Psalm 23 is the most popular, uplifting, and 


comforting Biblical passage. It is one of the 


most well-known and appreciated Psalms. 


It is possibly the most famous Psalm of optimism.

Because it goes beyond simply acknowledging


 God's protection, guidance, and blessing.


In Psalm 23, David expresses gratitude to God


 for watching over and protecting him.


The 23rd Psalm of David, recorded in the


 Old Testament of the Bible, is one of the 


most soothing prayers for the soul's sorrow.



It can help reframe, refresh, and restore our 


confidence and turn negative ideas, feelings, 


and situations around when repeated frequently.




We shall never go through anything in life that 


does not provide consolation, refreshment, 


guidance, and protection to the root feeling...


 than the simple beauty found...


in the 23rd Psalm.

Shepherds had to live with their flocks of sheep, 


guiding them across hills and valleys looking


 for new vegetation and water sources to feed 


and hydrate them.



It captures a Shepherd caring for fragile,


 defenseless sheep in a beautiful sense.



Israel was completely covered in sheep herds.


 There were few options for them to eat locally. 


As a result, flocks congregated near feeding 


sites and watering holes.




The sheep needed to identify their shepherd's



 voice in order to follow him when he called.



Shepherds trained sheep to 


respond solely to their voice.

In Psalm 23, God is described as a Good Shepherd 


Who cares for and guides His flock. It is well


 known that the Shepherd is to know each sheep by


 name; hence, when God is compared to a Shepherd,


 He is both a Protector and a Caretaker.

God promised to protect the Israelites as they 


entered the Promised Land from the nations


 that would thwart them.


"I will send My wrath ahead of you, and 


all your adversaries will flee from you."


23:27 Exodus


God is defending those whose actions were 


in agreement with His predestined intentions and


 purposes.



David's Psalms are filled with praise and 


thankfulness to God for protecting His chosen


 one from his adversaries.


Psalm 18:3, 54:7, 138:7



No matter how much power or fury David's 


foes unleashed against him, they were no


 match for God's protection.



Job's life also demonstrated God's protection.


 Despite the fact that Satan's attacks caused 


Job much suffering, it was God who 


established the line that Satan could not pass. 


Satan was only permitted to carry out the tasks


  that God assigned to him.


Job 1-3



Despite all of Job's hardships and pains, 


God was protecting him from greater harm.

We will never be in want as long as God 


is our Shepherd and Protector.


"Want" is synonymous with "Lack."

A shepherd's responsibilities included leading 


the sheep to rich green pastures where they may


 graze, protecting the flock by keeping an eye


 out for predators, and ensuring that no sheep


 gets lost or confused.


Shepherd is another term for... "Protector."

He permits me to lie down 


and rest in green pastures:

In this sense, the green pastures are tender grass 


meadows where we can rest under the 


Shepherd's careful eye (God).

He leads me beside the 


peaceful waters,

Still waters are waters that run softly 


and slowly, and they provide great calm


 and repose to the spirit.

When we yield to God's Will and His Way,


 we may be confident that He will guide us


 along the pathway that is best for us. He will 


also lead us along the finest road, one that 


aligns with His... for the sake of His honor and 


His glory.

Even when walking through the dark valley 


of death we will not be afraid, for God is


with us, guarding, and guiding us all the way.

A valley is a place surrounded by hills or 


mountains, which often cast shadows 


below. The majestic mountains are a


 metaphor for death. It's a dangerous 


place where many unpleasant things or 


"evils" occur.

We walk by faith with God 



through all of life's ups and 



downs.

We shall be led in the right 



direction by the Shepherd.


 We cannot withstand or protect ourselves on


 our own in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.


 But because of our faith in God, we can very


 well endure all of life's ups and downs.

God's protection is certain and trustworthy


 because He promises His people, "I will never


 leave you nor forsake you."

God's rod and staff... they bring us solace.

In John 10:11, Jesus stated, 


"I am the Good Shepherd." 



The Good Shepherd sacrifices 



His life for His flock.

We are the sheep of His pasture. 


God will protect us, provide for us, give us food, 


give us shelter, and gently correct us when we go


 astray.

God knows how to create a feast 


for His own.

