Bible Study Notes 4/8/2025

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ©2025

Journey in the Psalms: Prayer, Praise and Promise

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Tracy M. Summer, Psalms: An All-In-One Study on God’s Song Book

Lesson 7 - Parts 1 & 2

Tues., 1 & 8 April 2025

Lesson 7, Part 1  “Protection and Provisions of God.” – Psalm 23 is the most read psalm in the entire Scriptures. There is little doubt Psalm 23 – most definitely a psalm of David, is valued for its promise of provisions and protection from God. The  psalm offers assurance by letting the reader know that during life’s most vulnerable times, we are protected, and our needs will be met. Physicians and professionals in medical science report that the trauma many people experience in which they suffer fear, anxiety, and depression can be attributed to some environmental factors. Events of death; sickness; or, episodes of unanticipated natural events; violence, or a sudden disruption in a person’s normal pattern of life, could all echo a need for protection. We all need a place of refuge and safety during time of upheaval, In Psalm 23, David gives us a description of how he has learned to cope with life’s events. David himself a shepherd and son of a shepherding clan, is intimately familiar with both the nature of sheep, and the value of a good shepherd who tends sheep. David believes the Lord “is” the Shepherd who protects His flock (people) and provides them with physical and spiritual resources they need, to sustain their lives. On another occasion David said of faithful worshipers: “Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us  and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3, NLT). God will always protect His people. The assurance of God’s abiding presence will cause all who trust Him to have an insatiable desire… to seek worship and sanctuary with Him. All earthly desires are subordinate to seeking fellowship with God.

Verses &  Observation for Psalm 23:1-6:

Observe         Interpret     Apply

(1)  – The Lord’s relationship with David.

(2)  – The Shepherd who sustains us.

(3)  – The Shepherd who restores and directs us.

(4)  – The Shepherd who comforts.  

(5)  – Blessings despite danger and attack.

(6)  – Assurance of God’s presence at all times.

Lesson 7 Part 2 “Protection and Provisions of God!”– Jesus is spoken of in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, as our Savior. The prophets, especially Isaiah describes Jesus as provider, Yahweh-Jireh; and as protector, Yahweh Nissi. Jesus also emphatically told His disciples, “I am in the Father [God] and the Father [God] is in me…” (John 14:11, NLT).  We believers need never fear that we are alone and unprotected in this world. Jesus is always near because He lives in us. The redemptive power of one who leads is not in holding people under their authority captives to their unjust actions. A true leader is strong enough to protect the people they serve; yet is empathetic and compassionate enough to understand their needs, and to protect them from harm. We see this divine image of Jesus as Messiah (Lord & Christ) in Isaiah 40:9-11, NLT. This image accords with David’s experience of the Lord as a Shepherd who both protects us and provides us with all we need. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter in addressing the first century Christians who are encountering persecution, encourages the believers to look at the suffering of Jesus, and how he endured and defeated His trials – even insults and attacks. Jesus did not avenge His enemies, nor was He retaliatory. God the Father raised Jesus from and above His suffering. We are to follow His example. (1 Peter 2:21-25, NLT). Christ as our Shepherd will equip us with all we need in this life. (Hebrews 13:20-21, NLT).  Among the final words of Jesus to His disciples – and to some of the religious leaders who doubted Him – were that He was a true Shepherd who was intimately familiar with His sheep. He would sacrifice His life for them, and they would truly know Him. (John 10: 11; 14, NLT).   

Verse Divisions and Observations for Isaiah 40: 9-11, NLT

Observe        Interpret      Apply

(Verse 9) – The Coming of Messiah and Savior is proclaimed.  

(Verse 10) – Our Savior comes with power and authority.  

(Verse 11) – Our Savior is protector and provider.

Verse Divisions and Observations for 1 Peter 21-25, NLT

(Verse 21) – Christ is our example.

(Verses 22-23) – Jesus never retaliated. He put His trust in God.

(Verse 24-25) – Jesus carried our sins. He protects our souls.    

Verse Divisions and Observations for Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT

(Verses 20-21) – Through Christ’s atonement we are provisioned.

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. “Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”  - Psalm 119:105

Key Verses - Part 1:

Psalm 23:1, NKJV 1 “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

Psalm 23:2, NKJV

 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:3, NKJV

 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Psalm 23:4, NKJV

 4 Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I will not fear evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me...

Psalm 23:5, NKJV

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.

Psalm 23:6, NKJV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Reading Further:

John 10: 7b; 8-12; 14-15; 17-18, NLT

7b “So He explained to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true shepherd did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to Him and He isn’t their shepherd… 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me   and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep…

17 The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.

Key Verses - Part 2:

Isaiah 40:9, NLT 9 “O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the housetops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah. “Your God is coming!

Isaiah 40:10, NLT

 10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, He brings His reward with Him as He comes.

Isaiah 40:11, NLT

 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.  He will gently lead the mother sheep with her young.”

1 Peter 2:21, NLT

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example,  and you must follow in His steps.

1 Peter 2:22-23, NLT

22  He never sinned or ever deceived anyone.  23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threatened revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God.

1 Peter 2:24-25, NLT

24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your soul.”

Hebrews 13:20-21, NLT

20 “Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood – 21  may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus  Christ, every good thing that is  pleasing  to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”

John 10:11;14, NLT

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good Shepherd sacrifices His life for His sheep…  14 I am the good Shepherd; I know my own sheep and they know me.”