Question 1:
How would you describe a worry-free life?
The world offers us a lot to worry about: terrorism, global tensions, a fluctuating economy, and crime. Will the national situation be better or worse next year at this time? We also face many worries closer to home. We worry about the safety of our kids, our health, retirement, work demands and deadlines, and the list goes on.
Of course we know we’re not supposed to worry, but let me give you a reason you shouldn’t worry: it’s not good for you. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), chronic stress and worrying leads to a weak immune system, making you more likely to have colds or other infections. Worry also can cause high blood pressure, ulcers, acid reflux, cardiovascular problems, irritable bowel, backaches, headaches, respiratory problems, and even skin conditions.1 Great. Now I have something else to worry about: worry!
Even for those who think they are “natural-born worriers,” an antidote is available: trust in God. Psalm 23 paints a picture of what it means to let go of our worries and rest in God, the loving Shepherd who takes care of us always.
THE POINT
God’s presence provides
a way out of worry.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
God’s presence is the most comforting thing we can have when worries arise. Psalm 23 is a beautiful picture of God’s loving presence, which helps to explain why the twenty-third Psalm is so widely known and loved. It reminds us that, when we encounter life in all of its brutality, God is present to guide and comfort us.
David wrote this psalm, but we don’t know when he did so. It could have been when he was a young boy working as a shepherd, when he was being chased and challenged before becoming king of Israel, or when he was an old man looking back on his life of ruling under God’s power. No matter when he wrote it, his song—sung by the Hebrew people and used by many in the face of worrisome situations—reminds us that God is our Shepherd. David reminds us of three things God does for us as our Shepherd.
1. He guides us. By nature, sheep are not terribly smart. They often wander aimlessly, getting themselves into one predicament after another. The shepherd’s staff has a hook on one end for this very reason: so that he can haul sheep out of holes and ravines when they fall in—a pretty good metaphor for our lives.
At times, we face the sorrows and struggles of life, and all we want is relief. But the Lord wants more than that for us. He doesn’t just want to get us back into a neutral position where the things that cause us worry are merely absent. Rather, He wants to get us on “the right paths” that will lead to the joy of His presence and His mission. Our Shepherd is not just interested in rescuing us; He also wants to restore us.
Question 2:
What areas of life do people
tend to worry about?
2. He provides for us. A shepherd does more than just keep the sheep out of trouble; he also provides for their needs. God does the same for us. The psalmist wrote, “I lack nothing.” God is such a good Shepherd that we have all we need in Him.
The apostle Paul understood what it meant to be in need. At one point in his ministry, while he was imprisoned, he wrote a letter to the church in the city of Philippi. The theme of the letter was joy. Writing from his prison cell, he reminded them at the end, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
3. He renews us. With God, we get guidance and provision, but we also get renewal. The psalmist described “green pastures”—a place of rest and provision—and “quiet waters”—a source of refreshment. Again, it is only by God’s presence in our lives that we can get to these places of revival.
God’s presence brings us freedom, joy, and release from our struggle. He knows what we need, and when we decide to stop struggling and start trusting, we experience the relief we need. Only His presence will lead us to places of renewal.
Psalm 23:4-5
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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.
Our worries can sometimes become reality:
- A job loss
- A diagnosis from the doctor
- A broken relationship
In the end, it doesn’t matter if our problem is self-inflicted or brought on by others. It doesn’t matter if it is public or private. What matters is that we are not alone. God’s presence makes all the difference no matter what circumstance we face.
As our Shepherd, God protects us. Sometimes we do walk “through the darkest valley.” But it is in these circumstances—when danger or even death seems near, when we are in the darkest valley imaginable—God is protecting us. Only the One who is the Author of life can possibly escort us when we are in the darkest place where death and fear seem to reign.
In times of danger and fear, God’s presence gives comfort. The shepherd’s rod could be used for protection as well as for an offensive weapon against attacks. The staff also was used to protect from harm. Knowing the Shepherd protects us when fear and danger arise is a great comfort.
Question 3:
How have you been assured of God’s presence
during difficult times?
God’s presence also brings about courage. Some of us may appear courageous or try to put on a good face, but in the reality of life, we only have limited ability to stand up and fight or resist. David wrote, “I will fear no evil” when he spoke of “the darkest valley.” Consider the dark valleys of life we must pass through. In many of them, we really can do nothing.
- When the diagnosis comes, all we can do is take the medicine . . . and pray.
- When the company is headed toward a financial downturn, all we can do is work hard . . . and pray.
- When our relationship is on the verge of collapse, all we can do is love deeply . . . and pray.
