Psalm 23 NKJV

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

7 Key Characteristics Describing Who God Is:
#1) The Person

#2) The Provision

#3) The Purpose

#4) The Promise

#5) The Protection

#6) The Prosperity

#7) The Presence

SUMMARIZING PART 1 & 2

#1) THE PERSON (“The LORD is my shepherd.”)

#2) THE PROVISION (“I shall not want.” 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness…)

4 Reasons Sheep Struggle to Rest:
A) Fear (Anxiety, worry, overwhelm)
B) Flies (Distractions, agitations, surroundings)
C) Friction (Relational strife)
D) Food (Hunger)

4 Things The Shepherd Provides For The Sheep
1. REST — 2 “He makes me to lie down in green pastures…”
2. REFRESHMENT — “He leads me beside the still waters.”
3. RESTORES — 3 “He restores my soul”
4. REALIGNMENT — “He leads me in the paths of righteousness…”

#3) THE PURPOSE (“… for His name’s sake.”)

• God is so committed to us that He puts His reputation on the line!

1st Observation (“paths”)

v3b — “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”

path = wayside, way, going, circular rampart

• If it was up to us, we would either get lost, get scared, or die trying to take a shortcut to the top…

Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25 NLT
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

• We must learn to wait in God’s perfect timing.

Your greatest temptation comes with your greatest justification.

2nd Observation (“righteousness”)

righteousness = prosperity, righteous cause, just cause; adhering to moral standards like honesty, justice, and uprightness.

Psalm 31:3 NKJV
For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.

Acts 13:22 NKJV
And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

Matthew 6:33 NKJV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

• How is God using you to advance His Name?

CONCLUSION

• Our God is so good that He leads us to paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

Exodus 33:18-19 Voice
If Your presence will go with us, then let me see Your glory!
Eternal One: I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will declare My name, the Eternal One, before you. I will show mercy to whomever I choose to show mercy, and I will demonstrate compassion on whomever I choose to have compassion.

Glory = Greek ḵâḇôḏ = rarely, splendor, abundance, reputation.

• In other words… Moses is asking God… “Show me what you are famous for?”
  • And God’s answer to His request is… “Let me show you my Goodness.”
• To see His Glory is to see His Goodness… Is to see the essence of His Character… Is to see His Heart!

Exodus 34:5-7 Voice
The Eternal One descended in the cloud and stood with Moses as He proclaimed His name, the Eternal One. Then the Eternal One passed before him.
Eternal One: The Eternal God, full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and abundant in loyal love and truth, who maintains loyal love to thousands of people, who forgives wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin; yet does not allow sin to go unpunished, extending the consequences of a father’s sin to his children, his grandchildren, and even to the third and fourth generations.

• When we allow Him to lead us to paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake… we will know Him for who He is and know His heart. And God is good and is full of:
  • Grace
  • Mercy
  • Patience
  • Love
  • Truth
  • Forgiveness
  • Justice
• This is His Righteousness… his Moral standards… part of His Nature… His Name.