WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.540 Thank you again, ladies. 00:00:07.719 --> 00:00:08.400 Great job. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:10.380 The Stewart sisters. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:15.280 Life is sometimes stressful, isn't it? 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:19.940 I know some people are saying, no, life is always stressful. 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:22.120 And it is for some people. 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:25.780 And the stress can come from just about any source, can't it? 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:31.520 Some people in this room, you're dealing with stress related to things going on at home. 00:00:32.100 --> 00:00:33.260 For some people, it's work. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:37.140 For some people, it's school or it has been school. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:40.039 For a lot of people, it's money. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:41.100 It's financial. 00:00:42.380 --> 00:00:48.960 And then there's people right now that, when I use that word stress, you're thinking about some health issues. 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:51.579 Your own or someone you love. 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:56.439 The question is not, do we deal with stress? 00:00:56.539 --> 00:00:58.539 The question is, how do we deal with it? 00:00:59.339 --> 00:01:00.879 Because we all have to. 00:01:01.939 --> 00:01:09.140 How do you deal with the uncertainties of life that make your world stressful? 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:17.159 Well, many Christians have found help for dealing with their stress from Psalm 23. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:29.079 As I pointed out last week, quoting Chuck Swindoll, David wrote Psalm 23 for the dark times of uncertainty in our lives. 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:32.700 Dark times of uncertainty that lead to stress. 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:37.799 Well, today, what I want us to look at is one of the ways that we as Christians, 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:43.379 we who know the Lord as our shepherd, as he's described in Psalm 23, 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:52.979 how we can deal better with our stress and the uncertainty of our life by trusting the Lord. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:54.280 I want to be clear. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:02:01.859 There's absolutely no way for you to eliminate the stress of your life except to die. 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:05.680 When you die, you don't worry about anything else. 00:02:06.180 --> 00:02:09.979 But as long as you're alive, as long as you know who you are and where you are, 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:11.520 you're going to have to deal with stress. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:15.479 And what we're going to look at this morning from Psalm 23, 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:18.520 not how to make it go away, 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:27.860 but how to better deal with it by trusting that God will always provide for us. 00:02:27.860 --> 00:02:32.480 Look at Psalm 23, the first three verses. 00:02:33.440 --> 00:02:35.500 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:37.900 He makes me to lie down in green pastures. 00:02:38.120 --> 00:02:40.260 He leads me beside still waters. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:42.920 He restores my soul. 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:46.240 We'll stop there in the middle of verse three. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.440 The first thing we need to understand about trusting the Lord to provide is this. 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:56.380 The Lord wisely decides what we need. 00:02:56.379 --> 00:02:57.960 Now I want you to listen. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:04.419 In order for this to make sense and be true, 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:08.219 the Lord decides. 00:03:08.519 --> 00:03:14.180 God determines what we need when we need it. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:17.039 Look at the last part of verse one. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:18.359 I shall not want. 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:19.759 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:23.219 And as we looked at last week near the end of the message, 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:26.979 we saw that the next phrase literally means the Lord is my shepherd. 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:29.000 I shall lack nothing. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:32.560 Some translations, including the New International Version, 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.860 translate that I lack nothing. 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:36.800 Now don't answer out loud. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:39.719 How do you take that statement? 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:42.860 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:45.259 I shall lack nothing. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:49.259 Do you as a Christian ever go lacking? 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:53.579 Don't be super spiritual. 00:03:54.419 --> 00:03:55.039 You do. 00:03:57.079 --> 00:04:00.819 No one ever has everything they want, 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:02.459 everything they desire, 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:05.719 or everything they think they even need. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:11.620 Just to give an example and be more spiritual. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:16.500 As Christians, we're supposed to experience joy in our lives, 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:21.399 a sense of the peace of God because we're right with Him. 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:22.540 But let's be honest. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:28.240 You don't always feel joy within your soul, do you? 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:28.779 I don't. 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:29.720 No one does. 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:35.900 You don't always have a sense of just peace and calmness and contentment. 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:41.200 Sometimes life is so stressful you think you're going to explode, don't you? 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:49.020 The truth is, sometimes we're sad. 00:04:50.400 --> 00:04:51.900 We're frustrated. 00:04:53.220 --> 00:04:57.840 Sometimes we're anything but joyful or peaceful. 00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:03.259 Sometimes the last thing we would think, we would feel is, 00:05:04.039 --> 00:05:06.060 I lack nothing. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:08.739 So what is David saying? 