We have victory when He walks with us. The imagery David used in verse 5 is one of a celebration. The enemy is forced to watch as we celebrate. A huge banquet table is set before us. It is a time to feast and laugh and be glad because God is with us. Beyond being satisfied, we are anointed with oil. In Psalm 23, the significance is that we are the honored guests, and God has set us apart unto Himself. And when we dine with the King, our cup is never empty. Indeed, it will overflow with more of God’s abundance than we can ever consume.
Psalm 23:6
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 is comforting because of what it tells us about God and what He will do on our behalf. For many people, their real question is not “What will God do for me?” but “Will God love me?” Some worry that their past sin is a barrier from experiencing God’s love.
The Book of Psalms was essentially the songbook the Israelites used during worship. Every psalm was used as a part of worship to the Lord and as a teaching tool for the people to remind them of what God had done on their behalf. In light of that, David taught us in Psalm 23 to sing that God’s “goodness and love” will come after us . . . and they will be there for the rest of our lives. David says God’s “goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”
When we feel like temptation is stalking us, God is more determined to win our hearts. When sorrows seem to be around every corner, the Lord is present to wipe our tears and win our hearts.
When life is just hard and we don’t know if we can overcome the pain, the Shepherd is present to guide us toward His love. One of my favorite names for Jesus is “Immanuel.” In the story of the birth of Jesus, an angel told Joseph in a dream to take Mary as his wife. Using the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, the angel told Joseph that Jesus will be called Immanuel, a title that means: “God with us” (Matt. 1:20-23).
This has to be the most comforting thought in all of life: God pursued us from the throne room of heaven, lived a life in the dirt with us, and He will not hesitate in His pursuit for us. He desires to be with us!
God also desires that we will live with Him. That is why He pursues us. God desires to become your Shepherd and protect you in the deep, dark valleys of life. It is by His presence that we gain a sense of hope and courage. His never-letting-go, always-coming-after-us love becomes an ever-present help in our lives. And by His goodness, we dine at the King’s table. Forever.
Question 4:
What does dwelling in the
house of the Lord look like in a believer’s life?
Question 5:
What are some ways our group can
help one another overcome worry?
WORRY OR WORSHIP?
We can worry or we can worship, but we can’t do both. Identify some
worries that people typically face. Consider how your worries can be
turned to thanks and praise with a promise from Psalm 23.
Write a sentence prayer that expresses your trust in the Good Shepherd as you
worship Him:
_________________________________
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes
with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
DEUTERONOMY 31:6
LIVE IT OUT
How will you live out your trust in God? Choose one of the following applications:
- Identify. Identify the things about which you’re most prone to worry. Turn that list into a prayer list, trusting Him to work in each situation.
- Memorize. As a safeguard against worry, memorize Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Encourage. For someone who tends to worry, pray with them. Help them to trust God in whatever situation they are facing by being a model of complete trust in the loving care of God.
There will always be things in this world to worry about. But we serve a God who makes His presence known, so we can follow Him out of our worry.
Teacher Notes:
Overcoming Worry
The Passage: Psalm 23:1-6 / John 10:11-18
How would you describe a worry-free life?
___________________
Bob Marley - 3 Little Birds
Click Play to Listen
Why was this song so popular?
Why do we worry?
________________
The Point: God’s presence provides a way out of worry.
Psalm 23 is perhaps the most loved of David’s
psalms. Out of his own experience of tending flocks, David compares a
shepherd’s relationship with his sheep to the Lord’s loving care for His
people.
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my
soul. He guides me along
the right paths for His name’s sake.
Worry is unnecessary
when we trust God’s promise of:
relationship, provision, rest, peace, healing, guidance,
and purpose.
Psalm 23:4-5
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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.
Our worries can sometimes become reality: a job
loss, a diagnosis from the doctor, a broken relationship. In the end, it
doesn’t matter if our problem is self-inflicted or brought on by others. It
doesn’t matter if it is public or private. What matters is that we are not
alone. God’s presence makes all the difference no matter what circumstance we
face.
Worry is unnecessary
when we trust God’s promise of:
testing, protection, presence, discipline, hope,
consecration and abundance.
Psalm 23:6
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Worry is unnecessary
when we trust God’s promise of:
blessing, security and eternity.
Introduction: Many people are
feeling worried these days. A quick glance at the news or scroll of our social
media feeds offers a seemingly never-ending list of problems in the world.
Disease, economic recession, natural disasters, and war dominate the headlines.
These issues are in addition to the personal and
family concerns that occupy our thoughts.
In Psalm 23, David, who is no stranger to
worrisome circumstances himself, offers us an opportunity to refocus our
attention on the Lord. We can praise God for caring for His people individually
and collectively. Although this may be a familiar psalm, we should not rush
through it, assuming we already know what its words have to offer. Instead, we should
pause and consider the ways in which the Lord takes care of us.
