TWENTY-THIRD PSALM

Verse 1

Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 12/28/2022

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”     (Ps 23:1).

King David could identify with this Psalm because he was a shepherd in his past life. In many circles being a shepherd was a ‘low’ occupation but among those who owned herds of sheep, it was an extremely important job. David compares the Lord to a Shepherd who provides everything. He surrenders completely to the LORD and in this verse, he states that he belongs to the LORD.   A sheep is a possession.

• The LORD is capitalized in the Old Testament and there is a lot written about that. After reading through the entire Bible numerous times, I personally, cannot tell you the exact reason it is capitalized however, it is of extreme importance. “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:11).  GOD said it, and I believe it.

• David uses the phrase “my shepherd” and not ‘the shepherd’. Again, he is letting all know that he is ‘owned’ by the LORD. In some defintions the word Lord indicates an overseer or ‘boss’.  Like us today, the Lord is our boss. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Note that Jesus says we belong to Him. That is ‘ownership’.   We have two choices:  Belong to Jesus or to this world.

• I shall not want:  The LORD is our Provider. There is nothing we need that the LORD hasn’t provided if we trust Him. Why should any of us look elsewhere?  As a man who has received Jesus decades ago, I have made that mistake only to find out the God gives me what I need.  Sometimes we need to be still and wait on Him. “Be still, and know that I am God:” (Ps 46:10).  God will take care of us.   “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).  He has ‘sealed’ us: “in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph 1:13b).  So if we belong to Him, we have all that we need since our relationship with God is sealed within us.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”
Satisfied with what the Lord gives us without complaint.

Thanks for “Taking 5" • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD

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Christmas Day
Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • December 2016

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace"  (Isaiah 9:6).

Let’s turn off the television – and the fancy I-pads too
Let’s dust off the family Bible – Invite a friend or maybe two
Let’s spend the day just thanking – our Lord and God above
For bringing us salvation – and sending Jesus out of love

Let’s ask Him for forgiveness – for all the mistakes we’ve made this year
And ask Him just to help us – repent of all, in fear
Let’s honor Him in prayer and song – and lift His name on high
And love our neighbor, as ourselves – Our time is drawing nigh

Let’s hold our loved ones closer – than we ever did before
And start a new tradition –  He may be knocking at your door
Put up all the santas, the reindeer and the sleighs,
And raise our hands, and honor Christ – let’s start on Christmas Day

Thank You Jesus!

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:6

Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD

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