Summer Playlist, July 2
Summer Playlist Vol 2: Psalm of Freedom
Psalm 23
July 2, 2023
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Excerpt: Declaration of Independence
Salvation is the moment in time when we recognize that what we are living for isn’t producing the life we long for.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
God’s past faithfulness cements His future faithfulness regardless of present circumstance!
Psalm 23 is Freedom Declaration from…
Anxiousness.
Fear.
Uncertainty.
As a Christian, our lives are not best characterized by ease but by overcoming, not by brokenness but by restoration, not by perfection but by redemption.
Overarching Theme
Freedom Comes from God Dependence.
1. There is Freedom from Anxiousness in God Dependence: My Shepherd is Personal. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides
Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals
Jehovah Nissi – God is my banner (deliverer)
Jehovah Shalom – God is my peace
Jehovah Raah – God is my Shepherd
Knowing God Paradox
God makes Himself known to us.
We can know God.
We can always know more about God.
We will never know all that there is about God.
What we know about God in the moment is enough of God for the moment.
2. There is Freedom from Anxiousness in God Dependence: My Shepherd Provides.
…1b I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3. There is Freedom from Anxiousness in God Dependence: My Shepherd Restores
3 he refreshes my soul.
4. There is Freedom from Anxiousness in God Dependence: My Shepherd Guides
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
I hate to break it to you #1
You will rarely have all the information you need at the moment you need to make most decisions.
I hate to break it to you #2
Masses and mobs rarely go in the right direction.
There is freedom from anxiousness with dependence on a Shepherd who is personal, who provides, who restores and who guides.
5. There is Freedom from Fear in God Dependence: My Shepherd Guards
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
6. There is Freedom from Fear in God Dependence: My Shepherd Oversees & Overflows
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
With a God dependence, we can be free from the fear of hardship, enemies, wounds, and lack.
7. There is Freedom from Future Uncertainty in God Dependence: My Shepherd Follows Me.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Freedom is a choice.
We can choose the freedom that comes with dependence in Christ or we can choose the anxiousness, fear and uncertainty that comes from self-dependence.
Salvation is the first-time choice of freedom and then there are decisions of freedom we have to make daily/situationally.
Psalm 23 in a freedom declaration – let’s live in it!
Psalm 23 is a Freedom Declaration because…
God is your personal Shepherd!
God provides for you!
God restores you!
God guides you!
God guards you!
God oversees & overflows you!
God pursues you with His goodness and love!
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.