1. God provides for us. (v. 1-3)
David calls God his shepherd. Having been a
shepherd himself, David knows what goes into taking care of one's flock. He
recognizes that God has shown him the type of concern he showed for his sheep.
All of us should be able to recall circumstances where God has shepherded us.
Many of our worries stem from what we do not have or what we think we do not
have.
David reminds us that the shepherd provides
everything each sheep needs. The Lord finds green pastures for each sheep,
providing food for sustenance. He also leads each one beside quiet water,
allowing for refreshment and rest. The Lord knows that each sheep needs
guidance in righteousness and provides it because it is in his nature and
character to do so. His shepherding demonstrates His wisdom, concern, and
power. God wants to shepherd his people. Our job is to follow his leading.
2. God protects us. (v. 4-5)
Problems will come. David discusses what will
happen when he goes through the dark valley. This is a long way from green
pastures and still waters. Nevertheless, God is here too. Because of this,
David says he fears no danger here. Threats often accompany darkness, and sheep
need protection. God uses His rod and staff to guide us and guard us. David
expresses comfort at the thought of God's diligent care.
God offers blessings, even in difficult
circumstances. David describes God as his host, preparing a feast with David's
enemies in proximity. God is not threatened by what threatens us. Knowing this
should ease our worries. David declares he is anointed with oil and his cup
overflows. These images signify the presence and power of God. His anointing is
recognizable even in painful circumstances.
3. God preserves us. (v. 6)
Moving from his present difficulties, David
looks to the future. No longer is he focused on what may lurk in dark valleys.
Instead, he envisions goodness and faithful love chasing him. God's blessings
will follow us as long as we live. David also declares that he will always live
in the house of the Lord. As a worshipper, David enjoys being in the presence
of God and looks forward to being in the house of the Lord.
David's confidence is stable because it relies
on God, not circumstances. Circumstances change, but God’s goodness does not.
Whatever may prevent us from engaging in worship, whether physical distance or
psychological and spiritual distance, will not have the last word. Rather,
blessings and opportunities for praise will always be present.
Conclusion: There is no need for
us to worry about the circumstances we face. We can trust God to take care of
all our needs since He offered Jesus on our behalf (Romans 8:32). Having
provided Jesus as our Savior, God provides the Holy Spirit to guide us through
life. He will shepherd us until the end.
Worry Is not Your Friend
Worry (or not trusting God) has been a
significant issue in my life. Although I believe in God, I’ve trusted more
in my own abilities than I have in His faithfulness.
“For Christian Atheists,
our worry proves we don’t trust in God as we claim to.”
We think, I know God’s a good God and all that,
but I’ve got this situation handled. And when it turns out we don’t have it
handled, then it falls to us — not to God — to fix it.
Worry reminds me of my feelings about snakes. I
hate snakes. I hate them worse than Indiana Jones does. It was a serpent that
seduced all of mankind into the fall, after all. Coincidence? I think not.
Snakes in general freak me out, but bringing venomous vipers into the equation
adds another diabolical dimension. My family lives in a heavily wooded area,
where we’re basically besieged by poisonous snakes.
One day, when my son Bookie (whose real name is
Stephen Craig) was about two years old, he was playing on our front porch. We
were all doing different things around the yard when suddenly we heard Bookie
squealing with delight. He was jumping up and down, calling out, “My fwend! My
fwend! Daddy, look! He’s my fwend!”
I strolled over and asked, “Bookie, where’s your
fwend? Is it an imaginary fwend?”
Bookie chirped, “No, Daddy!” and pointed
excitedly.
“Look! My fwend!” And there, directly at his
feet, was a small rattlesnake. In case you didn’t already know, a rattlesnake
is not your fwend. I jerked Bookie away from the snake, then stomped on the
snake’s head and crushed it — immediately after I first cut off its head with a
shovel.
Many of us treat worry like our fwend. We don’t
consciously think or talk about it that way, of course, but how we live tells a
different story. We clutch worry to our chests like our favorite stuffed
animals from childhood. We have many different euphemisms to mask this sin:
“I’m concerned about something.”
“I have some issues I’m working through.”
“I have a lot on my mind.”
Using such substitute terminology makes me sound
like I’m really smart, like I’m an important person with big things going on.
What they don’t do is make me sound like I’m a worrywart.
But no matter what you call it, worry is still
sin. In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything.
Romans 14:23 says, everything that does not come from faith is sin.
That’s pretty clear to me. Worry is the opposite
of faith; therefore, it’s sin.
When we live by faith, we believe that God has
everything under control. But if we start to worry, how we live says the
opposite. If we are worried about losing our jobs, we are essentially saying
that our jobs are our providers. But isn’t God our provider? What if God has
something else planned for us? And what if, as unpleasant as it may be to think
about, the path to that “something else” is through some pain? Will we still
trust in God to provide during that time?
