Living Free of Anxiousness - Psalm 23, Taking Comfort in His Care

Living free of anxiousness: Psalm 23, taking comfort in His careI. Psalm 23: A psalm for the living.23:1-Jesus fulfills the Shepherd’s role-beyond expectations. See John 10:11.David is credited for writing this psalm when he was young as a shepherd boy. He served his father Jesse as he watched over the sheep near Bethlehem.Psalm 19 also fits this category.Psalm 23 and 19are two psalms to cultivate in the people the heart of a“giant-killer.Psalm 23:2 -Greek word of love is “agape”: means to lead like a shepherd and to rest. So, Jesus is perfect love who leads us to place our trust in him: our true rest. Waters in Hebrew: resting place. This is a place free of fear and worry.Psalm 23:3-weary soul is human need; life is drained out of us. David found that God restores the soul.Righteousness-sheep would circle their way up the hills to go up higher; theyeventually form a path that keeps leading them up higher-to safer ground.This is called “circular paths of righteousness.Each step we take, following Jesus, leads us up higher to a new place: one ofsafety.Psalm 23:4-David aware of the Lord with him, the key to his provision. Joshua1:5-9. David turns to praise: “You are with me....”Psalm 23:5-oil is Holy Spirit: his power and blessing; can be seen as the awareness of being children of God through baptism and confirmation: two different kinds of anointings. David talks about “empowered” or strengthening. Oil symbolizes abundance and joy.Psalm 23:6-Mercy is unfailing, steadfast: his covenant love with us. This in NT is grace. See John 1:16-17.in this psalm appeals to you?about this psalm would form the heart of a “giant-killer?”3. Take time to pray over each verse in this psalm. Let the Lord reveal Himself to you.