Because of my upbringing and because of my faith I have never doubted the Easter story. I believe in Jesus with all my heart. Today I want to talk to those who may have doubt. I want you to see something in scripture that is so healing to those who struggle with doubt.

With Easter approaching, I want us to look at an Old Testament story found in the book of Ezekiel. It will likely be familiar to you, but for a bit of background first. We are talking about the 6th century BC. Israel was in shambles. Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 BC. The people of Israel are scattered. You could argue that they deserved what they got. They had turned on God. (sound familiar) They were reaping what they had sown. Ezekiel was sent as a prophet to point God’s people back to Him.

When people ask me How are you doing? I usually answer, "Better than I deserve!" It is a stolen response – Dave Ramsey says it all the time on his radio show. Better than I deserve is the truth for me. I bet it is true for you as well. If God gave me what I deserved, I imagine I would have been zapped long ago. Today we wrap up Psalm 23.

Today we continue in our study of Psalm 23. We have made it to verse 5. This is perhaps the strangest verse in this Psalm. It is well known – however- the meaning is likely lost to many. You know the words – YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES; YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNS OVER. Today we will look at this verse in a couple of different ways.

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME. It is likely that you can quote that verse from memory. Remember it is just s shadow.

One of my favorite television shows over the years has been THIS OLD HOUSE. I love watching the transformation of a house in need of repair to a showplace. HGTV has built an empire on transforming rooms and closets and kitchens and houses. Today we have made it to verse 3 of Psalm 23 and it is all about transformation.

It has been an interesting beginning to 2023. The news has been filled with stories of our military shooting down balloons over our country and over Canada. This past week there have been too many stories of senseless killings across this country. These are strange times.

Last week we started a series on the 23rdPsalm. We began with THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. What a great truth. If you are willing, God would like to lead your life. Our next thought is totally dependent on allowing God to lead us. I SHALL NOT WANT. Isn’t that beautiful? I SHALL NOT WANT.