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:17.899 John Piper had some comments that I think best explain what David means 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:20.799 when he says, I shall lack nothing than anything else I've ever read. 00:05:21.719 --> 00:05:23.039 It's very helpful. 00:05:23.479 --> 00:05:25.759 So I want to give you sort of an extended quote. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:27.539 We'll look at it in paragraphs. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:29.039 Look with me. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:30.279 Piper writes, 00:05:30.899 --> 00:05:33.259 Do God's sheep ever lack anything? 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:37.539 Sheer common sense tells us that no matter how well things are going, 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:39.739 you always lack something. 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:46.539 I think, therefore, that what David means is that God's sheep never lack anything 00:05:46.539 --> 00:05:50.019 that the shepherd thinks is good for them. 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:58.159 This is confirmed for me when I ponder verse 4 about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. 00:05:58.359 --> 00:06:03.319 The picture here is of a situation with extreme danger that could take the sheep's life 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:07.799 if the shepherd weren't there to protect and guide with his rod and staff. 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:14.500 But why would a shepherd lead a sheep into a valley filled with danger and death threats? 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:19.620 Isn't the only possible answer to get to someplace better? 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:22.879 Think about what he's saying. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.399 When David says, I shall lack nothing, 00:06:27.399 --> 00:06:35.920 he is saying that we'll never lack anything that the Lord has wisely determined that we need. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:44.100 And we'll never lack anything that the Lord has determined to give us. 00:06:44.460 --> 00:06:46.800 The good things that he provides. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.920 Think about that. 00:06:52.439 --> 00:07:00.740 The 23rd Psalm lets us see that life is sometimes stressful when we go through the dark valleys. 00:07:02.520 --> 00:07:03.480 Think about that. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.480 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:09.660 I will fear no evil for you are with me. 00:07:09.660 --> 00:07:16.000 In every life, there are dark valleys. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:23.520 Some are, for short periods of time, some seem like go on and on and on. 00:07:24.900 --> 00:07:28.260 Not anything we would ever choose for ourselves. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:38.080 But a part of what God's doing in our life requires that we go through certain dark valleys. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:40.139 He's with us. 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:43.240 He takes care of us as we go through them. 00:07:43.479 --> 00:07:45.659 He provides for us as we go through them. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:48.300 Because he's going to get us through them. 00:07:48.859 --> 00:07:52.839 To get us where he wants us in the next part of life. 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.219 If you ever doubt this. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:08:02.299 If you ever doubt whether the Lord can be trusted to provide what we need, 00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:03.439 to determine what we need. 00:08:04.299 --> 00:08:06.979 Think about what we saw last week in John chapter 10. 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:12.520 Where Jesus described himself as the good shepherd who gave his life for his sheep. 00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:13.660 Who died for his sheep. 00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:14.160 Look at it. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:14.700 John 10. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:16.080 I am the good shepherd. 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:19.280 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:23.240 That's really the essence of the gospel. 00:08:24.700 --> 00:08:26.480 We are sinful people. 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:32.899 We are under the condemnation of death as a result of our sin. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:39.519 But God in his grace and mercy and love sent his son Jesus into this world. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:42.879 To die on the cross as our substitute. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:46.120 To pay the penalty for our sin. 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:49.079 Jesus gave up his life for us. 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:51.179 That's how much he loves us. 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:58.139 And if he loves us like that, can't we trust him to decide what we need? 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:00.639 And when we need it? 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:08.340 And whatever he determines that we need, he'll always make sure that we have it. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:13.439 Paul reassures us of this in Philippians 4.19. 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:14.039 Look at this. 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:14.919 He says, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:21.519 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:26.539 Paul wrote that just a few sentences after he'd already said, 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:31.039 I have learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:35.720 I've learned to be content when I'm in great need. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:38.199 When I don't have everything I need. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:42.419 I've learned to be content when I have more than I need. 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:48.600 You see, Paul trusted that it's the Lord who decides what he needs and when he needs it. 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:53.720 And so in his times of coming up short, 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:57.120 he just trusted this was God's plan. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:00.320 I really don't need what I think I need. 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:08.259 And Paul learned to be content in what God was doing in his life. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:11.200 He learned to trust that God knew what he was doing. 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:14.620 And so he could say to us, 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:19.879 Even right now, when you don't have what you think you need, 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:28.039 you trust the Lord to supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:31.399 He'll provide what you need. 00:10:32.560 --> 00:10:33.720 He determines what you need. