Every scripture is a word in season. Bible passages are where they are in the Bible because of the season they speak to. Psalm 23 s a word for all times but it is also a prophetic word for a 23rd season – day, week or year. It is a word for 2023 and for everyone moving from a 22nd year into a 23rd year.
IMPLICATIONS OF LIVING IN A PSALM 23 SEASON:
Here are six implications of being in a Psalm 23 season – the season of the Great Shepherd and His sheep:
a). The Lord will fight for His sheep to deliver them in 2023. God fought for Israel in Numbers 23. He made it impossible for Balaam to curse Israel. God fought for Hezekiah and Judah (against Sennacherib and Assyria) in the 23rd book of the Bible. The Lord Jesus fought for Paul and delivered him the conspiracies against him in the 23rd chapter of Acts. In the 23rd week of 1967 (June 5-10), God fought for Israel in the Six-Day War against Jordan, Syria, and Egypt; and gave her victory. In this season, no devil can mess with God’s people who know who and Whose they are.
b). The Lord expects leaders in the church and the world to express the Shepherd’s heart in 2023. He seeks shepherds after His heart for His people and will rebuke leaders who do not express the heart of the Shepherd in this season. He spoke of Cyrus as a shepherd to Israel in the 23rd book of the Bible (Isaiah 44:28). God rebuked the spiritual shepherds of Israel in Jeremiah 23. Jesus denounced the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Leadership will matter to God in 2023. Heaven will rebuke proud, arrogant and insensitive leaders in 2023.
c). The Shepherd is the Lord and will not tolerate those who will compete with Him or rise against Hm. The 23rd book of the Bible records the fall of Lucifer, Babylon, and Sennacherib. Ayatollah Khomeni of Iran fell in the 23rd week of 1989. He died on the last day of the 22nd week (June 3) and his two-day funeral was June 5-6. General Sani Abacha of Nigeria died suddenly on June 8, 1998. The 23rd season is Fall Season for the mighty who stand in the way of God.
d). It is risky and dangerous to not submit to the leadership of the Shepherd. This is a season to be guided by God. A sheep that strays from the Shepherd will be at risk. Psalm 23 speaks about being led beside still waters and being made to lie down in green pastures. In First Samuel 23, David escaped falling into the hands of Saul through divine guidance. In Second Samuel 23, David celebrated the Great Shepherd who had blessed him with mighty men. In Second Kings 23, Josiah and Judah returned to the great Shepherd and prospered. That was the last revival before the captivity of Judah. King Josiah died in battle because he would not be guided by God in the battle that consumed him (2 Chronicles 35: 20-24). Ezekiel 23 is about rebellious Israel and Judah (Oholah and Oholibah) that rejected God’s leadership. 2023 is a season to be taught, guided and helped by the Spirit of God.
e). It is a season to be protected from death and the shadows of death. Sarah died in Genesis 23 at age 127 – within the third 49 years of her life. David escaped death in First Samuel 23. King Josiah died in Second Kings 23, Psalm 23 speaks of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus was crucified in Luke 23. Paul escaped death in Acts 23. The 29th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding, died in office in the 23rd year of the 20th century. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in the 23rd week of 1968. He was shot on June 5 and pronounced dead on June 6. Kudirat Abiola of Nigeria was murdered on June 4, 1996.
f). it is a year of trusting in God and experiencing His Sufficiency. It is a year of multi-faceted blessings for those who trust and hope in God. Psalm 23 reveals that God is All-In-One to those who trust in Him – especially in a 23rd season. That is the reason Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”. In 2023, the Great Shepherd of the Church is all you need. He will provide everything else. He is sufficient for every need. There is nothing to fear. There is nothing to worry about. In this year, God will set a table for you in the presence of your enemies and your cup will run over with blessings. 2023 is a year of great needs – safety, guidance, provisions and relationships. People will need miraculous interventions. People will need help from above. They will need the Way-Maker to make a way where there is none. As you trust the Lord in 2023, He will be, and give, all you need!
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