Psalm 23 (King James Version)

 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Introduction:

         Our nation is in a crucial political season. We will soon choose which “man” we want to lead the most powerful nation on Earth. We are constantly bombarded with political ads attempting to convince us that one or the other is the most qualified. From leadership to the economy and from the environment to the war in Iraq, it has become an almost endless barrage of claims and declarations from both sides of the political arena. The Bible tells us in Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” If we are to continue to be a great nation we must turn to the Lord for answers. David, as king, often did just that. He would inquire from the Lord regarding some of, if not the most, important decisions that he would make as king. This inspired David to write Psalm 23 which is perhaps one of the most powerful declarations that a king or President could make. I wonder what it would be like to have a presidential candidate that believed the way that David did. Imagine the Presidential debate on National television and one of the candidates named “David King” having the following conversation:

Moderator asks: What qualifies you to lead?

Candidate answers: The LORD is my shepherd!

a.    Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Jesus said…

John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Moderator asks: What are your concerns regarding the economy, the environment and health care?

Candidate answers: We will never be in need. The Lord lets us rest in fields of green grass. He leads us to streams of peaceful water, and He refreshes our lives.

b.    God supplies all our need and He is not having a financial crisis!

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Moderator asks: From whom do you look to most for direction?

Candidate answers: He is true to His name and He leads us along the right paths.

c.     If we trust in the Lord He promises to direct our paths.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Moderator asks: What are your plans to fight terrorism?

Candidate answers: We may walk through valleys as dark as death, but we won't be afraid. He is with us, and His shepherd's rod ^[a] makes us feel safe.

d.    We love our enemies and it heaps coals of fire on their heads.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Moderator asks: How would you fight world hunger?

Candidate answers: He treats us to a feast, while the enemy watches.

He honors us as His guest, and He fills our cup until it overflows.

e.    We are to seek the Kingdom first and all these things are taken care of.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

Moderator asks: How do you see our nation for the long term?

Candidate answers: His kindness and love will always be with us each day of our lives, and we will live forever in His house.

f.      Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

 

Psalm 23 (Contemporary English Version)

 1 You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.

 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.

   You lead me to streams of peaceful water,

 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name,

   and you lead me along the right paths.

 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death,

   but I won't be afraid. You are with me,

   and your shepherd's rod ^[a] makes me feel safe.     

5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.

   You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup

   until it overflows.

6 Your kindness and love will always be with me

   each day of my life, and I will live forever

   in your house, LORD.