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:36.980 And he will supply it when you need it. 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:41.159 And he determines when you need it. 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:45.719 Now, do you trust the Lord like this? 00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:49.139 Sometimes. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:56.019 Do you trust the Lord like this most of the time? 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:58.839 Or do you argue with him? 00:11:00.699 --> 00:11:05.980 Do you get mad at God when he doesn't provide what you think you need or what you want when you want it? 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:09.840 Or you wouldn't shake your fist and curse him. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:13.259 But you're mad. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:15.800 You're discontent. 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:18.879 You're disappointed in what God has or has not done. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:21.420 You may express it in some ways. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:24.700 You may get frustrated and say some things. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:27.820 You may stop talking to God in prayer. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:31.039 You may close the Bible and forget it for a while. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:35.039 Or you may rebel. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:40.679 If God's not going to do this, forget it. 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.599 I'll do just what I want to do. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.899 We need to understand. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:50.259 Everyone experiences disappointments in life. 00:11:52.099 --> 00:11:57.860 No one has a life where everything is the way we want it to be. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:05.360 No one lives the kind of life where everything we think we need, we get when we want to get it. 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:09.539 Life is just disappointing. 00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:14.580 We all go through those times where we think and sometimes say, 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:17.240 life is not fair. 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.279 Heard that? 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:18.940 Said that? 00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:19.480 Well, listen. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:23.600 Fair is where you go to ride rides and eat cotton candy. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:28.940 Fair is where you go and do your little play stuff. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.379 Life is not fair. 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:38.500 And that's one of the best lessons you who are graduating from high school and college need to learn if you hadn't already learned it. 00:12:39.040 --> 00:12:42.019 And I don't know how you can live as long as you have and not have learned already. 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:49.600 The life in this fallen, broken, sinful world is not fair as we would define fair. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.159 Fair. 00:12:51.940 --> 00:13:06.620 You graduates, it will be helpful to you, high school, college, to accept that life is not fair as a fact of life right now and learn to deal with it. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:16.500 There's going to be times in your life that you're not going to get the job that you want and you think you deserve. 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:18.220 There's times you don't get the promotion. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:22.820 You're not going to get the money that you really believe should be yours. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:32.000 There may come a time when the boy or girl of your dreams doesn't feel the same way about you. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:40.379 Or the boy or girl of your dreams turns out to be a nightmare. 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:46.240 There are going to come these kinds of disappointments. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:50.919 You know, you've already experienced a major disappointment. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:54.580 Not getting to finish your senior year in high school. 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.919 Not getting to finish your senior year in college on campus. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:14:06.060 Not to do the things that you always look forward to at Pickens High School, at Daniel, at Clemson, at Liberty. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:08.639 Like everybody else before you did. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:14.299 I'm sorry that it has worked out that way and I'm not making light of it. 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:18.279 But get used to disappointments. 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:26.620 Get used to things happening that the only way you can think of it is it's just not fair. 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:33.699 If you are a Christian, I'm not talking just to high school and college graduates now. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:42.339 If you're a Christian, I encourage you, always trust that the Lord knows what He's doing. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:45.040 Even when you don't understand it. 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.759 Even when you don't like it. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:53.019 Trust that God is in control of this world. 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:54.720 He created it. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.060 He manages it. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:02.259 And if you belong to Him, if you are His child, He loves you. 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:07.919 He has a good plan for your life. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:12.439 And nothing, no pandemic, no getting fired. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:21.519 No one can thwart, alter God's plan for you. 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:27.899 God will make it happen His way and in His time. 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.620 You can trust Him. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:34.679 One of the most helpful promises in all the Bible guarantees this. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.779 It's in Romans 8, 28. 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:42.419 And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:45.139 Who've been called according to His purpose. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.560 Let it sink in. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:51.500 The Good Shepherd of Psalm 23. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:55.419 He decides what we need. