We forget all that we have when we're stressed.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
"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." Psalm 23:2-3
There are two different kinds of green grass in the Middle East: goat grass and lush green grass. Goat grass will kill a sheep within 24 hours after a sheep eats it. The shepherd makes sure we are being nourished rather than poisoned.
"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10
Sheep won't drink out of running water. They fear drowning. So sometimes the shepherd would alter the water so the sheep would drink from it (like create a small dam to make a pool).
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." John 7:37
"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" John 4:14
"he refreshes my soul." Psalm 23:3a
He has given us the Holy Spirit. Refreshment will come through the Spirit.
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever" John 14:16
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate (another word for Lawyer).
"But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7
"he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me." Psalm 23:3-4
Sheep are scared of everything.Sheep won't take care of themselves.
"I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side." Psalm 3:5-6
"Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
We cannot overcome anything on our own!
"You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5
God takes care of it in the midst of anything!
Nothing is more secure than trusting God has your back. He does!
When we're stressed out we forget all the blessings we have. Light always wins over darkness.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
"my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5c
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peaceas you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3