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NOTES

Overwhelmed
“The Declaration”
Pastor Carl Nichols

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 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,[a]
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.

Everything in Psalm 23 rises or falls on this one question: Who is leading you?

Most people read Psalm 23 like poetry and miss that it’s actually a declaration of dependence.

Summary of Psalm 23: “I have learned that life works best when God leads it.”

This Psalm is not primarily about sheep. It’s about the Shepherd.

Psalm 23:1 (The Declaration)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

BREAKING DOWN THE DECLARATION

1.  “The Lord” - Who is your authority?

Before God becomes your comfort, he becomes your Lord.

Most people want God’s protection without God’s direction.

Sheep that lead themselves eventually hurt themselves.

You cannot ask God to guide what you refuse to surrender.

2.  “Is My Shepherd” - What is the relationship?

The health of the sheep is found in the shepherd they follow.

Your safety is connected to your proximity.

Sheep get in trouble when they drift.

3. “I Lack Nothing” - Where is your contentment?

I lack nothing because the Shepherd is enough.

Important Clarification

…David is not saying: “I possess everything.”

…He’s saying: “I possess the One who provides what I truly need.”

The soul can never rest if “more” is your shepherd.

Contentment is not found in possessions but in presence.

A well-shepherded soul is a peaceful soul.

Four Key Words

1. Trust - I trust my shepherd

2. Identity - My identity is found in my shepherd

3. Dependency - I am totally dependent on my shepherd

4. Leadership - I follow my shepherd