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:16:01.179 And then, He makes sure we get it. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.000 He provides it. 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.839 Look at this next point. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:06.000 The Lord graciously provides what we need. 00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:07.899 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:16:07.979 --> 00:16:09.899 He leads me beside the still waters. 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:12.240 Look at those phrases separately. 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:14.279 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:16.279 Philip Keller wrote a book. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.319 He was a pastor. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:22.000 He had lived, been a shepherd for eight years of his life. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:31.399 And so, he wrote a book on the 23rd Psalm from the perspective of someone who had worked with sheep as a shepherd. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:41.980 He says that sheep are restless animals and will not lie down until they have certain needs met. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:56.980 It's only then that they can be content and just be able to lie down in the green plush pasture where they can eat, they can rest, they can relax. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:04.779 David's description of a sheep lying down in green pastures is a picture of trust and contentment. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:10.859 That's what the shepherd works to provide for his sheep. 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:14.899 Now, look at the next phrase. 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.940 He leads me beside the still waters. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:19.619 Sheep, we're told, have many fears. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.779 They can't protect themselves. 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.720 They're just defenseless animals. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.940 They just have a lot of fears. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:26.519 But one of their fears is they're afraid of running water. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:37.319 And shepherds say that you can't make a sheep go up to flowing water, a river, a creek, a water with a current, and make it drink. 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:41.019 So, what shepherds do is they find a well. 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:42.200 They have a dig a well. 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.299 They find a pool of water somewhere. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:51.160 Or they'll even dam up a little spot on a river or creek where the water will be like in a pool. 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:56.720 And that's when a sheep will feel safe and go on and drink. 00:17:57.380 --> 00:18:07.340 The idea here is David is describing the shepherd finding still water to picture a restful and peaceful scene. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.500 Bring that to our minds. 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:11.600 Now, let me ask you. 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:16.060 Is your trust in the good shepherd enabling you to be content? 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.600 Are you a contented person right now? 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:28.539 If we could somehow or another just pull back your soul, look into you, what would we find? 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:36.480 Would we find a scene of rest or restlessness, stress? 00:18:37.959 --> 00:18:44.359 Would we see a peaceful scene or a chaotic scene? 00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:47.179 Think about it. 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:53.799 If your life is more stressful than restful and chaotic than peaceful, why is it? 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:57.039 Can you identify some reasons? 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:02.299 Is it because of some of the things you're involved in? 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.360 Some of the ways you're just wired maybe? 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:08.140 It can't be that you enjoy it. 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:18.400 It can't be that you enjoy just constant stress and chaos in your life, never being able to relax, never feeling content. 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:22.600 No one wants to live that way. 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:34.140 Marsha Harnock wrote a poem that expresses the constant frustration and disappointment of a life that refuses the rest and peace that the good shepherd provides. 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:38.120 She called it Psalm 23 antithesis. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.860 Now look at the first sentence first. 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:45.160 She says, the clock is my dictator. 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.280 I shall not rest. 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:48.720 Now on that screen you see clock is underlined. 00:19:48.720 --> 00:20:06.839 You may need to replace that word clock with another word like job, money, power, prestige, pleasure, technology, social media, your children's activities. 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:11.120 You know what would best fit or how many things ought to be in that blank. 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:14.219 Keep that in mind and now let's read the poem. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:17.339 The blank is my dictator. 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:19.039 I shall not rest. 00:20:19.439 --> 00:20:21.119 It makes me lie down only when exhausted. 00:20:22.179 --> 00:20:24.259 It leads me to deep depression. 00:20:24.979 --> 00:20:26.839 It hounds my soul. 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:30.500 It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity's sake. 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:35.239 Even though I run frantically from task to task, I will never get it all done. 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:38.579 For my ideal is with me. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:42.659 Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me. 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:47.079 They demand performance from me beyond the limits of my schedule. 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:49.879 They anoint my head with migraines. 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:52.799 My end basket overflows. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:21:02.179 Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever. 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:04.460 Now I want you to think. 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:11.120 Look at Psalm 23 or think about Psalm 23 as David wrote it there in the Bible. 