The last sermon I preached....Whoo! It's been a while now!

PSALM 23
8-3-08 @ VICC


Read Psalm, PRAY

1) "Of David" = written by David

2) Scholars - a "Song of Confidence" or "Song of Trust"

3) Because of Jesus' words, "I am the good shepherd," this Psalm easily draws our eyes to Jesus.

4) This psalm naturally divides into three stanzas -

vv. 1-3
v. 4
vv. 5-6

First Stanza

vv. 1-3 READ

1) LORD = the covenant name
When Jesus took the title of Good Shepherd, He undoubtedly had passages like this mind, and was therefore taking upon Himself a title reserved for God.

2) Notice SUBJECT/OBJECT of these verses

LORD - subject
David - object

example: Timmy threw the ball.

God is the one taking action in these verses, not David.

3) "…for His name's sake…" = We are both SAVED and SANCTIFIED by GOD HIMSELF for HIS OWN GLORY.
God leads us through our lives, and brings us glory to glory, and leads us into and through and back out of suffering for HIS OWN GLORY.
When we examine our lives, while we may see a long life of ups and downs we cannot deny a definite DIRECTION in our knowledge of God and His ways.
God has brought us thus far. HE WILL COMPLETE WHAT HE STARTED!

What confidence in God! There is no place for fear here!!!

Second Stanza

v. 4 - Read

1) Here David becomes the subject of the sentence for a moment, BUT LOOK AT WHAT THE PASSAGE SAYS! (…even if…..I won't fear…..for YOU are with me)
and the subject is again God and His attributes, with David becoming the object once more.

2) "valley of the shadow of death" (or "valley of deep darkness")

Job - used this statement as an idiom for death.
David - "Even if I die, I will fear no evil" (???)
Usually this statement is taken to be a reference to suffering or a time of darkness.

It has been said "the coward dies a thousand deaths." If we were to ask the Apostle Paul, he would tell us "the Christian dies a thousand deaths."
- death by way of self denial
- death through disappointment
- death of our own self-righteousness and self-reliance
- death of our own sense of wisdom and knowledge
- death with Jesus on the cross - "I am crucified with Christ"

So whether we are facing the possibility of physical death or one of the many deaths along the way in our life with Jesus, we - like David - can have the confidence that indeed "God is with us."

Third Stanza

vv. 5-6, Read

1) Again, God is the subject of almost every statement. "You….you…."

2) "…a table in the presence…"
- In the face of enemies like Saul or the Philistines - or even death - David is not only PROTECTED but PAMPERED! God prepares a feast for him!
- For Christians our enemy is Satan, the Accuser of the Brethren, the roaring lion.

In the face of such enemies, God invites us to feast with Him - to rest and "be not afraid." Like in communion, where we are told to come and feast with one another on the sacrifice of Jesus not fearing the devil or our even own sinfulness, we can sit down with God and have no fear of those things we fear might hurt us.

3) "You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows"
David is being treated as an honored guest. This is how an honored guest would be treated at a feast. God is treating DAVID this way!!! GOD is honoring DAVID! Wow!
This is the same kind of picture as we see in Jesus when He washes His disciples' feet.

4) "Surely goodness and mercy…all the days…"
David is CONFIDENT in God's continuing grace.

5) "I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever!"

David, who has just pictured himself being treated to a feast right in front of his enemies, sees himself as GOD'S PERMANENT HONORED GUEST!
in the HOUSE OF THE LORD….

- Tabernacle (looking back to the past)
- Temple (looking forward to David's dream, which he would not be allowed to fulfill himself)
- The Heavens

If we look at the Heavens as "the House of the LORD" it becomes clear that it is a place of WORSHIP!
David is saying "I will worship the LORD forever!"
What's more, David will worship the LORD as THE LORD'S HONORED HOUSE GUEST and AS A GUEST AT GOD'S TABLE!!!!
And so will we.