The Arkansas Traveler

GOD'S SHADOW OF PROTECTION

Psalm 23

INTRO: The psalm starts out victoriously proclaiming God's provisions. Then the psalmist seems to remember that shadows sometimes came into the best life:

SHADOWS WILL COME (vs. 4)

   For the sheep this meant a dark canyon or crevice between two walls that led to green pastures.

   For us there are shadows of:    Sickness

                                                  Tragedy

                                                  Death – others /ours

   BUT GOD

      Walks with us     

      Comforts us

THE ENEMY IS REAL (vs. 5)

      Enemies of the sheep – wild beasts

      Enemies of the psalmist – nations

      Our enemy -- Satan

   BUT GOD

      Makes provision and protection

      Soothes injuries

GOD'S MERCY IS NOW AND FOREVER (vs. 6)

   God's goodness demands His care

      For this life – blessings and victory

   AND for eternity:

      To dwell is to put down roots. Permanent home

      House = HOME

      The LORD = merciful God!

            It is easy to trust God when all is going well. But life is not all lived on the mountain top. What do we do when the valley comes? Turn to God who has revealed Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. We must first trust Him as Savior, then we can trust Him to provide in the valleys of life. Have you? Will you? Today is the time to turn to Him – not when trouble comes!

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The above is the outline for the sermon for October 31, 2010

at Greenville Southern Baptist Church, Greenville, CA

Pastor Fred D. Kerr