Times of darkness are certainly part of our journey in this life. But thank the Lord,

he never leaves us to face the darkness alone. One of the great blessings of the 23rd Psalm

is the promise of the shepherd's presence. Thou art with me.

Let's join Scott Pauli now as he continues this series, the study of the scripture how frequently the Lord brings us back to two simple and yet powerful truths.

And that is the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

And they're continually connected.

This is true through the Old Testament. This is true to the Old Testament.

It's true to the New Testament.

And it is certainly true here in Psalm 23.

You remember that just recently in our study, we talked about the shepherd's rod and staff.

And I said to you in studying the purpose of the rod and the purpose of the staff that in so many ways,

the rod is a picture of the word of God and the staff is a picture of the spirit of God.

And so the Lord is using his word and his spirit to speak to us, to correct us, to deal with us,

and yes, to comfort us.

Then we've come to Psalm 23 in verse number five, where we read this,

thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.

And I would suggest to you that Psalm 23-5 again brings us back to the Word of God and the

Spirit of God. In the first part of verse number five, he's feeding us. You remember, he provides food,

he provides this table. How does he do that? He feeds us through the Word of God. It is bread,

and it is milk, and it is meat, it's nourishment for our souls, the word. And then in the last part of

verse number five, he anoints our head with oil so much so that our cup runs over. What is the

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