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:16.940 And then look at this poem that Marsha wrote. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:20.880 Which best describes you normally? 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:29.300 Which best describes your life most weeks? 00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:38.260 If that poem describes your life more often than not, aren't you tired of living that way? 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:41.760 Do you want to change? 00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:45.240 Do you want your life to be different? 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:49.839 Well, if so, turn to the Lord now for help. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:57.980 You know, David says in this Psalm that the shepherd makes the sheep lie down in green pastures. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:03.620 The shepherd leads the sheep beside the still waters. 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.099 It doesn't just happen. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:17.119 You know, I have known people who refuse to just rest in the Lord. 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:21.579 Be content with Him and what He provides. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:32.240 I've known people who just, it just seems they cannot enjoy a close and peaceful relationship with the Lord. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:36.059 And just, there's a lot of reasons. 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:46.319 Some people like this, like that poem, they've ended up with breaking their health. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.839 Or they've ended up with a broken home. 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:54.839 Some people like this have just lost all the joy in life. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.620 They're miserable people. 00:22:56.619 --> 00:23:04.939 And I'm talking about a lot of people, they have just about anything that money could buy, but it hasn't brought them satisfaction. 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.619 They can't find contentment. 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:13.139 What they get, it doesn't do anything for them. 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:15.719 Or they're looking always for the next thing. 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:19.960 I want to ask you. 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:29.720 Are you more like David who could write, the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want because He does all these things? 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:35.380 Or are you more like that poem? 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:49.000 That something or someone has become a dictator and has a choke hold on you and is making life miserable for you. 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:55.840 You know, if you want to change, you can. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:24:02.360 The next phrase, the Lord lovingly restores us when we need it in verse 3. 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.400 He restores my soul. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:05.020 But I want to emphasize something here. 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:07.440 You got to want to change. 00:24:08.820 --> 00:24:14.320 I have known people all my life, and some of you do too, who are driven by their work. 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.580 It consumes them. 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.920 They neglect their family. 00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:21.280 They don't do anything but work. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:26.280 And you can talk to them and they'll complain about it and they'll know this is not the way life ought to be. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.540 It's not really the way I want it to be. 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.700 But they won't change. 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:32.680 They've got to get the next promotion. 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:35.680 They've got to, it's their, it's an ego thing. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:41.660 Well, they've got to get the money that that position pays because they've got to have that lifestyle. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:47.600 There are people stressed to the max. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.100 They've got more on them. 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:54.400 They're nothing of a husband or a wife. 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:58.800 Everything outside the home is more important than everyone inside the home. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:05.340 They have children, but they're not really invested in the children. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:13.400 They don't really care about the children in terms of having a relationship, developing a relationship with them, living life with them. 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:18.960 And they would say, I know I'm not the husband, I'm not the wife, I'm not the parent I ought to be. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:21.840 I know some things need to change, but they just won't do it. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:26.200 It's like a fix. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:33.420 So, what I want you to understand is, you see that poem and things like that, you see how you're driven. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:37.600 But if you say, yeah, that's me, and I'd like for it to be different. 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:45.220 If you're not willing to make changes to make it different, something's wrong with you. 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.740 Something's wrong. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:58.460 And going back to the fact that the shepherd makes me lie down, the shepherd leads me, 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:06.180 God has a way of making us do some things. 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:10.240 If that's what he's determined, he's going to make us do. 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:15.980 Sometimes, he makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.779 Actually, it works out in life. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:21.519 He makes me lie down in a hospital bed. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:27.319 Some of you will remember several years ago, Mike Rush, a member of our church, gave his testimony. 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:30.899 He was sitting right there in the first service this morning. 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:36.379 He gave his testimony about there was a time in his life, he didn't care about God, 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:40.759 he didn't care about God's people, and he threatened one pastor who came and talked to him more than one time. 