A Little Closer Look at Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1-6 “A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever”

The 23rd Psalm is probably the most read and quoted Psalm in the collection of Psalms. Poetic in nature and the expression of the writer’s heart during times of trials, temptations, conflicts, and victories, the Psalms have provided much encouragement in our times of life’s struggles and has inspired great worship in times of God’s divine providence.

Although the 23rd Psalm is only 6 verses long it contains a number of attributes of our great God and the blessings of a life living for Him!

The Lord is my Shepherd – that's a Relationship!

I shall not want – that's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – that's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters – that's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul – that's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – that's Guidance!

For His name sake – that's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – that's

Testing!

I will fear no evil – that's Protection!

For Thou art with me – that's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – that's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine

Enemies – that's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil – that's Consecration!

My cup runneth over – that's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my

Life – that's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – that's Security!

Forever – that's Eternity!

Wow! What an impact this Psalm is when we look just a little closer as to its meaning and importance in our lives. We can find strength today in this Psalm and other wonderful scriptures that God has so masterfully given to us! Our hope is in the Lord and his great and exceeding precious promises.

Truly the LORD is my Shepherd and I am so thankful that I can have a beautiful relationship with Him!

God’s blessing to all today,

Pastor Ken Winkler

One Desire

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock."  Psalms 27:4-5

We all have many wants and desires for things in the natural, hoping they will give some amount of gratification. Yet the riches of this world, never bring a true happiness in life. Don’t get me wrong - I don’t want to surrender all my nice “things,” but I also don’t put much confidence in them.

There is one “thing” more valuable to me than anything else. Being in the House of the Lord, with my brothers and sisters. Over a month into the restrictions on group gatherings, I’m ready to be back together with the Saints of the Lord! Even more valuable than the benefits of being with the Saints though, is continually dwelling in His presence. That is where I find my peace, protection and comfort. “For in the times of trouble he shall hide me...” What a promise.

We don’t have to be concerned about the storm, if we’re dwelling with the Lord. We don’t need to worry and stress over crisis, if we have the Lord. We can be assured that All things work together for good, to those who love God and to the called according to His purpose.

Even greater still, all of the peace and protection He affords us is not just found in the church building. Paul wrote "...for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."  2 Corinthians 6:16. My one desire, my one thing I cannot do without, is abiding with the Lord. I want to be a temple He is willing to dwell in. Not only will this get me on the road to Heaven, but it gives me peace, comfort and protection all along the journey.

If you’re finding yourself lacking peace right now, make sure of your dwelling place. Build up yourself, on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Be renewed in the Holy Ghost often, make your temple open for the Lord to dwell in, keep a short account with God and let Him be your strength.

When the Prophet Daniel was persecuted by those underneath him, he continued doing what was necessary to keep his relationship with the Lord on track. Daniel opened his window and prayed toward Jerusalem three times a day (shall we pause and compare his prayer routine to ours?) But, it was Daniel’s steadfastness in prayer that kept him safe and preserved through the storm (the storm of hungry lions that is.)

Many more examples are in the Word of God, but for the sake of brevity I will quit. Remember, our Lord wants to keep us safe in his pavilion - will we let him?

Lord bless!

-Brother Michael

Rejoice Not Against Me

Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

Just like a child trying to walk, or a toddler at play, there are times when falling is inevitable. Even as youth, or adults, falling does happen…(on occasion). Obviously serious injury can occur when we as two legged humans find ourselves on the level of four-footed beasts. However, most times when we fall the only injury we face is to our pride. (Unless we are one of the toddlers who have no shame in falling)

In living for God we try to minimize our falling while running this Spiritual Journey. Hence the verse in Hebrews 12:1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” However, just like the natural, we will sometimes fall when running this race. Falling is not as bad as not getting up. Nelson Mandela said “The Greatest Glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Just like our key verse above, the enemy watches every time we fall to see if we will readily get back up. The enemy of our soul cannot triumph or “Rejoice” if we rise from the ground after every fall. Proverbs 24:16 states, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” The Key is rising again.

My mind goes to the message Bro Cody Marks preached at PEAK in 2017. “I have fallen, and I Can Get back up.” Let us be encouraged that when we fall, we can get up! Do not let any “Fall” stop us from getting up and continuing to run this race. At the end of the race there is a reward!