Series - David's Diary  Psalm 23: 1-6

TEXT: Psalm 23: 1-6

Intro: In this Psalm, there is a striking resemblance to a diary. Since. David is the

author, then it would be reasonable to assume thisis the dairy of David. There probably

was never another man that transcended the scale of life such as David. From a humble

shepherd boy to giant killer to king to adulterer to murderer toa fugitive hiding in caves.

But through it all, bad and good,David knew the Lord, and what he writes in this psalm

indicates that he knew Him well. As we take a gaze into David's diary,we see:

MESSAGE # 1 "THE TENDER PAGES

These pages possibly refer to the innocent days of David's life. Probably his days as a

shepherd boy and the days when he depended on the Lord the most. It is possible that

David found God on one of those hillsides under the stars while tending his sheep. May

be that is why he refers to the Lord as my shepherd. Makes a good case of why we

should evangelize the youth vigorously, because they are in their tender years. On the

tender page of David's diary, we see:

A) A Tender Title("the Lord")

There is a lot to say about a title. When it comes to the title of

God, we need to examine just what "the Lord" means, and ask

the correct questions that will result in the correct answers:

1) The Lord - Who is He?

a) He is the author and finisher of our conversion

b) He is the administrator and auditor of our containment

c) He is the ambassador and advocate of our citizenship

2) The Lord - What is He?

a) He is expressed love

b) He is exceptional grace

c) He is exceeding longsuffering

d) He is extended mercy

3) The Lord - Where is He?

a) He is in the events of eternity

Creation, Calvary, Coronation

b) He is in the evers of eternity

ever present, ever faithful, ever caring, ever seeking,

ever longing, ever saving

B) A Tender Transition ( "is")

the little word "is" is a transitional word. It conveys the idea of transfer

of ownership or relationship. When David states "the Lord", it doesn't

become personal or possessive until he inserts the word "is". I believe

that there are some hidden truths behind this transition. They are:

1) A Transfer of Faith

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"

When we hear the Word with the ears of our soul, faith is transferred

to our soul by the inerrant Word of God.

2) A Transfer of Favor

One of the greatest blessings in all of the Word of God is the truth

that God bestows favor upon an undeserving, hell bound sinner.

This favor is not owed or earned, but given out of the heart of love

of God.

3) A Transfer of Friendship

Jesus is "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother". He also has

said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee".

a) if we need provision, He is our supplier

b) if we need company, He is our companion

c) if we need righteousness, He is our indweller

d) if we have sorrow, He is our Comforter

e) if we need refreshment, He is our Oasis

C) A Tender Taking("my shepherd")

this is one of the greatest statements ever spoken by human lips. To

some, He may be "the shepherd" or "their shepherd" or "a shepherd".

Since there were many shepherds in those days, David being one

himself, He could have been "any shepherd". But when David uses

the word "my" he exclusively announces that this is no ordinary

shepherd, this is MY SHEPHERD". He wants the whole world to

know that this is his shepherd, and he is proud of the relationship.

This tender taking involves much more than meets the eye:

1) It includes the Good Shepherd

as the good Shepherd, Christ became the sacrifice of His passion.

He laid down His life for the sheep

2) It includes the Great Shepherd

as the great Shepherd, Christ is the strength of His power

He is raised from the dead, and dieth no more

3) It includes the Chief Shepherd

as the chief Shepherd, Christ is the supremacy of His purpose

He imparts to His under-shepherds a fadeless crown of glory

D) A Tender Triumph ("I shall not want")

This is a statement that is beyond belief and understanding. This

transcends all levels of thought and reasoning. But I believe that

some understanding can be had by knowing that he just joined

himself to the eternal, everlasting Lord. He had also joined himself

to a victorious Lord. There are three victories involved in the

relationship between saint and Saviour that we will examine:

1) The victory of Salvation

brought from death unto life, blindness to sight, hell to heaven,

misery to much joy, condemnation to completeness. There is

no room for any want in this category.

2) The victory of Sonship

"beloved, now are we the sons of God". We have been adopted

into the family. In Biblical times, if a son were adopted, he would

immediately have all the rights of sonship. He would also have

been made an heir to all the father's possessions. There is no

room for any want in this category either.

3) The victory of Security

there is a guard indwelling (the Holy Spirit)

there is a guarantee in place (the seal)

there is a groom to meet (Jesus Christ)

there is a goal to realize (the day of redemption)