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:47.599 But Mike, out of his own words, he said, God broke my back in the woods cutting a tree. 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:50.779 And God put me on my back in a hospital to recover. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:53.480 God got my attention. 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:58.379 God made me lie down in that hospital bed. 00:26:58.380 --> 00:27:02.400 And that's where I met Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:11.440 If you're not a Christian and you know God's been pursuing you, I want to encourage you to give it up. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.500 Admit your need. 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.340 Humble yourself. 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.700 Turn from your sin. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:23.440 Put your trust in Jesus now, today, while you can like this. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:30.299 And it could be that as a Christian, you know you're not living the life that God's called you to live. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:33.180 You're not being faithful to him. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:35.240 You're not developing your relationship with him. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:39.400 You're developing everything under the sun except a relationship with him. 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:47.500 God has a way to make you lie down in green pastures. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:57.500 Don't make him make you willingly, wholeheartedly. 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:01.559 Trust that his way is the right way. 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:03.720 His way is the best way. 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.880 Come to him now. 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:11.980 Let him, as it says here, restore us. 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.980 Restore you. 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.420 He restores my soul. 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:23.680 David knew from personal experience there are times when a true believer can drift away from the Lord or even rebel against the Lord. 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:27.640 David was called in Scripture a man after God's own heart, and he sinned terribly against God. 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.820 And God broke him over it. 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:32.640 We know that from our own experience, don't we? 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.180 Now, let's think. 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:41.940 Sometimes we need restoring because, not because we've done evil things, not because we've really rebelled against God. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:43.840 But sometimes we just get tired, don't we? 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:48.519 Sometimes we get tired physically, emotionally, even spiritually. 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:55.820 And without even realizing it or doing anything in particular, we just sort of wake up one day and realize, 00:28:56.580 --> 00:29:00.620 I'm nowhere near as close to God as I used to be, as I want to be. 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:06.220 Come to think about it, it's been a long time since I really and truly prayed and meant it. 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.440 It felt like I had a conversation with God. 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:14.500 It's been a long time since I actually read something like the 23rd Psalm and realized, 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.799 God's speaking to me. 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.820 This is His Word. 00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:26.059 If that's you, it may be what you need to do is come back to the Lord this morning for refreshment, 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:28.940 as well as restoration. 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:34.259 But if you've sinned against God, I mean flat out rebelled. 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:37.759 And God's convicting you of that. 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:41.460 You need to come back to Him in repentance. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:46.620 You need to be rescued, as well as restored. 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:52.479 Danny Akin is the president of Southeastern Seminary. 00:29:53.259 --> 00:30:00.339 He writes about this verse and points out how important it is that we understand it's the Lord Himself 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:03.879 who is working in us to restore us. 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.500 Look at how he says it. 00:30:05.939 --> 00:30:06.439 He says, 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:10.200 It is the Lord who revives me when I need strength. 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:16.779 It is the Lord who restores me and gets back on my feet and back into the fight when I stumble and fall. 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:25.100 It is the Lord who puts life in proper perspective and helps me see things with a Godward, eternal perspective. 00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:29.320 We don't do this for ourselves. 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:32.640 One of the dumbest things we can ever think is, 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:35.640 I'm going to get right with God later. 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:37.420 There's some things I've got to take care of right now, 00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:38.440 things I want to do right now. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:41.640 One day I'm going to buckle down and get serious about living a Christian life. 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:44.040 Or one day I am going to become a Christian. 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.500 You don't decide that. 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.200 I don't decide that. 00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:50.840 When the Lord pursues us, 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:53.040 we need to hear Him. 00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:54.820 We need to obey Him then. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.000 He may not pursue us tomorrow. 00:30:58.320 --> 00:31:00.400 If you're in need of being restored, 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.320 for whatever reason, 00:31:02.320 --> 00:31:05.560 I encourage you to turn to the Lord now 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:08.119 and ask Him to help you. 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:13.759 If there is a sin problem that you know He's convicting you of, 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.659 confess it to Him. 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.700 Turn from it. 