Living Without Lack — 1/29/2025 10:00 AM

Notes

Today in chapel, Dr. James Hilton took us through Psalm 23, pointing us to God’s unwavering presence and care even in our most difficult moments. This passage is not just a comforting poem; it’s an invitation to wrestle with the tension between the truth of what God says and the reality of what we feel. We often find ourselves in seasons of uncertainty, fear, and struggle, but Psalm 23 reminds us that God is with us even at our lowest points. 

One of the hardest things we face in our walk with God is reconciling our feelings with His truth. How do we respond when the truth of God’s Word doesn’t align with our emotions? The Bible isn’t a textbook to be passively read — it’s a living Word that calls us to wrestle with it and bring our fears, frustrations, and feelings before God to let Him transform them. We must acknowledge our emotions, but we mustn’t stay there. Just because we feel something doesn’t mean it defines our reality. Hilton says, “Even though I feel like this, I don’t have to feed it, because God is with me in this moment.” 

In Psalm 23, we are encouraged to proclaim an “Even Though” confidence. “Even though I feel anxious, God is with me in this moment.” “Even though I feel overwhelmed, God will guide me through.” The “Even Though” statement allows us to affirm that our emotions don’t dictate our identity. We can acknowledge the struggle but remember that God is present in the struggle.  

It’s easy to focus on the problem, but we must train ourselves to also see the preparation. Often, God uses difficult circumstances to bring us to a place of dependence on Him. If we are never weak, we can never truly experience His strength. James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce endurance, and through endurance, our faith is made complete. 

Verse 5 of Psalm 23 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” This is a powerful reminder that God’s provision and care don’t end when we’re surrounded by difficulty. In fact, He often prepares a table in the presence of our enemies — right in the midst of our challenges. Instead of being overwhelmed by the situation, we can ask God, “What do you want to teach me in this moment?” Even in the presence of our enemies, we are invited to sit at God’s table of provision and peace. 

The oil in verse 5 represents God’s presence. David says, “You anoint my head with oil,” which is a symbol of God’s constant pouring out of His Spirit and His favor. However, for the oil to flow, we must keep our heads under what God is pouring. The enemy will try to distract us from receiving God’s presence, but we must stay in the flow. 

In times of hardship, we need to pray, “Lord, help me stay under the flow of Your presence.” When distractions and fears threaten to pull us away, we need God’s strength to stay focused on Him. No matter what comes our way, He will continue to pour His presence over us; our job is to simply stay under the flow and trust that He is enough. 

Psalm 23 teaches us that God’s presence is constant, even in our lowest moments. We are not meant to deny our feelings but to place them under the truth of God’s Word, remembering that He will guide us, provide for us, and pour His presence into our lives, no matter our circumstances or feelings.