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The PsalmsThe Psalms

A Handbook for Human A Handbook for Human BehaviorBehavior

Psalm 23: Psalm 23: MAKARIOSMAKARIOS and Peace with God and Peace with God

MAKARIOS means, “supremely blest,” or well off. It is the state MAKARIOS means, “supremely blest,” or well off. It is the state of a Holy Spirit indwelled believer. It produces spiritual fruit.of a Holy Spirit indwelled believer. It produces spiritual fruit.

David was far from home and but He knew God would be at the David was far from home and but He knew God would be at the helm. helm.

When God found David, he had been a Shepherd. (verse 1) He When God found David, he had been a Shepherd. (verse 1) He trusts God as a Shepherd.trusts God as a Shepherd.

In verse 2, God provides “green pastures,” for him, and God In verse 2, God provides “green pastures,” for him, and God provides peace. provides peace.

In verse 3, David tells us that God “restores our souls.” God In verse 3, David tells us that God “restores our souls.” God turns those he made and loves, back to Himself to realign our turns those he made and loves, back to Himself to realign our perspective. As we yield to Him, he leads us. perspective. As we yield to Him, he leads us.

In verse 4, as David walks through dark and terrible places in In verse 4, as David walks through dark and terrible places in his life, God leads the way to a better place. David “fears no his life, God leads the way to a better place. David “fears no evil,” (anxiety) His expectation is that God will help him. evil,” (anxiety) His expectation is that God will help him.

In Verse 5, With His rod to him from predators and His staff to In Verse 5, With His rod to him from predators and His staff to protect David from himself. protect David from himself.

Verse 6 sums up what “Makarios” means. Verse 6 sums up what “Makarios” means. David says, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the David says, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the

days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” forever.”

QuestionsQuestions

READ PSALM 23READ PSALM 23

Describe a time when you were feeling like David.Describe a time when you were feeling like David. What was happening then?What was happening then? Does that happen often, sometimes or rarely in your Does that happen often, sometimes or rarely in your

life?life? Think of a time when you were really far from God?Think of a time when you were really far from God? How did you feel about Him?How did you feel about Him? What was happening in your life?What was happening in your life? Pray. Ask God to reveal some reasons why you lack Pray. Ask God to reveal some reasons why you lack

Makarios? When He does, make a plan to change Makarios? When He does, make a plan to change those things.those things.

Thank Him for the situations He will put in your life Thank Him for the situations He will put in your life to experience change. to experience change.

Prayer & ApplicationPrayer & Application

Read the Psalm again slowly:Read the Psalm again slowly: WWhat does it tell you about God?hat does it tell you about God? HHow does it apply to you? How can you apply this ow does it apply to you? How can you apply this

to your life?to your life? AAsk Him to show you how to apply it.sk Him to show you how to apply it. TThank God for the experiences He will give you to hank God for the experiences He will give you to

help you learn this.help you learn this.

Thank you for joining usThank you for joining us

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