PAGES FROM DAVID'S DIARY
TEXT: Psalm 23: 1-6
Intro: In this Psalm, there is a striking resemblance to a diary. Since
David is the author, then it would be reasonable to assume this
is the dairy of David. There probably was never another man
that transcended the scale of life such as David. From a humble
shepherd boy to giant killer to king to adulterer to murderer to
a fugitive hiding in caves. But through it all, bad and good,
David knew the Lord, and what he writes in this psalm indicates
that he knew Him well. As we take a gaze into David's diary,
we see:
MESSAGE # 1 "THE TENDER PAGES
These pages possibly refer to the innocent days of David's life.
Probably his days as a shepherd boy and the days when he depend-
ed on the Lord the most. It is possible that David found God on one
of those hillsides under the stars while tending his sheep. Maybe
that is why he refers to the Lord as my shepherd. Makes a good
case of why we should evangelize the youth vigorously, because
they are in their tender years. On the tender page of David's
diary, we see:
A) A Tender Title ("the Lord")
There is a lot to say about a title. When it comes to the title of
God, we need to examine just what "the Lord" means, and ask
the correct questions that will result in the correct answers:
1) The Lord - Who is He?
a) He is the author and finisher of our conversion
b) He is the administrator and auditor of our containment
c) He is the ambassador and advocate of our citizenship
2) The Lord - What is He?
a) He is expressed love
b) He is exceptional grace
c) He is exceeding longsuffering
d) He is extended mercy
3) The Lord - Where is He?
a) He is in the events of eternity
Creation, Calvary, Coronation
b) He is in the evers of eternity
ever present, ever faithful, ever caring, ever seeking,
ever longing, ever saving
B) A Tender Transition ( "is")
the little word "is" is a transitional word. It conveys the idea of transfer
of ownership or relationship. When David states "the Lord", it doesn't
become personal or possessive until he inserts the word "is". I believe
that there are some hidden truths behind this transition. They are:
1) A Transfer of Faith
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"
When we hear the Word with the ears of our soul, faith is transferred
to our soul by the inerrant Word of God.
2) A Transfer of Favor
One of the greatest blessings in all of the Word of God is the truth
that God bestows favor upon an undeserving, hell bound sinner.
This favor is not owed or earned, but given out of the heart of love
of God.
3) A Transfer of Friendship
Jesus is "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother". He also has
said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee".
a) if we need provision, He is our supplier
b) if we need company, He is our companion
c) if we need righteousness, He is our indweller
d) if we have sorrow, He is our Comforter
e) if we need refreshment, He is our Oasis
C) A Tender Taking ("my shepherd")
this is one of the greatest statements ever spoken by human lips. To
some, He may be "the shepherd" or "their shepherd" or "a shepherd".
Since there were many shepherds in those days, David being one
himself, He could have been "any shepherd". But when David uses
the word "my" he exclusively announces that this is no ordinary
shepherd, this is MY SHEPHERD". He wants the whole world to
know that this is his shepherd, and he is proud of the relationship.
This tender taking involves much more than meets the eye:
1) It includes the Good Shepherd
as the good Shepherd, Christ became the sacrifice of His passion.
He laid down His life for the sheep
2) It includes the Great Shepherd
as the great Shepherd, Christ is the strength of His power
He is raised from the dead, and dieth no more
3) It includes the Chief Shepherd
as the chief Shepherd, Christ is the supremacy of His purpose
He imparts to His under-shepherds a fadeless crown of glory
D) A Tender Triumph ("I shall not want")
This is a statement that is beyond belief and understanding. This
transcends all levels of thought and reasoning. But I believe that
some understanding can be had by knowing that he just joined
himself to the eternal, everlasting Lord. He had also joined himself
to a victorious Lord. There are three victories involved in the
relationship between saint and Saviour that we will examine:
1) The victory of Salvation
brought from death unto life, blindness to sight, hell to heaven,
misery to much joy, condemnation to completeness. There is
no room for any want in this category.
2) The victory of Sonship
"beloved, now are we the sons of God". We have been adopted
into the family. In Biblical times, if a son were adopted, he would
immediately have all the rights of sonship. He would also have
been made an heir to all the father's possessions. There is no
room for any want in this category either.
3) The victory of Security
there is a guard indwelling (the Holy Spirit)
there is a guarantee in place (the seal)
there is a groom to meet (Jesus Christ)
there is a goal to realize (the day of redemption)

