SMC
May 10, 2026
  • Faithful Still
  • Jesus Thank You
  • Introduction
    Preaching the message until it is lived out
    Psalm 23:4 ESV
    Even 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.
    CONNECTION
    You are with me
    Central focus of the Psalm
    Immanence of God (in addition to transcendence)
    TAKE HOME
    Yahweh’s presence pervades the full range of human circumstances, addressing the extensive array of spiritual and physical needs.
    APPLICATION
    Yahweh’s presence pervades the full range of human circumstances, addressing the extensive array of spiritual and physical needs.
    MESSAGE FOCUS
    What we have learned from Psalm 23 about the presence of Yahweh.
    Because Yahweh is with me, I’m . . .
    Experiencing Protection in the Valley
    Receiving Guidance in Righteousness
    Undergoing Restoration of the Soul
    Gaining Provision in Times of Change
    Encountering Blessings in the Routine
    Acquiring Everything Necessary

    Experiencing Protection in the Valley v. 4

    Psalm 23:4 ESV
    Even 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.
    Psalm 139:7–12 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”
    *IMPLEMENTATION

    #1 Call on Him

    Psalm 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
    Yahweh is near us all, but we will sense His rod and staff as we call out to Him.
    Sometimes it takes a need for us to realize His nearness.
    James 4:2 “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.”
    Truth- Consistency in profession (not relying on another).
    Psalm 24:4 “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.”
    He sees the heart, and he will act towards us as we are, and not as we profess to be. Albert Barnes

    #2 Fear Him

    Psalm 145:19 “He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them."
    Awe leading to reverence and submission (not obedience in perfection, but will)

    # 3 Love Him

    Psalm 145:20 “The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”
    Love is not always warm and fuzzy. It doesn’t always give you butterflies and make you skip across the room like you did when your first crush told you he or she loved you. Love comes with a cost. Love causes you to place your wants, desires, wishes, and comfort second--behind the wants, desires, wishes, and comfort of the one you’re strive to love. Rob Bentz

    Receiving Guidance in Righteousness v. 3

    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
    *IMPLEMENTATION

    #1 Hear Shepherd's Voice

    John 10:3 “To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
    Create space for God's guidance by quieting your thoughts and allowing yourself to be receptive to His voice.

    #2 Know Shepherd's Voice

    John 10:4 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
    What do these passages communicate about Yahweh?
    The more you understand about Him, the better you will know His voice.

    #3 Follow The Shepherd

    John 10:4 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
    Applying God’s teaching, correction, and righteousness to our thoughts and actions.
    Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

    Undergoing Restoration of the Soul v. 3

    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    *APPLICATION
    Genesis 21:15–16 “When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.”

    #1 God Speaks

    Genesis 21:17 “And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.”

    #2 Encouragement

    Genesis 21:17 “And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.”

    #2 Enlightenment

    Genesis 21:19 “Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”
    Summary
    Yahweh’s presence pervades the full range of human circumstances, addressing the extensive array of spiritual and physical needs.
    Because Yahweh is with me, I’m . . .
    Experiencing Protection in the Valley
    Receiving Guidance in Righteousness
    Undergoing Restoration of the Soul
    Reflection
    Text

      • Psalm 23:4ESV

      • Psalms 139:7-10ESV

      • Psalms 139:11-12ESV

      • Psalm 145:18ESV

      • James 4:2ESV

      • Psalm 24:4ESV

      • Psalm 145:19ESV

      • Psalm 145:20ESV

      • Jeremiah 29:13ESV

      • John 10:3ESV

      • John 10:4ESV

      • John 10:4ESV

      • Hebrews 5:14ESV

      • Genesis 21:15–16ESV

      • Genesis 21:15-16ESV

      • Genesis 21:17ESV

      • Genesis 21:17ESV

      • Genesis 21:19ESV

    • Made For More
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