SMC
May 17, 2026
  • The Way The Truth And The Life
  • Build My Life
  • Worthy Of It All
  • Introduction
    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
    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.
    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

    Gaining Provision in Times of Change v. 2

    Psalm 23:2 ESV
    He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
    You might not know where to go next, but there is comfort in knowing your shepherd does.
    There are many challenges that come with change.
    Discomfort (leaving what is known)
    Grief (leaving something special)
    Risk (no certainty of success)
    Mysterious (blurry future)
    Outsider (don’t feel connected)
    The shepherd has gone first to scout out the path and made sure it is safe and well supplied.
    Would you want to be on any other path? No other path has been scouted, assured safe, found to provide for our needs, or has the guidance of the shepherd.
    Being led beside still waters is not about experiencing something new, it’s the path needed to reach your final destination, the house of the LORD.
    *APPLICATION
    Because Yahweh is with me, I’m gaining provision in times of change.
    Because Yahweh is with me, I will be supplied with everything I need as He leads me into something new.
    Judges 6:13 “And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.””
    Judges 6:14 “And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?””
    The question was still waters. Yah put in Gideon a passion for God to move because that was what He wanted to do through Gideon.
    Judges 6:15 “And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.””
    Judges 6:16 “And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.””
    Yah’s presence is still water. The pressure is off of Gideon to know what to do.
    Judges 6:33 “Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel.”
    Judges 6:34 “But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.”
    Yah’s power is still waters. He will work through Gideon.

    Encountering Blessings in the Routine v. 2

    Psalm 23:2 ESV
    He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
    Much of life is being a servant of Christ where He has placed you. Don’t chase after success because success is being faithful to where Yahweh has placed you. That means chasing assumed success is being led astray.
    Recognizing the presence of Yahweh in the routine of life.
    Family
    Vocation
    Conversations
    Daily decisions
    Daily tasks
    Devotions
    *APPLICATION
    Because Yahweh is with me, I’m encountering blessings in the routine.
    Because Yahweh is with me, I can rest assured that I am cared for and supported wherever He has me.
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    What we need (to do to receive blessing)
    Deuteronomy 10:12–13 ““And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
    Fear: Restrains our wickedness
    Walk: Authentic to what we profess (justice, kindness, humility)
    Love: Holds a special place in our lives
    Serve: Do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)
    Keep: Following Yahweh’s rules (morality and calling)

    Acquiring Everything Necessary v. 1

    Psalm 23:1 ESV
    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    I may feel, anxious, stressed, afraid. I may be discouraged, angry, confused, or worried. But that doesn’t mean I’m not taken care of.
    Yahweh knows what I need and assures me, whatever it is, I will not lack it.
    Therefore, it is essential for me to focus on what I have.
    *APPLICATION
    Because Yahweh is with me, I’m acquiring everything necessary.
    Because Yahweh is with me, I am fully equipped for this phase of my life
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
    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
    Gaining Provision in Times of Change
    Encountering Blessings in the Routine
    Acquiring Everything Necessary
    Reflection
    Where are you?
    Managing with Sparse resources
    Acquiring Everything Necessary
    The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
    Going through the Normalcy of life
    Encountering Blessings in the Routine
    He makes me lie down in green pastures
    Transitioning to something new
    Gaining Provision in Times of Change
    He leads me besides still waters
    Overwhelmed with a broken spirit
    Undergoing Restoration of the Soul
    He restores my soul
    At a critical Juncture where a decision has to be made
    Receiving Guidance in Righteousness
    He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake
    Going through a valley of the shadow
    Experiencing Protection in the Valley
    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

      • Psalm 23:4ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Judges 6:13ESV

      • Judges 6:14ESV

      • Judges 6:15ESV

      • Judges 6:16ESV

      • Judges 6:33ESV

      • Judges 6:34ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Deuteronomy 10:12-13ESV

      • Psalm 23:1ESV

      • Matthew 6:33ESV

  • The Solid Rock
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