Bible Study Notes - Don't Be Afraid - Psalm 23 and Psalm 121:1-10

Bible Study Notes 

Don’t be Afraid – Psalm 23 and Psalm 121:1-10

Introduction

  Fear may be life’s greatest enemy because like a thief in the night it secretly enters into our hearts catching us unawares.  Then from this vantage-point, fear strikes to plunder, disable and kill.  Many people fail to accomplish their life’s work because of fear.  Paralyzed by this mighty adversary, they settle for what is safe and comfortable though their God given talents go to waste.

  Far too many of people succumb to fear as an excuse for placing human limits on the assignments God has for us.  Fear robs us of drive, ambition and more importantly the confidence that comes with genuine trust in God.  Consequently, our fears persuade us to abort new ideas at their very conception rather than allow them to gestate into viable solutions to the problems, large and small, that God has empowered us to resolve to His honor. 

  Today’s lesson reminds us that we have no reason to fear because God is with us always.  He is the ultimate caretaker of the life he breathed into each one of us.  When we place our trust in God, relying on his guidance, he will see us through the experience.

Lesson Setting

 In this lesson we draw from two separate psalms, specifically 23 and 121, to gain a practical appreciation of the help that God offers to us when we enter into relationship with him.  We primarily focus on God’s power to combat the fear that impedes our spiritual journeys.

  By way of background, Psalm 23 is identified as a hymn from the Davidic collection.  The images of shepherd life that are presented by this Psalm support the belief that David is in deed its author.  Psalm 121 is a litany with a different format.  It is presented as an exchange between a student and a teacher of the faith.  More than likely it was sung responsively in the worship service.

Exposition

I.                   Our Lord is like a shepherd who supplies all needs (Psalm 23:1-3)

  David starts this psalm by claiming God as his shepherd.  Throughout the Bible we find references to shepherding that indicate that it was a difficult undertaking.  The shepherd was responsible for feeding, protecting and caring for these defenseless animals no matter what the weather or economic condition of the time.  Seemingly, shepherding could almost be compared to the parenting of children. 

  In the case presented in Psalm 23 the undertaking appears especially great.  We know that God is the creator of all things.  As such, God has a vested interest in providing the most meticulous care to His charges.  Therefore, it stands to reason that God could and would supply all our needs including those of rest, nourishment and nurture of body as well soul. 

II.                We are not to fear in difficult times; our Lord comforts  (Psalm 23:4)

  In this verse the psalmist explains that it is the very presence of our Lord that comforts us.  In life there will be times when we are forced to enter places and situations that seem threatening to us. God may even send us into unknown territories for the advancement of the Kingdom.  We can go forward without fear in the knowledge that God is always with us and will see us through the experience.

III.             Our Lord is like a gracious host who protects and provides (Psalm 23:5)

  The Lord is also a gracious host who spares no expense to protect and provide for his guests.  The psalmist takes time to layout this representation.  In doing so, David lets us see that God himself prepares the banquet table taking care to attend to every detail. The meal takes place in the enemy’s camp, yet God is there to greet those whom he has invited to the table. 

  Our host anoints our heads with precious oils to identify us as his honored guests.  This puts us at ease and signifies to our enemies that God has placed us under his divine protection.  No one dares raise a hand against us.  God’s presence is our shield. When David tells us that his cup runs over, he speaks of the great joy that flows in and through him as he experiences the breadth of God’s grace.

IV.             Our Lord’s care lasts forever (Psalm 23:6; 121:8)

  Alas, our wonderful meal comes to end.  However, we cannot leave the table disheartened believing that our Lord offers his care only for the duration of the feast.  David quickly sets us right.  He let’s us know that God’s regard for us in far from transitory.  The psalmist reassures us that God’s “goodness and love” will be with us always in this life and the hereafter.  This truth is repeated in Psalm 121:8.

V.                We can find the source of help in our Creator (Psalm 121:1-2)

 The first line of this Psalm posits the question of nearly every believer at some point in the unending journey to spiritual maturity.  It is generally, Where will my help come from along this way?  Yet, like a journalist or other researcher, the believer would like to know the “who, what, where, when, why and how” responses to this inquiry. 

  The believer states that he looks to the hills in search of help.  This is in line with the belief that God’s spirit dwelled at Mount Zion.  One can well imagine the glory of its majestic peaks- a site, in deed, fit for a King.

  However, the response offered by the Rabbi sets aside the need to look to the hills for help.  This teacher of the faith declares that his help “comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth”.   Ironically, the Rabbi’s answer addresses every nuance of the believer’s concerns. God, our creator and consummate caretaker, is always with us supplying our every need on this spiritual journey in accordance with his will and way.  He does this because he loves us.

VI.             The Lord’s guidance and protection is constant (Psalm 121:3-7)

  In the next passage, the teacher instructs the student that the Lord is a faithful and diligent in providing His assistance.  Because God is all-powerful, “he never tires and never sleeps.”  As a result, the Lord always stands ready to prevent us from stumbling when we meet rough patches in the road.  Certainly, the constancy of God’s guidance and protection is yet another immeasurable benefit of relationship with Him. 

 Aptly, the believer exclaims, “The Lord himself watches over you!   This student then attempts to fathom the true meaning of what the Rabbi has said about the Lord.  As the believer engages in this process begins to know God for himself.  The student sees clearly that when the Lord stands besides He offers us protective shade.  The teacher furthers the learning process confirming that the believer is correct in his observation.  More than this, the Rabbi asserts, “The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.”

Lesson Summary

  This lesson will help your students explore the freedom from fear they can know when they place their trust in God as the true source of their help.

Lesson Overview

  This session compliments last week’s instruction on living in hope. In contrast to Psalms 42 and 43, our scripture lesson for today assures us that we do not have to feel alone or afraid because God is always with us.  Psalms 23 sets forth the vital personal relationship God offers to each and every believer. If we accept this alliance, we do not need to look to the hills, or the heavens that frame them, to tap into the source of our help. 

The Main Thought Explained

  “I lift up my eyes to the hills-

      from where will my help come?

  My help comes from the LORD,

   who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

 These two verses work together to teach us that we must seek the Lord first as He is the source of the help we need for life.  Thankfully, we do not have to look far off to the heavens or even the hills in search of God.  Once we accept the Lord’s offer to accompany us on our journey, He is always with us.  Therefore, God’s help is at hand.  We can be certain that with God’s assistance there is nothing we cannot face in our spiritual walk because he is the creator of both heaven and earth.