Even when our foes are nearby, God may 


make arrangements for us to be seated at a


 lovely banquet table where we may feast, even in the


 presence of devils from hell; but the enemy


 will not be able to touch or harm us while we


 are under God's Divine protection.



God is demonstrating to our adversaries how


 He treats His anointed. God has graciously 


accepted us as His guests. We can dine, relax, 


and enjoy the buffet in peace.

Our heads have been anointed with oil by God.


"Anointment" is a sacred act of setting a person 

apart and and making him holy. It is symbolized 

by rubbing oil on the individual.

You rub oil on my head speaks to God's 


work of restoring David's heart, especially 


in light of the impending threat of enemies.


The words "You anoint my head with oil" 


also reflected David's gladness in heart.


Other passages in the Bible associate oil with


 gladness.


Isaiah 61:3; Hebrews 1:9


Shepherds often anointed sheep to keep


 off dangerous bugs. God keeps us safe from 


things that would harm us.

Our cups are overflowing 


with blessings!

God not only supplies enough, 



but He provides more than enough.


God supplies what we need, and God always 


provides more... literally, pressed down, 


shaken together, and overflowing.



When our cups are overflowing, we can be


 as generous as our Father. We can use the 


surplus He has given us... to bless others.

God's "Goodness and mercy” 


are part of our inheritance.


Psalm 23:6

In times of suffering and grief, 


the 23rd Psalm is frequently quoted.


The 23rd Psalm is commonly quoted in times


 of sorrow and bereavement. This Psalm has 


pushed many people who have experienced


 personal catastrophes to have promise... for a 


morning of pleasure.

 The 23rd Psalm addresses 



both life and to death.

Throughout their sorrowful nights, 


many mourners found 


consolation in...



 the 23rd Psalm.



The 23rd Psalm has unparalleled insight,


beauty, strength, and comfort. 

The 23rd Psalm encourages reflection on the


 profound and unavoidable reality of our own


 mortality while also assisting us in better 


understanding and accepting the loss of our 


loved ones.


The 23rd Psalm assures us that



 with God as our Shepherd, we 



have everything we need for life



 and death.

God's protection is certain and trustworthy


 because He guarantees His people, "I will never


 leave you nor forsake you."



Be fearless and strong. Do not be afraid or


 afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with 


you.


 He will not leave or forsake you."




No man shall be able to stand before you all


 the days of your life, according to 


Deuteronomy 31:6.



I will be with you just as I was with Moses. I will


 not leave or forsake you.



"Be strong and courageous, and finish the work,"


 says Joshua 1:5.


Do not be afraid or disheartened, because 


the Lord, my God, is with you. He will not 


abandon you or fail you.


1Chronicles 28:20;


“I will never leave you 


nor forsake you.”


Hebrews 13:5


So even if the words of the 23rd Psalm do not ring 


true for you... just repeating the words and thinking 


about them, can help them to come alive for you.

God cares about all of our needs!

God provides all of our requirements



 because He is our Shepherd. 



We have everything we need!


With God as our Shepherd, we 


shall be cared for, loved, and 


our needs shall be met.

We, like the sheep, require a


Shepherd. Sheep are defenseless


creatures who stray off and 


become lost.

The sheep are weak, naive, and completely 


reliant on God. God performs the duty of Shepherd 


by protecting the sheep. As a result, the sheep 


"shall not want."


We will not go hungry... 


THAT IS SUPPLY!


We, like the sheep, cannot exist without a 


shepherd for long. We, too, rely entirely on


 God to shepherd, protect, and care for us.


The Shepherd takes great care to keep


 the sheep safe. That implies...


RELATIONSHIP!


We follow the Good Shepherd



when we recognize Him!

As the Lord is the Good Shepherd, we are His


 sheep: not fearful or passive, but obedient


 followers, wise enough to follow the One Who 


will guide us to the right places and in the


 right ways.

When we accept God to be our Shepherd, we 

are content... because we are safe in His arms 

and liberated of all concerns.

God's protection is...


unparalleled.

Let us put our faith in our Father 


and hearken to His voice.

There is an abundance of blessings in God.


Everything we need is found in God... 


and with God.

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