No Higher Calling Podcast
Psalm 23
Episode 1: The LORD is My Shepherd
Throughout 2023, we will be giving one episode each month to studying through Psalm 23. Join me as we mine out the truths God has for us in this chapter and catch a deeper glimpse into the heart of our Shepherd.
This episode lays a foundation discussing the human penman of this Psalm, the position of this Psalm in God’s Word, and what this Psalm reveals about Christ. The more you come to know the heart of the Shepherd, the more you will fall in love with Him. His tender care and His diligence to guide His sheep through every season of life is a precious revelation. If you cannot say with full confidence “the LORD is MY Shepherd” I share how you can settle your salvation because of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
Episode 2: I Shall Not Want
Because the Lord is our Shepherd, we can say with complete confidence, “I shall not want.”
Is Christ enough in your life? In Him, there is no lack or deficiency. He is sufficient, and He fills every void in our heart. The more we come to know the heart of our Shepherd, the more we find all we need in the person of Jesus Christ.
We continue our study of Psalm 23 diving into the phrase “I shall not want.” Four little words, yet packed with rich truth!
Episode 3: He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures
There are many reasons why sheep refuse to rest- trouble amongst the flock, pestilence, and hunger just to name a few. When the shepherd is near, he removes these issues and allows his sheep to rest in peace and contentment. The same is true for the Shepherd of our souls. Life brings many worries and anxieties to our hearts. How can we “lie down in green pastures”? How can we find the rest our soul craves? Our Shepherd Himself is the rest! There is no substitute for the awareness that the Shepherd is near.
God has created us to require rest. In making our human bodies to require rest, He reveals our dependency and limitations, yet His sufficiency! Does this mean that we are doomed if we don’t sleep 8 hours at night and get several naps each week? No! While physical rest is vital, there is a soul rest that supersedes all others. This soul rest provides a deep well for us to draw from as we live out our purposes in our busy lives.
Episode 4: He Leadeth Me Beside the Still Waters
David, the shepherd boy, gives beautiful illustrations about God through the lens of the relationship he has with his sheep. We are journeying through Psalm 23, and this episode brings us to the still waters. Sheep will not drink from waters that are rushing. Neither should they drink from waters that are stagnant. The shepherd must find still, peaceful waters for them to be refreshed by. God does the same thing for us. Throughout hills and valleys of our lives, He has perfectly placed still waters, and He promises to lead us to them.
Episode 5: He Restoreth My Soul
“We are living the transition between paradise lost and paradise restored.” -Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth
One day, paradise will be restored. All will be made right. But for now, we live in a broken, sin-cursed world. Because of this, we often find our souls in desperate need of restoration. This beautiful phrase in Psalm 23 reminds us that it is our Shepherd who restores us. Once we have been through the green pastures and by the still waters, our souls are restored.
Restore means to “revive, refresh, renew.” Do you need your soul restored? God delights in trading beauty for ashes. Let Him take your brokenness and restore beauty to your soul.
Episode 6: He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Righteousness for His Name’s Sake
“But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18
The Christian life is a path, a journey that leads us down the road of sanctification. How do we know what path to follow? We follow the Shepherd who guides us!
In this episode, we discuss the path that God desires for us to walk, how to guide your children in the path of righteousness, what to do if you are doubting the path God would have you walk, how singing can free the soul, and more.
The purpose of the path is that God’s name would be glorified. May we resolve to walk our path with commitment and passion as we pursue our worthy Shepherd!
Episode 7: Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;”
Deep trials are a reality of life because we live in a broken, sin-cursed world. Yet, our gentle Shepherd reminds us that in the midst of the darkest valleys, we need not fear! How can that be so? Because of the Shepherd’s presence. We can weather the storms of life victorious because Christ walks with us.
The journey we walk is worth the endurance required. The valleys provide blessings that nothing else can provide. They make us dependent upon Christ. They provide a way to higher ground. They provide wisdom we must glean to continue on the path.
As we continue our journey through this rich Psalm, may your soul be encouraged as we learn more about the loving heart of our great Shepherd.
Episode 8: Thy Rod and Thy Staff, They Comfort Me
Psalm 23:4 “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23 is all about our present Shepherd. He is with us! Praise God for His faithful, constant presence in our lives. In this episode, we discuss the Shepherd, our protector, and how He uses the rod and staff as tools of His protection. Just as as shepherd uses the rod and staff for the care of his sheep, our great Shepherd uses the rod (God’s Word) and the staff (the Holy Spirit) to keep us under His wing of safety and security.
Episode 9: Thou Preparest a Table Before Me in the Presence of Mine Enemies
Proverbs 23:5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:”
Before we are in the presence of our enemies, desperate for the nourishment that the Shepherd provides, He has already prepared a table for us. Loving care is required when laying a table, and no one prepares a table like Jesus!
“What a tragedy when Christ prepares a table for me, yet I don’t stop and grumble about my weariness as I walk by.” -Evangelist Scott Pauley
In the moments of intense battle and spiritual depletion, may we stop at the table the Shepherd has provided and find the refreshment we so desperately need.
Episode 10: Thou Anointest My Head with Oil, My Cup Runneth Over
Psalm 23:5 “thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
In this Psalm, the anointing of oil symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is a continual work. We continually need a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds. For the shepherd to know the sheep’s need for the application of the oil, he must be among his sheep paying close attention to their needs. In the same way, our great Shepherd is ever-present in our lives ministering, comforting, and applying the oil of His Spirit.
Episode 11: Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me All the Days of My Life
Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:”
This verse begins with a word of certainty- surely. God promises that without any doubt or question, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. His goodness provides for every need, and His mercy covers every failure. Goodness and mercy keep us hedged in, walking the path of life, pressing towards the mark for the prize, Jesus Christ.
As we walk the path of life, we leave a trail of God’s goodnes and mercy behind. Oh that our prayer might be that all who come behind would find us faithful!
Episode 12: And I Will Dwell in the House of the LORD For Ever
We come to the final episode in our Psalm 23 Bible study series, and what a study this has been! From the field to the house, we have seen the Shepherd tenderly, lovingly guiding His sheep through all the highs and lows the path brings. He has promised that at the end of our journey, we can look forward to dwelling in His house forever. What is the highlight of this dwelling place? It is not the destination, it is the Lord Himself! What a precious Shepherd we follow!