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PSALM 23

I. GOD AS SHEPHERD.
        A. I shall not want.
                1. For provision.
                        a. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures."
                2. Refreshing.
                        a. "He leadeth me beside the still waters.."
                3. Strength.
                        a. "He restoreth my soul."
        B. My every need provided by my tender Shepherd.
                1. David wrote this Psalm, a little over 3,000 years ago. There stood on
                   earth one who said: "I am the Good Shepherd."
                2. Inference is I might want otherwise.
                        a. Others with more money than I, want.
                        b. Others wiser than I want.

II. GOD AS GUIDE "HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS"
        A. The uncertain paths of life.
                1. Not having the capacity to discern the future, how important
                   that "He leads me."
                2. How thankful I am in hour of indecision. "God guide me."
        B. The certain path of life.
                1. Ultimately leads to valley of shadow of death.
                        a. "Walk." - No hesitation as though uncertain. No hastening as in
                           fear or panic.
                        b. "Through the valley."
                        c. "Shadow of death" - death stands beside the path and casts his
                           shadow over it. The shadow indicates light shadow comes from
                           light shining on other side.
                        d. Never is His presence more perceptible, knowing the shepherd
                           is the guide. We walk even this path without fear. He is
                           with met.
                        e. Rod & staff a comfort.

III. GOD AS HOST.
        A. Preparing a table before me.
                1. Sustenance.
                2. Even in face of my enemies.
        B. Anointing my head with oil.
                1. Oil of gladness.
        C. Cup running over.
                1. Abundance in everything I need.
        D. "Surely Goodness & mercy" -- two qualities personified attendants waiting on me.
           Following all the days of my life.

And then at the end of my life when my earthly pilgrimage is over "I shall dwell in the
house of the Lord forever" "In my Father's house are many dwelling places."

Presently we too shall go beyond the pastures of tender grass, past the still waters that
restored our souls & sustained us in love. Out beyond the guidance that was necessary to
keep our feet on the path of righteousness. We will be away from our enemies, but never
away from our Shepherd, our Guide, our Host. For I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.

The Lord is our Shepherd, we shall not want The Lord is our Guide, we shall be led rightly
The Lord is our Host, we shall dwell in His palace by and by.

What is death to the one who knows God as his shepherd. Certainly not the grim reaper
that would tear our loved ones away from us; but it is only the shadow that falls across
our path on the way to our Father's house.

Jesus said "In my Father's house are many".. He brings us into His banqueting house & His
banner over us is Love.

We are not yet beyond the place where we are surrounded by enemies but He prepares a table
before us. While we are still engaged in this warfare, He anoints our heads with oil. He
gives songs in the night. All the way He is Host, but the Host is the King, so "my cup
runneth over."

Presently we shall go on beyond the pastures of tender grass, the still waters that have
restored & sustained us here. On beyond the driving discipline that has kept our feet in
the path of righteousness. We will be beyond our enemies, but never away from our
Shepherd, Guide & Host for "I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever."
                The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want
                The Lord is my guide I shall be led right,
                The Lord is my Host I shall dwell in
                His palace by and by.