Many times we come across Psalm 23 when attending a wake or attending a funeral.  The vision we get is God walking with us, protecting us, as we transition from this life to the next.  During that journey we know it is a one way trip – only forward moving from this life to the next – no opportunity to turn around.

 

David was also on a journey when he approached Goliath, and when he was out in front, doing what no one of Israel was willing to do.

 

In my present career, the tyranny of words has become more clear to me than ever.  We need to think distinctly about the message we give, or we receive, to understand what is in it for me.  This is something we should do as we attend a Bible study, a Worship service, a funeral, a speech, speaking with our friends, or wherever we are engaged in conversation by either speaking or receiving a message.

 

With this thought in mind, I think we should look at Psalm 23

 

PSALM 23

 

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

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

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

4 Even 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 overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.”

As you read that, what comes to mind?  If you close your eyes, what do you see as you reflect on those words?

Let’s transition back to last month’s article – we reviewed David facing Goliath, and how God prepared David to defeat the giant.  How David had faith, stood strong, didn’t wavier when called to action.

Psalm 23 can also be viewed from David’s perspective as he faced down Goliath – he was alone, many people watching, some reveling in their belief he was going to fail, some worried he was going to die, some laughing at this little boy, some scoffing at him as if he was stupid, and yes as we see in 1 Samuel 17, some of these were his own family members.

Imagine seeing through David’s eyes, and hearing with him as he faced Goliath.  Being human he had to have that little voice speaking to him about how stupid he was to think he could succeed, could he really expect to take down Goliath – the giant in front of him?  Where was his God now?  Does what is happening in the world today cause us to stop and think about the giants among us?

Back to Psalm 23, verse 5 – notice what God has prepared for all of us who call on Him as our God, Lord, Savior…….a table is prepared for us, not only a table, but one that is present with us as we face our enemies, our giants.

WOW!  I need to realize when I’m faced with issues, pressures, challenges, and yes even those sins we wish we didn’t have in our lives, all of which are giants, God is there.  Not only there, but providing for us, helping us, and ensuring we can defeat the giants in our lives.  Not in a closet, not in church, not in our quiet places, but out on the battlefield of life!

In his book Goliath must Fall, Louie Giglio challenges his readers to realize we all have giants, scoffers, hecklers, and even family members that will challenge us at times, but we should stand strong in our faith in Him, and realize He is providing for us even as we fail in life.

Quiet time exercise – 5 minutes – read Psalm 23 and then close your eyes and ask – God what giants do I have in my life?

• Do I gossip about others?
• Does my heart hurt for the lost?
• Do I make relationships with others to prepare for an opportunity God may bring to share Him?
• Am I a conflict creator by what I post on social media?
• When I hear of a “bad person” getting what is coming to them, do I say they deserved it, or do I hurt because the poor decisions they have made which got them where they are moved them away from God?
• What do I do when no one else is around?
• If what I think about were visible on my forehead, would I be embarrassed?
• What secrets do I have from others? Do I realize God knows those secrets and still has a table prepared for me?
• Am I afraid to talk to others about Jesus?
• Do I freeze when someone asks about the Bible and how we can know it is true?
• What was that Chapter/Verse we studied so I can answer their question?

 

Psalm 23 isn’t just about God protecting us as we walk through our final valley, He provides for us through the walk we are taking between birth and transitioning to our next life.

 

Am I looking and listening at the scoffers in my life, am I staring into the face of an intimidating giant who taunts me with failure, or am I avoiding the giants and doing my own thing?

 

God prepared Jesus to face down the giant of death for me, Jesus willing faced the suffering to defeat death and rise again, and now He provides for me, even when are giants seem impenetrable!

 

Let’s accept and realize there will always be giants in our lives, yes, ALL our lives, and think of Psalm 23, verse 4 (paraphrased) even as I walk through the valley of the giants, thou are with me.

 

_Larry Bryant lives in Tell City, IN and is an Elder of the Tell City Church of Christ