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From sermon notes of Pastor Jeff Haney

In the hustle and bustle of our daily life it is so easy to forget Psalm 23. We all know this delightful Shepherd’s Psalm...but when was the last time you stopped and grazed? Is this one of those passages that you jump over because it’s so familiar?

Psalm 23:3-4

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Often in our life the Shepherd leads us through peril, even into the valley of death but He is leading. We can not walk with the Good Shepherd on the path of righteouness and avoid the shadows. When the Good Shepherd leads us into the rough, dark places of life it is only temporary. The Shepherd expects us to steadfastly walk with him...not to run in panic.

Have you ever watched the people riding a roller coaster? They pay to ride in an open fast moving car on a steep, winding track. They have stood in a line as they waited their turn and watched hundreds of other people do the same thing. They know that the ride is safe, yet most people begin to scream soon after the ride begins. Why? They have false fear.

Proverbs 28:1

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

God tells His sheep walk with me. Trust my rod and staff. Know that I will always care for you. He even tells us that if we can rejoice in the midst of the shadows that it will bring Him praise and glory.

1Peter 1:6-7

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

God not only leads us through the valleys for His glory but also for our good. If when we are in the sunshine, walking on the plain we wander from Him and forget His goodness and provision, God may find it necessary to take us into a valley to restore our focus on Him.

Micah 7:8-9

"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness."

Even when our lives are shattered by un-expected grief we can trust and walk because the Shepherd has promised us peace: the steady un-shakeable peace that only comes from faith in a living Savior.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the

LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

We are living daily in His presense and can feel His touch when we like sheep pause to graze beside the Shepherd.

Hebrews 13:5

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

We can find rest every day in every situation when we believe we have the Good Shepherd’s protection.

Psalm 118:6-8

"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

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