Psalms 23:1 (NKJV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The 23rd Psalm The Secret of Satisfaction Psalms 23:1 (NKJV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

The Secret of Satisfaction Most look for satisfaction in the wrong things – The more they try to satisfy their WANTS – the more dissatisfied they become – There is but one way that a person can find true satisfaction in life - Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

The Secret of Satisfaction Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV) 1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

The Secret of Satisfaction Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV) 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

The Secret of Satisfaction Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV) 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “The Lord is” - Our view of God must be right – His nature – (power, knowledge, presence, greatness, holiness, goodness, faithfulness, love, long-suffering, righteousness, just, hatred for sin . . .) Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “The Lord is” - Our view of God must be right – “My Shepherd” – Our relationship with God must be right – The one who leads me – The one whom I follow The one who feeds me – the one whom I depend The one who protects me – the one whom I stay close to – Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “The Lord is” - Our view of God must be right – “My Shepherd” – Our relationship with God must be right – Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). He is also called the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20) And “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “The Lord is” - Our view of God must be right – “My Shepherd” – Our relationship with God must be right – “I shall not want” – Confident I will be provided my needs In Christ I am provided with every spiritual blessing – (Eph 1:3) God has given me all things that pertain to life and godliness – (2 Pet 1:3) Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “ . . . The idea is, that the wants of the soul are met and satisfied, and that, in the full enjoyment of this, there is the conviction of abundance - the repose of the soul at present satisfied, and feeling that in such abundance want will always be unknown.” - Barnes Psalms 23:2 (NKJV) 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “He makes me” – by providing our needs – Mat. 6:25-34 “lie down in green pastures” – He provides rest in the midst of abundance – Ps. 46:10; John 10:10 Are you at rest in the Lord? Psalms 23:2 (NKJV) 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “He leads me” – not into harm – but to what I really need – Ps 143:10; John 10:27-29 “beside the still waters” – in the absence of fear I can drink with confidence from the water of life – Heb 13:6; Mt 11:28-31; Rev 21:6; 22:17 this denotes the calmness - the peace - the repose of the soul, when salvation flows as in a gently running stream; when there is no apprehension of want; when the heart is at; peace with God. Psalms 23:2 (NKJV) 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “He restores my soul” – through forgiveness – Ps. 119:176; Mat 18:12,13; 1 Pet 1:22,23; 2:25; “He leads me in the paths of righteousness” – through His revelation – Ps. 143:8-10; Rom. 1:16.17; 2 Tim 3:16,17 “For His names sake” – For His glory - Eph. 1:6 For his name’s sake - To display the glory of his grace, and not on account of any merit in me. God’s motives of conduct towards the children of men are derived from the perfections and goodness of his own nature. Psalms 23:3 (NKJV) 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” – the valleys of life: disappointment, serious illness, loneliness, age, death, – Ps 27:1-4; Rom 8:28-39; 2 Cor. 4:8-5:2 “I will fear no evil” – Is. 41:10; Mat 10:28; Heb 13:5,6; Rev. 2:10 Psalms 23:4 (NKJV) 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “For You are with me” – If we are with God – God will ALWAYS be with us – Heb. 13:5; Rom 8:31; John 10:28-30 “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” – Speaks of divine protection – 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Pet. 1:5; 2 Pet. 2:9; James 1:1-4; 5:11 Psalms 23:4 (NKJV) 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “You prepare a table before me” – The Lord provides sustenance for our souls – John 6:44-51; 8:51; 1 Pet 2:1; Heb 5:12,13 “in the presence of my enemies” – God provides for us in spite of what others may do to destroy us – 1 Pet. 4:12-19 Psalms 23:5 (NKJV) 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “You anoint my head with oil” – indicative of the divine favor and encouragement – Mat. 10:22; Luke 21:16-19; 2 Cor. 12:9,10 “My cup runs over” – indicates abundance – God richly pours His blessings out on us - John 10:10; Eph 3:20 Psalms 23:5 (NKJV) 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “Surely goodness and mercy” – speaks of God’s loving care, protection & comfort with all confidence – Ps 103:17; 1 Pet 5:7; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor 1:3,4 “All the days of my life” – Through all its changes; in every variety of situation; until I reach its close - Acts 14:22; Heb 12:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:18 Psalms 23:6 (NKJV) 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever” – (Lit. To length of days) “The expression . . . does not refer to eternity or to heaven, but it is parallel with the former expression ‘All the days of my life’” – Barnes A statement of commitment – Ps. 27:4; 26:8; Josh. 24:15; Psalms 23:6 (NKJV) 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. How do we view God? Have we found rest in His provisions? Have we received His forgiveness and guidance? Have we found His comfort, peace, & protection in the midst of danger and trouble? Have we accepted the innumerable blessings God provides? Will you make the rest of your life – the best of your life? Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Secret of Satisfaction 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Is The Lord Your Shepherd? Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009

Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 8, 2009