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:17.240 Seek His forgiveness now. 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:21.839 If it's a relationship problem, 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:27.819 ask God to help you do your part to get restored to someone. 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:30.200 Make things right with someone. 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:33.019 You know, a lot of the stress that we have in life 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:36.200 comes from strained relationships, broken relationships, 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:38.400 not right relationships. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:41.500 It gnaws at us. 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:45.140 And it could be that part of your problem is 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:48.319 there's some issues you need to deal with with some people 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.360 or with a person. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:51.779 You can't make them do anything, 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.859 but you can go to them. 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:54.139 You can humble yourself. 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:56.079 You can admit your problem. 00:31:56.219 --> 00:31:57.399 You can ask the question of, 00:31:57.719 --> 00:32:00.939 what do I need to do to make things like they should be between us? 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:04.179 It could be that 00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:07.240 you're just plain tired, 00:32:08.439 --> 00:32:09.079 frustrated, 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:12.519 because you're stressed to the max. 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:17.160 It could be the most spiritual thing you could do is rest, 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:20.079 sleep, 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:23.079 take some time off, 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:25.319 go on a vacation, 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.119 have some fun. 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:31.639 But in order to do that, 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:35.440 you may need to eliminate some things from your life 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:39.379 that you don't have to do them. 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:43.680 They're not doing anything to make your life better. 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.920 They're just dragging you down. 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.060 You've got to change, 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:50.360 make some priority adjustments. 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.880 And everything's not a priority. 00:32:53.600 --> 00:32:54.640 Somebody in this room, 00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:56.360 you may need to go to the doctor and get a physical. 00:32:58.040 --> 00:33:01.340 Your problem is not that you've walked away from the Lord 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:02.360 or He's walked away from you. 00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:04.020 It may be that you just need some, 00:33:04.540 --> 00:33:06.120 there's some issues going on 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:08.260 and you need to go talk to your doctor. 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:10.299 Or maybe you need to exercise 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.680 or something like that. 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:14.319 For some people, 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:16.000 you think to yourself, 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:19.240 there's just something wrong, 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.539 missing in my life. 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.379 I'm not close to the Lord. 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:24.140 I'm not where I need to be, 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.039 where I used to be. 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.220 Talk to someone. 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:31.279 Talk to a trusted Christian friend 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.319 who knows you 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.940 and will tell you the truth. 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:38.940 And if you are that friend that someone comes to, 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:41.620 don't just tell them what they want to hear, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.140 what you think they want to hear. 00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:45.340 A part of being a real friend 00:33:45.340 --> 00:33:46.880 is speak the truth to someone. 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:49.120 If someone comes to you 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:50.900 and they talk to you about 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:53.380 some things going on in their life 00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:54.400 and you know what's going on 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:57.640 and you know they're just a pitiful excuse for a husband, 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.480 just say, 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:01.180 you're a jerk of a husband to your wife. 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:07.460 If they're not the person they need to be 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.440 with their children, 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.280 tell them that. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.500 If they're doing everything under the sun 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:14.579 except serving God through our church 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.320 or their church, 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.860 tell them. 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:20.280 Speak the truth in love, 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.980 especially if they seek you out 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.940 and are wanting help. 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:26.460 But most importantly, 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.440 most importantly, 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:31.159 if you're far from the Lord this morning, 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.780 if there's something going on in your life, 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.920 talk to God about it. 00:34:35.220 --> 00:34:37.380 You know, we looked at the importance of prayer 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:38.679 several weeks ago 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:41.179 when we first were not able to meet 00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:43.880 and saw that one of the most helpful ways 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.200 to deal with the stresses of life 00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:46.260 is to pray. 00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:49.159 Paul says prayer is a key 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:50.980 to replacing stress with peace. 