. I do not have to be afraid of outside forces. God makes my life. His is the plan, the purpose, the control, and the ultimate success.

me = The God who runs the universe is interested in me personally. He has a personal care and watchfulness for me. I am important to Him.

lie down = I can be at rest. I do not have to be worried or upset over the circumstances or events of life. I can lie down and be at peace for my Shepherd is watching over me for my good.

in = I get to experience the good things of God. I don't lie down beside the green pastures and watch others enjoy them. I, myself, lie down in them. They are for me, too.

green = healthy, full of life. God does not skimp. He is not a miser. He is not looking for how little He can give, but for how much. Green pastures, the best. It may not always seem like the best from my perspective, but I can rest in the fact that it is the best for my life at this time.

pastures = nutritious, delicious food. God is the Provider spiritually and in all areas of life.

He leads = Jesus is a true Leader. He doesn't have to drive His flock and yell at them to go in the right direction. He leads and we follow.

leads me = God doesn't just lead the pastor or some "super saints." He leads me. No matter how small or weak I may be, no matter how many times I fail or get lost, He leads me. He shows me the way. His eye is on me.

beside = He doesn't try to take me into the water, into the places that I cannot go. No, He knows my needs and fears and leads me where I can go.

quiet waters = He knows I will be thirsty but cannot drink from a fast-moving stream, He searches out or makes quiet waters. I can rest and have my needs met. It is the quiet times with God that grow our relationship with Him. In the heat of battle we learn of His strength and power, but by the quiet waters we learn of His care and provision, We learn of Him as Lover, not only Warrior.

He restores = It is God who performs the action. God restores. It is not something I can do myself. God is the Author and Finisher. He is the Mover.

Restores = Through the battles, struggles, and disappointments of life, I get worn down, discouraged, want to give up, but Jesus restores. He gives me back my hope, my dreams, my desires. He brings things back to their original condition. He erases the damage and restores. A restored item looks as good or better than when it starts out. Nothing can ultimately hurt me because Jesus restores me. I may get knock down, beat up, scared, but Jesus restores me.

My = Again we see that this is not just a general statement. I am not an exception to the rule. Jesus cares for me personally. It is my soul that gets restored.

Restores my soul = my mind needs to be restored. It is buffeted and tortured all day in the world by seeing evil acts and hearing evil words. They tare me now, drain my energy, make me seem hopeless and helpless, make me feel dirty. My mind can be numbed and corrupted. I come to Jesus, He restores my soul. He washes me and makes me new again. I am renewed. I am refreshed. I am ready for battle again. But I must come to Jesus and spend time with Him to be restored. If I am too busy, restoration cannot happen and I will continued an uphill struggle day after day without renewed strength and energy.

He guides me = The action, again, begins with God. He is the Shepherd, He guides me. He doesn't drive me in the direction I should go. He doesn't yell and shout. He doesn't beat me. No, He guides me. He gives me directions. He lets me know the right way so I can make right choices. His guidance is gentle. If I am not quiet, not focused, I might not even hear it. Sometimes His guidance is so gentle that I do not even know it until I look back and see how He has directed my steps.

In paths = A path is a worn trail. I am not a trailblazer. Others have gone before. Others have marked the way for me. The word of God itself is the greatest trail marker and path maker. I can draw encouragement from the fact that many others have successfully faced what I must face - and worse. They have done it and I can too by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Of righteousness = These paths are not random. God wants a holy people. A people who do life right. So Jesus guides me in paths of righteousness - right living. By following Him I learn right from wrong and do right. I have to be prepared to have my ideas of right and wrong shaken. Jesus is the standard. Only He can lead in the way of righteousness. I cannot determine them for myself. I must follow where the Shepherd leads. Obedience and submission are the keys to my life.

For His name's sake = I am not the center. This isn't ultimately about me. I am not the center of the universe. Jesus is the center. His actions bring glory and honour to His Name. It is a Name worth more than the universe. I am honoured that His compassionate work and guidance in my life brings Him glory. That is how it should be.

Even though I walk = I walk. I do not run. God is not in a rush. He is at peace. I can be at peace. I can walk. I can rest. I do not need to worry or be stressed. God is in control. I can smell the flowers along the way.

Through = I do not stop in the valley. There are times that I must travel through it, but I go through. I do not camp and get lost in despair. I keep moving. I don't have to run, but I do not stop and wallow in self-pity either. I keep moving.

The valley of the shadow of death = As I follow in the paths of righteousness there will be deep, hurtful places I must pass through. It may seem as if death itself has overwhelmed me. I may be pressed on every side. All hope may seem to be lost. But I keep moving. The Shepherd will again bring me into the Sonshine. I will again see the green pastures and quiet waters. I cannot give up in the hard times, they will help fashion me into the person God wants me to be.

I will fear no evil = The enemy may throw all kinds of circumstances, situations, and people at me. He may even plant thoughts in my mind, I will not be afraid. I have a Shepherd Who will allow no evil to befall me. Even though my eyes and senses may be screaming the opposite, I can walk in confidence. No evil can touch me. My God is greater than all the power of evil. What they mean for evil and my destruction, my Shepherd can turn to good and use to build me life and the lives of others.

For You are with me = The reason I can go through all of this without fear is that Jesus is with me. I may not feel Him there in the dark days but by faith I know He is there. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Nothing can separate us, not even death itself.

In this verse we switch from talking about Jesus to talking to Jesus. We go from "He" to "You."

Your rod and Your staff = The Shepherd's tool for protecting His flock and for correcting He wayward ones.

They comfort me = I am secure knowing both that no one can harm me and that Jesus will protect me even from myself. If my desires begin to lead me astray from the paths of righteousness, He will guide me back. I do not need to live in fear of Jesus, but live in love of Him.