Trusting God: Our Shepherd in Every Valley

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I explored the profound depths of Psalm 23, emphasizing the personal relationship we have with God as our Shepherd. I began by reflecting on the declaration "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," which is a powerful statement of trust and contentment in God's provision. This Psalm is not just a comforting passage to be recited at funerals; it is a daily declaration that in every dark valley, every moment of uncertainty, we have a choice: to trust God or to become bitter.

I shared personal anecdotes, including the recent passing of my grandmother and the struggles of a church member facing his final days. These events brought me to a place of emotional vulnerability, where I had to confront the reality of pain and loss. Yet, in these moments, I was reminded of the goodness of God and the importance of trusting Him, even when life doesn't go according to plan.

I emphasized that God is not a distant deity but a present help, sitting with us at the table in the presence of our enemies, sharing in our sorrows and guiding us through our trials. This intimacy with God is not just for moments of peace but also for times of turmoil. As a shepherd cares for his sheep, risking his life for their well-being, so does our Lord care for us, providing, guiding, and protecting.

I also addressed the issue of bitterness, which can arise when we focus on our wants rather than on God's provision. Bitterness is a choice, and it affects not only ourselves but those around us. Instead, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when it is not what we would have chosen for ourselves.

In conclusion, I urged the congregation to make a conscious decision to trust God, to say, "Lord, You're my shepherd, and I shall not want." This choice brings peace that surpasses understanding and allows us to live in the assurance of God's love and care.

Key Takeaways:

- Declaring "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" is an act of willful trust in God's provision and care. It is a choice to focus on God's capabilities rather than our own limitations. When we truly understand that the Great I Am is our shepherd, we can rest in the assurance that nothing is too hard for Him. [43:30]

- In the valleys of life, we are presented with a binary choice: trust God or harbor bitterness. Bitterness stems from self-exaltation and a focus on unmet desires, while trust in God elevates His sovereignty and goodness above our circumstances. [42:48]

- God's presence in our lives is not limited to peaceful pastures; He is with us in the darkest valleys, at the table with our enemies, and in the quiet moments of despair. Recognizing His nearness transforms our perspective and enables us to endure trials with grace. [51:38]

- The decision to trust God is not a one-time event but a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, choice. It is a declaration that our desires are secondary to God's will for our lives. This surrender leads to a life free from the burden of want. [39:50]

- Our relationship with God is meant to be intimate and personal. He is not an aloof deity but a compassionate Shepherd who desires a real, passionate relationship with us. This relationship is the foundation for our trust and the antidote to bitterness. [52:09]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the phrase "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" signify about our relationship with God? ([24:42])
2. How does the psalmist describe God's guidance and provision in Psalm 23? ([24:42])
3. What are the two choices presented to us when we walk through the "valley of the shadow of death"? ([36:10])
4. How does the psalmist illustrate God's presence in the midst of our enemies? ([47:14])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to declare "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" as an act of willful trust in God's provision? ([39:50])
2. How can focusing on God's sovereignty and goodness help us avoid bitterness during difficult times? ([42:48])
3. In what ways does recognizing God's nearness transform our perspective during trials? ([51:38])
4. How does the psalmist's decision to trust God daily reflect in his life and actions? ([39:50])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent difficult situation in your life. How did you respond? Did you choose to trust God or did you struggle with bitterness? How can you make a conscious decision to trust God in similar future situations? ([36:10])
2. Think about a time when you felt God's presence in a challenging moment. How did that experience change your perspective or actions? How can you seek to recognize God's presence more in your daily life? ([47:14])
3. Are there areas in your life where you are focusing more on unmet desires rather than on God's provision? How can you shift your focus to trust in God's plan? ([42:48])
4. How can you cultivate a more intimate and personal relationship with God, recognizing Him as your compassionate Shepherd? What practical steps can you take this week to deepen this relationship? ([52:09])
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to surrender your desires to God's will. What steps can you take to make this surrender a daily, moment-by-moment choice? ([39:50])
6. How can you support someone in your life who is struggling with bitterness or trust in God? What practical actions can you take to encourage them to see God's goodness and provision? ([33:00])
7. Reflect on the pastor's personal anecdotes shared in the sermon. How do these stories resonate with your own experiences of pain and loss? How can you find comfort in knowing that God is with you in these moments? ([28:13])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Provision
Trust is a fundamental aspect of any relationship, and it is no different in our relationship with God. Declaring "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" is an act of willful trust in God's provision and care. It is a conscious decision to rely on God's capabilities rather than focusing on our own limitations. When one truly understands that the Great I Am is their shepherd, they can rest in the assurance that nothing is too hard for Him. This trust is not passive; it is an active choice that must be made daily, acknowledging that God's wisdom and provision surpass our understanding.

In the midst of life's uncertainties, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the needs and wants that seem to go unmet. However, the decision to trust in God's provision is a declaration that His will and His ability to provide are sufficient for every situation. It is a surrender of control, an acceptance that what God provides is enough, and a belief that He will lead us to green pastures and still waters, even when the path is not clear to us.

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's provision? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today? [43:30]


Day 2: Choosing Trust Over Bitterness
Life presents us with a series of choices, especially when we face the valleys of hardship and disappointment. One of the most critical choices is between trust and bitterness. Bitterness often stems from a focus on unmet desires and self-exaltation, while trust in God elevates His sovereignty and goodness above our circumstances. When faced with trials, one can either become embittered by the situation or choose to trust in God's overarching plan, believing that He works all things for good.