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:52.619 Look at it from Philippians 4. 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.299 He says, 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.699 do not be anxious about anything, 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.179 but in everything by prayer 00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.739 and supplication with thanksgiving, 00:34:58.059 --> 00:35:00.199 let your requests be made known to God 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:01.500 and the peace of God 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:03.579 which surpasses all understanding 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:05.199 will guard your hearts 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:07.299 and your minds in Christ Jesus. 00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:08.639 You know, 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.859 there may be several things 00:35:09.859 --> 00:35:10.599 that you need to do 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:13.139 to better deal with the stress 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:16.000 and uncertainties going on in your life. 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:18.019 But the place to begin, 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.139 the place to continue 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:21.679 is to talk to God about it. 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:24.000 Talk to God. 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:25.579 Look at His Word for wisdom, 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:26.420 for guidance. 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:30.559 Seek His way to deal with your issues. 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:33.119 I want to encourage you. 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.980 Take the things that are stressing you out 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.900 to God in prayer now. 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.239 Ask Him 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:44.199 to exchange His peace 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:46.539 for your stress. 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:49.899 That very well may be the first step 00:35:49.899 --> 00:35:52.759 to you getting a handle 00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:54.739 on whatever it is 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.979 that's causing you stress 00:35:55.979 --> 00:35:57.179 in your life. 00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.419 Let's pray together. 00:35:59.099 --> 00:35:59.379 Father, 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:01.699 show us now 00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:03.819 how You want us to respond. 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.519 Make it clear. 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.079 Father, 00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:09.079 for some people in this room, 00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:10.420 they really need to 00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:12.039 settle it 00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:15.360 that You have the right 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:16.860 to determine 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:18.920 what we need. 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.619 Help them to do that. 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:25.960 And then, Lord, 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.800 help us all 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:29.440 to know that 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:31.579 whatever it is You've determined 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.239 that we need, 00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:33.480 You will provide it. 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.260 You'll provide the right thing 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:36.099 at the right time. 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.219 You'll never let us, 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.099 Your children, 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.159 do without 00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:42.039 what You have decided 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.800 we need. 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:45.280 And then, Lord, 00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:46.179 if there are people in this room 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:47.059 who truly need 00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:47.820 to experience 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:50.159 Your restoration, 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.420 Your renewal, 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:56.579 Your salvation, 00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:59.320 make it clear to them 00:36:59.320 --> 00:36:59.840 right now. 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:02.960 Help them to turn to You 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:04.340 in faith 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:05.000 and in obedience. 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.119 And let's just all, 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:07.980 in an attitude of prayer, 00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:09.000 listen to the Lord 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:10.619 and respond to Him 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.720 in these next few minutes. 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:11.779 Old Downloads. 00:37:20.319 --> 00:37:20.819 Only grace because He will continue 00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:22.399 to start to get 00:37:22.959 --> 00:37:24.379 in the nimmt of prayer, 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.980 A Impact Of Prayer 00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:27.139 in the sulfates. 00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:28.359 In the결 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:30.039 ... 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:30.579 ForП 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:31.359 Of 00:37:31.359 --> 00:37:32.679 Thank you 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.059 The탕 00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:33.980 and support 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:35.639 For 00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:36.679 And 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.319 從 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:38.139 for