PAGES FROM DAVID'S DAIRY
Message # 2 "The Tranquil Pages"
Text: Psalm 23: verse 2
Intro: the definition of the word "tranquil" is: free from
disturbance, at peace, perfectly clear". This brings to
mind the verse "a peace that passess all understanding" .
Also, worth mentioninig is the fact that God's power
brings God's peace. David seemed to be perfectly
satisfied with God's power controlling his life. Also brings
to mind that wonderful song:
I came to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the
roses;
And the voice I hear, calling on my ear, the Son of God
discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
and He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share, as we tarry there,
none other has ever known.
I believe that this may be the scene that David is des-
cribing in verse 2. A scene of peaceful, perfectly clear
tranquility. There is:
1) THE PUSH OF TRANQUILITY (:He maketh")
the word "maketh" means "to break forth". In other words,
David was saying that God was breaking forth in his life,
with new and marvelous scenes. As God breaks forth in
our lives, we need to recognize that we are:
A) Sheep with a Shepherd (David said in verse 1 "The
Lord is my shepherd".) "The Lord" has three meanings
which are implied in these verses. They are:
1) Jehovah - only unaided, unassisted living one
2) Elohim - plural for God, in which identifies the
Trinity or Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Ghost)
3) "I am" - name of authority. The words "I am" is a
complete sentence.- you fill in the blanks.
B) Traveler with a Guide (we are not goats, but sheep)
therefore, we do not run amuck, we graze in green
pastures. Also, the sheep know the voice of the shepherd
and they follow Him. As our guide, we trust the Shepherd
to lead us all the way home, even thru the valley of the
shadow of death.
2) THE PASTURES OF TRANQUILITY ("me to lie
down in green pastures")
A) Diet (the terrain of the Holy Land is rocky and barren.
Green pastures are rare. But the great Shepherd knows
where they are and leads His sheep to them. Goats will
eats briars and thorns, but sheep need green pastures for
their diet. Same thought prevails in our realm. We cannot
have a proper spiritual diet feeding on worldliness and
false doctrine. Only His diet will satisfy us as sheep. This
represents the riches of His grace.
B) Digestion (a sheep must be perfectly at ease, or in a state
of perfect tranquility in order to properly digest it's food.
They will not lie down when in fear, or when in famine. So
the shepherd leads His sheep to green pastures of tran-
quility and watches over them as they properly digest their
food.
C) Design (also, if a sheep does not spend the proper
amount of time in lying down position, their wool will not
grow, therefore, they will not be productive. In other words,
not just a place of safety, but also a place of nutrition and
nurture as well as production. The sheep's only product is
wool, and a good crop of wool will bring much joy and
satisfaction to the Shepherd at shearing time. Also, the
waste of a sheep is one the best fertilizers in the world.
The thought here is, that the sheep leave behind some-
that is productive. They leave their mark.
3) THE PICTURE OF TRANQUILITY ("leadeth me
beside the still waters"
A) The Manner of His leadership ("He leadeth me")
the word "leadeth" means "He goes before and prepares
the way"). This is true of the sheep and the Shepherd and
is wonderfully true of the child of God and their Lord. The
child of God has two elements:
1) Desires (brought about by "He maketh me")
2) Deeds (brought about by "He leadeth me")
B) The Medium of His Companionship ("still")
these waters are still because the Holy Ghost loves peace.
The Holy Ghost is a dove, not an eagle. He is the dew. not
a hurricane. The law drives, but grace leads. Still waters
meant life to the sheep, and the same is applied to the
child of God. Jesus said, "out of your belly shall flow rivers
of living waters". Noisy, antagonistic, people hating,
gossiping, belly aching so called Christians can not have
still waters in their souls. Remember, an empty drum
makes the loudest noise.
C) The Miracle of His Refreshment ("waters")
water: 1) cleanses (Holy Ghost is holy and pure)
2) fertilizes (makes a desert bloom like a rose)
brings life in wastelands
3) refreshes (represents the life of the Holy Ghost)
the word "beside" means "alongside", which reminds us
of the Greek word "paracletos" , which means "one who
walks alongside". This is a description of the Holy Ghost.

