The great evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon said this about Psalm 23:
“It begins on the ground, among the sheep, but up it goes till you may hear its blessed notes echoing among the stars: ‘I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23 is located in our Bibles between “The Psalm of the Cross” (Psalm 22) and “The Psalm of the Coming King of Glory” (Psalm 24)
Thus, the location of Psalm 23 in Scripture reminds us that our Shepherd provides rest , refreshing, healing, comfort, wholeness, guidance, protection, and abundant blessing every day during this in-between period of our life — the time between the cross and the crown.
During King David’s reign, Jerusalem was built upon two mountains.
One was Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham had gone to sacrifice Isaac, and the location of Calvary’s cross, where God sacrificed His only Son. (Mount Moriah represents the past).
The second was Mount Zion, which will be the place to which Jesus the Messianic King, returns to establish Jerusalem as the spiritual and political capital of the earth. (Mount Zion represents the future).
Between the two mountains is the place where we now live our lives… the “valley of the present”, with its green grass, quiet waters, faithful Shepherd, and grazing contented sheep.
In this valley, we will encounter challenges…
but never alone… not even for one moment!
One day, we will pass through the flickering shadow of death as we leap for joy into the Son-shine of forever…
Till then, the Spirit of the Shepherd lives within us to be our Strengthener, our Helper, our Counselor, our Comforter, and our Guide!
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As you meditate on this beautifully powerful psalm, remember one word… MY…
“The Lord is MY Shepherd!”
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The Lord is my Shepherd
(RELATIONSHIP)
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His own life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, AMPC)
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I shall not want
(SUPPLY)
“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:19, AMPC)
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He makes me to lie down in green pastures
(REST)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.” (Matthew 11:28, AMPC)
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He leads me beside the still waters
(REFRESHMENT)
“But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.”
(John 4:14, AMPC)
“He who believes in me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.” (John 7:38, AMPC)
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He restores my soul
(HEALING and WHOLENESS)
“For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord…”
(Jeremiah 30:17, AMPC)
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He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake
(GUIDANCE)
⁵ “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
⁶ In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6, AMPC)
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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
(RESURRECTION)
“Jesus said… I am myself the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) me, although he may die, yet he shall live…” (John 11:25, AMPC)
“Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).“
(Ephesians 2:5, AMPC)
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I will fear no evil
(PROTECTION)
“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with my [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” (Isaiah 41:10, AMPC)
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For you are with me
(PRESENCE)
“He, God Himself, has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax my hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”
(Hebrews 13:5, AMPC)
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Your rod and your staff, they comfort me
(DISCIPLINE)
“So Jesus said… If you abide in my word [hold fast to my teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly my disciples.” (John 8:31, AMPC)
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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
(VICTORY)
“Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.”
(Romans 8:37, AMPC)
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You anoint my head with oil
(CONSECRATION and HOLINESS)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, AMPC)
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My cup runs over
(ABUNDANCE)
“Now to Him who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]…” (Ephesians 3:20, AMPC)
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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
(BLESSING)
“For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.”
(Psalm 100:5, AMPC)
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And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
(SECURITY)
” One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and insistently require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty, the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 46:1, AMPC)
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Forever
(ETERNITY)
“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
(John 3:16, AMPC)
“When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:3, NLT)
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Ours is a labor of love. We have never asked anyone to support this ministry financially. We don’t sell merchandise. We don’t host advertising. We don’t solicit donations. We have never received any income through this site.
Christ is, and will always be, our sufficiency, meeting all of our needs.
But we have humbly asked, and do ask again, that our readers would generously support our ministry Partners in the Philippines, Student Life Organization, Inc.
God has given Co-Founders Ian Rustia and Anne Ruiz a clear vision and an open door to reach many in their nation, and beyond, with the love of Christ. They powerfully and faithfully demonstrate His love through outreaches to the needy, the marginalized, and the often forgotten… children and young people with disabilities and special needs, and their families.
SLOI has only been incorporated as a non-profit ministry for slightly more than a year, yet they have already produced much fruit for the kingdom of God. Grace and I consider it a privilege to share in their work, and we earnestly ask that you would join us in supporting their ministry through your prayers and giving.
PLEASE DO THESE THREE THINGS:
- Pray for the continued success of this ministry and that God would supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
- Check out and subscribe to the SLOI website to learn more about their latest outreaches and ministry events. You may do this by clicking on this link:
NEWS FLASH! The SLOI Newsletter is now featured on our site! Just click on the button found on the homepage!
- Please give generously to support this ministry. You may do so through the Paypal link to their newly opened ministry account:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/studentlifeinc2025
⁶ “Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously, that blessings may come to someone will also reap generously and with blessings.
⁷ Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver whose heart is in his giving.
⁸ And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
⁹ As it is written, he [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!”
(2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-9, AMPC)
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
Joe and Grace
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