Bitterness can be a subtle foe, creeping into the heart and mind, leading to a life marked by resentment and discontent. It can affect not only the individual but also those around them. In contrast, choosing to trust God in the face of adversity is a testament to His faithfulness and love. It is an acknowledgment that His ways are higher than our ways and that His purposes, though sometimes mysterious, are always for our ultimate good.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life that is causing bitterness? How can you release this bitterness and replace it with trust in God's plan for you? [42:48]


Day 3: God's Presence in Every Season
God's presence in our lives is not confined to moments of joy and tranquility. He is with us in the darkest valleys, at the table with our enemies, and in the quiet moments of despair. Recognizing His nearness in every circumstance transforms our perspective and enables us to endure trials with grace. It is the understanding that God is not a distant deity but a present help, sharing in our sorrows and guiding us through our trials.

This intimate presence of God is a source of comfort and strength. It is the realization that, like a shepherd with his sheep, God is actively involved in our lives, providing for our needs, guiding our steps, and protecting us from harm. His presence assures us that we are never alone, no matter how dark the valley may seem. It is in the recognition of His constant companionship that we find the courage to face each day with hope and resilience.

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent difficult situation. How did you experience God's presence during this time, and how can you become more aware of His nearness in the future? [51:38]


Day 4: Daily Surrender to God's Will
The decision to trust God is not a one-time event but a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, choice. It is a declaration that our desires are secondary to God's will for our lives. This surrender leads to a life free from the burden of want, as we acknowledge that our Shepherd knows what we need before we even ask. It is in this daily surrender that we find true peace and contentment.

Surrendering to God's will involves letting go of our plans and embracing the path He has laid out for us. It is a humble acceptance that we do not have all the answers and that God's wisdom far exceeds our own. By choosing to trust in God's will, we open ourselves up to the fullness of life He intends for us, free from the anxiety and strain of trying to control every outcome.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it challenging to surrender to God's will? How can you practice letting go and trusting in His plan for you today? [39:50]


Day 5: Intimacy with Our Compassionate Shepherd
Our relationship with God is meant to be intimate and personal. He is not an aloof deity but a compassionate Shepherd who desires a real, passionate relationship with us. This relationship is the foundation for our trust and the antidote to bitterness. It is through this intimate connection that we come to know God's character, His love, and His care for us in a deep and meaningful way.

Cultivating intimacy with God requires time, openness, and a willingness to be vulnerable before Him. It is in the quiet moments of prayer, the meditative reading of Scripture, and the conscious acknowledgment of His presence in our daily lives that we grow closer to our Shepherd. This closeness allows us to hear His voice, to follow His lead, and to rest in the security of His embrace.

"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them." (Psalm 145:18-19)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a more intimate and personal relationship with God? What practical steps can you take to deepen your connection with Him this week? [52:09]

Quotes

"you to want but he will supply your needs so that you don't have to want he will prepare you a table in the presence of your enemies he will care about you and love you the Christian has no this has been on my heart all week that the Christian has no place to be bitter about what God allows in our life because he is there with us he cares about us and he loves us." [33:40]( | | )

"admonition of the Lord and seeing them go to college and seeing them seeing I mean can you imagine being a parent and not getting to live to see your kids enjoy what you've tried to give them and sitting in the hospital with cancer saying I just wanted to see him graduate you have a choice don't you trust God or be bitter." [36:10]( | | )

"your life will be different if you will say Lord You're my shepherd and I'm not going to want I'm GNA trust you let's move down here just a little bit into the sermon into the psalm oh look now we'll start the first thing we have here is the psalmist coming to God and saying God you're my shepherd He exalts the Lord when we come to a dark situation our Valley of the shadow of death." [42:10]( | | )

"you think about it he says the Lord is my shepherd those two words are easy to read and easy easy to move on and I've read this thing but you understand that he's talking about The Great I Am he's talking about the one who created the heavens and the Earth the one who brought uh man into existence the one who clothed Adam and Eve when they fell." [43:30]( | | )

"everybody's got these things but he's our Shepherd and he provides for us and he takes care of us you know what let me let me just kind of round this out just a little bit and be done here you know what we enjoy in the Lord a personal relationship do you know what when I was reading the Psalms what really hit me hard is that David didn't think him as a high and Untouchable and mighty God Out Of Reach." [50:59]( | | )

"straight why why and the psalmist said I don't know but he woke up one morning and he said this I've made a decision I don't think chap verse one I don't know what the notes mean I don't know what they say honestly because my heart is going a different direction I don't think verse one to be honest with you is him saying praise go God praise God I'll never want." [39:18]( | | )

"that I'm not going to want because I know he provides you know when I get down about I I just didn't want my grandmother to die that's the truth I don't want to think about being the same age as a person who's going to heaven in the next couple of weeks I don't want to think about that I don't want to think about the the fact that if I work 25 more years at this company instead of being able to come as a full-time Pastor." [44:39]( | | )

"my granddad's doing okay he trusts God you know what he told me after she died in the same night he said well one thing's good I can go back to church I was so happy to hear that to hear that hey I'm going back to church that means hey I'm going to get back into where I know I need to be with the Lord I couldn't be with my wife here but now I can go back and and he's getting healing." [46:40]( | | )

"God is there in your life you don't see it because it's dark anybody ever you know you gone through a room in the dark and you bump into things that you didn't know was there you hear things you see Shadows move and suddenly you're thinking oh my something in here that I didn't think was in here and then uh uh you know it's all kinds of stuff you step on a mouse and I don't know but uh God is there with us in our Darkness." [47:45]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?