PAGES FROM DAVID'S DIARY
"The Tattered Pages"
Text: Psalm 23:3
Intro: I would suppose that we all have had tattered or torn
days in our walk with God. Some more than others,
as was the case with David. Some are self-inflicted,
some are Satan-inflicted, and still others are Spirit-
inflicted. Yes, I believe God allows us to go through
tattered days and experiences, in order that we may
walk closer to the Shepherd. Such experiences seemed
to be the norm for David. I believe verse 3 speaks
to the putting back together of a man who had exper-
ienced his share of tattered pages,. They are:

I. PARTS FOR RESTORATION ("He restoreth my soul")
 
A) Reviving of the Spirit ( a sheep could develop a health problem or a relationship problem. Notice the word
"restoreth" is not past tense. It is present, on going tense. David was saying "this is not the only time He restored my
soul, and it probably won't be the last. The word "restore: means "to turn back, cause to grow up, and make thorough-
right again". So the shepherd took steps to revive the spirit of the sheep:

1) Revived fellowship (restored to former health and relationship)
2) Revived functioning (returns to green pastures and wool production)
3) Revived following (back to rightful and required place)
B) Rejuvenation of the Steps (the shepherd's goal was to restore the steps of the sheep. There are three kinds of
wayward sheep: 1) Scattered sheep (usually because of wolves)
2) Stubborn sheep (Is 53:6 "all we like sheep have gone astray")
3) Sick sheep (usually involved the highest percent of the flock. There are various reasons why the sheep are sick:
a) some had a weak pulse (represents not being on fire
for God, no zeal or fervency)
b) some had shortness of breath (comes from running after things of the world)
c) some had poor appetites (no taste for green pastures)
d) some had faulty hearing (can't hear Shepherd's voice,.can't follow if you can't hear!!!!!
e) some had faulty eyesight (no discernment - rather chew a file that listen to preaching)
C) Rebuilding of the Structure
1) Staff for stubborn sheep (too much world)
2) Oil for sickly sheep (too much wandering)
3) Aid for sagging sheep (too much wool)
D) Restoration of the Song (many times the shepherd would take a reed and make a flute. The music would quiet and
calm the sheep, making them responsive. At times, he would also sing to them. The Bible says, "We can't sing the Lord's
song in a strange land". That is why a lot of sheep(Christians) have no song to sing. The are living in the world. Psalm 40
states "He hath put a new song in my mouth". I am glad it was not Nashville's song, or Hollywood's song, but it was
the Lord's song.

II. PATHS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ("He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" ) How does He lead?
 
A) Slowly (little lambs can not walk at the pace of grown sheep. Sometimes we need to slow down so newborn
Christians can catch up and keep up B) Straight (no wrong turns, no wrong addresses. He will
not lead astray. It is so important that we follow the Shepherd continually, .
C) Strickly (leads with a purpose. Does not waste time or energy. As long as we are walking with the Shepherd,
every turn and trail has a purpose. Talk about being purpose driven!!!!!! !!!!!!

III. PROVIDENCE FOR REFINEMENT ("for His name's sake") (Name of God represents the reputation of God. He
uses the sheep to bring honor to His name. This is where the providence of God comes into view. In this psalm, David
uses all the names of God to describe how God providentially takes care of his sheep:
A) Verse 1 (Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh) means "The Lord our Shepherd"
B) Verse 2 (Jehovah Shalom) means "The Lord our peace"
C) Verse 3 (Jehovah Raphah) means "The Lord that healeth"
D) Verse 4 and 5 (Jehovan Nissi) means "The Lord our Banner"
E) Verse 6 (Jehovah Shammah) means "The Lord - The ever present one")
All that we have: salvation, security, and supplies are all bound up tight in the name of our Shepherd - The Lord Jesus
Christ.