Worry, in essence, is
the sin of distrusting the promises and the power of God.
It’s choosing to dwell on, to think about, the
worst-case scenario. It’s faith in the bad things rather than faith in God. 2
Timothy 1:7 says,
God has not given us a spirit of fear and
timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. — NLT
In this verse, you could also easily translate
“fear and timidity” as “anxiety, tension, and worry.” Fear doesn’t come from
God. It’s a tool the evil one uses to distract us from our true purpose here.
In Matthew 6:25, Jesus says, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
The Greek word Jesus uses for “life” is psuche
(SuE-kay). It doesn’t just mean your breathing life, the force that makes your
body go. It actually means every aspect of your life, taken together in total: mental,
physical, emotional, and spiritual. It means your yesterday, today, and future
life.
Jesus is simply saying don’t worry about
anything.
The Christian Atheist may do everything humanly
possible to ensure a situation’s positive outcome, and still worry, I can’t
just let this sit. I have to do more. But if we’ve honestly done everything we
can, by definition we can’t do anything more. And in many cases, nothing’s
going to go wrong anyway; there’s really nothing you can do about a nonexistent
worst-case scenario. So, in our powerlessness we settle for the only thing left
within our control: we worry.
Worry is a control issue. People are often
obsessed with trying to control their circumstances. And while some things in
life are within our ability, many things aren’t.
Just last night I sat on a plane, hoping to make
a connecting flight. As we were grounded on the runway, time seemed to fly,
chipping away at my chances to make my connection. Even though I had zero
control over the situation, I glanced continuously at my watch, consumed with
worry — as if my worry had any bearing on the outcome. (In case you’re
wondering, after our plane landed, I could have given Usain Bolt a run for his
money, sprinting across the airport just in time to catch my final leg home.)
Worry indicates we’re not willing to let God
handle certain things — at least not in His way, and certainly not in His time.
Matthew 6:27 asks a practical question: Who of you by worrying can add a single
hour to his life?
I wonder how many hours worry has shaved off the
end of my life?
Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel.
The 17 Promises of Psalm
23
1. Known as a Psalm of comfort
2. Often memorized
3. Often used in counseling
4. Sets forth the truth of God as a shepherd
5. Follows Psalm 22
a. Psalm 22 is quoted by Jesus on the cross
b. It is a directly Messianic Psalm
c. Sets forth a time of intense suffering – and
the tone is set by v1: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why are thou
so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”
6. Psalm 22: Where is God in time of suffering?
7. Psalm 23: The answer: God is our Shepherd
The 17 promises of Psalm 23:
1. The Lord is my Shepherd
- That is relationship / It is not contingent
upon us
2. I shall not want - That
is supply / That is provision / God will give us all that we need / There is a basis for
contentment in this promise
3. He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures - That is rest /
Think leisure, but more significantly – think Sabbath
4. He leadeth me beside the
still waters - That is refreshment / This is peace / absence of tumult and
chaos and danger
5. He restoreth my soul -
That is healing / Spiritual healing: our spiritual lives are under His mandate of restoration / He
binds our wounds – the wounds inflicted by our sins and the sins of others
6. He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness - That is guidance / We receive guidance through His Word / We seek Him in His
Scriptures
7. For His name’s sake -
That is purpose / His promises are
attached to His reputation / His name is attached to you; He cannot desert or
forsake you
8. Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death - That is testing / Death stalks us, but
He is with us in testing and in frightening circumstances / Fellowship with God
sustains us / Our Covenant God is with us
9. I will fear no evil -
That is protection / This is a confidence,
an assurance, given to the saints of God / It is a godly conviction that God is
with us, so we do not fear the evil around us
10. For thou art with me -
That is faithfulness / God’s faithfulness;
God will not desert us
11. Thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me - That is discipline / These are comforting items to the sheep / The sheep are counted
by God / Wandering sheep are pulled back in
12. Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies - That is hope
13. Thou anointest my head
with oil - That is consecration / A sign that we are “set apart” for sanctification, to be made
holy
14. My cup runneth over -
That is abundance / Life will be full
15. Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That is blessing / The goodness of God,
and the mercy of God, follow us at all times / Even the tough times and the
seeming bad times
16. And I will dwell in the
house of the LORD - That is security
17. Forever - That is eternity
The Sheep do not do this; the sheep do not
promise this among themselves – but the Shepherd does!
John 10:11-18
And so now back to the beginning: Psalm 22 is an
explicitly Messianic Psalm, followed by the Psalm of the Good Shepherd. John
ties this idea together for us in John 10 – linking the Good Shepherd giving
His life for the sheep.
And the good shepherd, with the power to take up
His life again, is certainly able to deliver the 17 promises of Psalm 23!
