Season 4 Podcast 92 The Twenty-Third Psalm Pt. I.”
Probably every Christian is familiar with what is sometimes referred to as The Psalm of David. Considering there are 150 Psalms, to be referred to as The Psalm of David is a clue to its universal appeal. In this and the following podcast we shall attempt to show why it is so universal and so appealing. It is about Christ. It is the story of Christianity.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
I have divided the Twenty-Third Psalm into fifteen separate concepts. In this Podcast Linda and I shall discuss concepts one through four. In the next Podcast we shall discuss concepts five through fifteen.
Concept Number One: The Lord is my shepherd;
In Idaho and Wyoming shepherds are common, some with hundreds of sheep. Because of the wild wilderness terrain, shepherds are generally on horseback accompanied by several highly trained sheep dogs. The very real enemies are wolves, coyotes, cougars, and mountain lions. Out on the desert some shepherds sleep in covered wagons, exposed to the elements. Jesus, of course, is the shepherd referred to as
1. the good shepherd
2. the shepherd of Israel
3. that great shepherd of the sheep
4. Shepherd over all the earth
5. Great and true shepherd
6. Chief shepherd
David refers to the Lord as “My Shepherd.” And that is the way we should all regard him—our personal shepherd. David adds.
Concept Number Two: I shall not want.
We are very complex beings with many needs: spiritually, temporally, emotionally, financially, intellectually. We must distinguish among wants, needs, appetites, and desires. We have direct access to God through prayer. What other king offers that accessibility. We must ask ourselves which wants will the Lord supply. Here are eight concepts about prayer taken from the Holy Bible.
1. We are encouraged to Pray always
· Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, Ps. 55:17.
· Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, Matt 26:41
· Men ought always to pray, and not to faint, Luke 18:1
· We will give ourselves continually to prayer, Acts 6:4.
· Pray without ceasing, 1 Thes. 5:17
· I should sin … in ceasing to pray, 1 Sam. 12:23.
· Watch ye therefore, and pray always, Luke 21:36.
2. The Father and the Son are two separate beings. Jesus instructs us to pray directly to the Father in heaven.
· Pray to thy Father which is in secret, Matt. 6:6.
· Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask, Matt. 6:8.
· After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matthew 6:9
