Psalm 23: Living Beyond Lack! | Part 2 – How to Live Blessed Instead of Stressed!

Psalm 23:1 (NIV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

Ezekiel 34:20-22 (MSG)
GOD, the Master, says: “I myself am stepping in and making things right between the plump sheep and the skinny sheep. ²¹ Because you … butted at all the weaker animals with your horns till you scattered them all over the hills, ²² I’ll come in and save my dear flock, no longer let them be pushed around. I’ll step in and set things right between one sheep and another.

[1] Our Good Shepherd Helps Us — To

R — Realize my

Luke 12:6-7 (NLT)

(Jesus asks) – “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them … don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Luke 12:27-29 (MSG)
Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers … the ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. ²⁸ If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? ²⁹ What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving.

E — what I already have!

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (GN)

All of us should … enjoy what we have … it is God’s gift.

Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

L — my labor!

Ecclesiastes 10:15 (GN)

Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.

Psalm 23 (Workaholic Paraphrase)

The Lord is my Pace Setter, I shall not rush. He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness, which restores my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency, through calmness of mind; and his guidance is peace. Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for his presence is here. His timelessness, his all-importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
by anointing my head with his oils of tranquility, my cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord, and dwell in his house for ever.

A — Adjust my

Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT)
I once thought these things were valuable (religious pedigree, position, power) but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. ⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

X — eXchange my worries for God’s

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

[2] Our Good Shepherd Helps Us – To

John 7:37-39 (CEV)

On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! ³⁸ Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” ³⁹ Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him.

We “keep drinking living water” by –

• Seeking to know Jesus, more and more! (Philippians 3:10)

• Relying on his divine power/abilities, more and more! (Acts 1:4,8)

• Pursuing God’s purposes for every area of our life, more and more!