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SURELY GOODNESSS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

Text: Psalm 23
11 July 2010

(I) THE MOST READ PORTION OF SCRIPTURE: PSALM 23

1. Meditation on God

2. Two Main Lines of Thought

a) God as Shepherd ( Psalm 23:1-4 )

b) God as Householder ( Psalm 23:5-6 )

(II) DISCOVERY OF GOD

1. Through observation of life’s experiences

2. Through personal experiences of God

3. Outstanding features of God discovered

a) God as Shepherd- Imagery ( Psalm 23:1-2 )

i) He leads the flock to green pastures ( Psalm 23:2 )

ii) He leads the flock to drink their fill “beside the still waters” ( Psalm 23:2 )

b) God as Shepherd- Real Life

i) He restores our soul

ii) He leads us in the path of righteousness

(III) REASON WHY GOD WOULD BE SHEPHERD

“For His name’s sake” Psalm 23:3c (Cf. Exodus 34:5-6 )

1. His Name

a) Representing the Person of God

b) Remembering the Covenant made with His people ( Exodus 34:10 )

2. His name’s sake

a) The basis of His covenant relationship

b) The Fulfilment of God’s promises made to His people

(IV) APPROPRIATE RESPONSE

1. I shall not want

a) A statement of faith

b) A statement of fact

2. I will fear no evil

a) Boldness of heart

b) Stance of life

3. You are with me

a) Comfort

b) Confidence

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

a) Goodness- of the Lord

b) Mercy- of the Lord

5. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

a) An eternal confidence

b) A deep appreciation of who God is and what He will do…

“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” Exodus 34:6