God Provides – Psalm 23

1. Read: Genesis 22:7-14

2. About the Text:

1) As a test, God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.

2) When Isaac asked where the lamb was going to come from, Abraham told him, “God will provide.”

3) After the Lord stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, there was a ram caught in a thicket.

4) God provided for Abraham and Isaac.

5) Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yirah – God will provide.

3. A Sheep in God’s Flock

1) We think back to Abraham because this illustrates exactly what it means to be a sheep in God’s flock: God provides.

2) Let’s look at Psalm 23 with the thought of God providing in mind.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The LORD is my Shepherd.

1) Yahweh – the Great I AM – this is no ordinary shepherd.

2) He is capable of providing when other shepherds fail.

3) Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58).

4) Read John 10:11-17.

5) He truly cares for the sheep because they are His.

2. I shall not want.

1) This means that the shepherd will not allow His flock to lack of anything.

2) He will provide for them.

3) Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

4) Matthew 6:33

5) He truly supplies what the sheep need.

3. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.

1) He gives the sheep comfortable rest.

2) Consider John 8:31-32 – He sets them free.

3) Consider Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me . . . .”

4) He provides true rest.

4. He leads me beside still waters.

1) Still water is an image of peace and tranquility.

2) Phil.4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

3) 1 Peter 5:7 – “casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.”

1. He restores my soul.

1) He brings it back to its natural state of fellowship with its creator.

2) 2 Corinthians 5:18 “But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;”

3) This is refreshing comfort.

2. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake.

1) He provides guidance for the journey.

2) Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 119:105

3) This is the comfort of sureness.

3. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

1) He has overcome death.

2) Hebrews 2:14 “Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”

3) This is comfort from eternal separation.

4. For you are with me.

1) He is present.

2) Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

3) This is personal comfort.

5. Your rod and your staff comfort me.

1) He disciplines and protects.

2) Hebrews 12:6-7 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

3) This is the comfort of safety.

1. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

1) God acknowledges those who are His even to one’s enemies.

2) Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

3) This is the communion of acknowledgment.

2. You anoint my head with oil.

1) God anointed those that He approved as His own choice.

2) Prophets, priests, and kings were all anointed as a divine sign of approval.

3) We have been chosen by God through Christ (Ephesians 1:4).

4) Anointing was also a symbol of gladness and health (Hebrews 1:9, James 5:14).

5) This is the communion of approval.

3. My cup overflows.

1) For one’s cup to overflow means one is blessed beyond measure.

2) We have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

3) This is the communion of blessing.

1. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

1) When one understands the care, comfort, and communion of God, one will be confident.

2) The psalmist says “Surely!”

3) There is no doubt as to his knowledge of God’s love for him.

4) Romans 8:31-34, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

5) Knowing the goodness and mercy of God brings confidence.

2. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

1) One will also be confident as to his identity in relationship to the Lord.

2) To dwell in the house of the Lord is to be an eternal child of God.

3) Galatians 4:4-7, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

4) Being in the Lord’s house we have confidence that we are in His family.

1. Being a sheep in God’s flock means that God provides . . .

1) Care

2) Comfort

3) Communion

4) Confidence

2. Invitation