We are going to be in Psalm 23 today.
Psalm 23 was written by David. He was most likely reminiscing of his days as a shepherd boy. This was most likely before he became king. David is realizing that what David was to his sheep, God had been to him throughout his life. What seemed to be a minuscule task that fell into the lap of the youngest son, David, turned out to be the very thing that God would use to illustrate the love He has for His people; including David.
Through out the Bible, God chose
to reveal Himself to us as:
- Creator
- Judge
- Father
- Shepherd
Unless you grew up around
livestock, you may not have a good reference of what a shepherd is. In order to
comprehend the importance of God being a shepherd to us, we must understand
sheep. Here are some interesting things about sheep:
- Social animals: They bond closely with other sheep
especially those that are related
- Prey species: defenseless against enemy predators
- Sheep stray away from the flock and get lost. They can
easily get stressed and panic when they realize they have wandered away.
- Sheep do not always know what is best for themselves.
- Sheep need shepherding
As you can tell, we too are like
sheep.
- We think we know what is best for ourselves
- We too have a tendency to stray away from the flock at
times
- Like sheep we get lost at times and find ourselves
open to the attack of the enemy
- Alone, we are defenseless against the enemy
- Like sheep, we too need a shepherd
Understanding these things, let us dive in to Psalm 23.
God is a
Personal Shepherd
v1 - “The Lord is
my shepherd; I shall not want."
It says
the Lord “is” my shepherd. God is a “present” shepherd. He is my shepherd “right
now!” We don’t need a shepherd later, we need a shepherd now!
While God
is a “present” shepherd, He is also a “personal” shepherd.
God is not
only “a” shepherd, but He is “MY” shepherd. Just as God watches over the flock,
God watches over me. He is our personal shepherd. A good shepherd knows his
flock and each sheep individually. God knows His flock and He also knows you. A
shepherd values his flock and values each one individually. God values you! If
He is a shepherd to no one else, He is a shepherd to you. A shepherd loves and
cares for his flock. In the same way he cares for his sheep, God cares for you.
David
understood that a shepherd knows his sheep and sheep know their shepherd.
A shepherd
was considered the lowest of all work. It was something that was handed down to
the youngest of the family to be sure that it got done. Nevertheless, God calls
Himself our shepherd. He watches over us and protects us. What the world
considers worthless is what God considers to be valuable. God values being our
great shepherd.
A sheep
cannot survive on its own, regardless of what he thinks. We all need a
shepherd. We need for God to watch over us and protect us and provide for us.
Humility tells us that we need God. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of God.” - Matthew 5:3
It also
says that because the Lord is my shepherd, I “shall not want.” This implies
that the shepherd supplies all of my needs. God knows my needs. God provides.
Because He will provide my needs, I will not desire more than what He provides.
God gives us what we need. The Lord hears our prayer. And the Lord knows what
is best. We can trust in God as our personal shepherd.
God is a
Peaceful Shepherd
v.2 - "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters… He restores
my soul.”
God knows
what is best for us. He leads us to safe, quiet places for us to rest. God will
provide peace, comfort, food, and water to drink. He will restore us.
It says
that He restores my soul. God is in the business of restoration. Life can be
draining at times. Financially, relationally, emotionally, mentally. Whether it
be family related, work related, etc. Life at times can drain us. God wants to
restore us. He leads us to quiet places where we can rest and trust in Him.
We must
bring our needs to him in prayer.
God is a Guiding
Shepherd
v.3 - “… He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's
sake."
A shepherd
is also a guide for the flock. He leads them down the proper path that goes in
the right direction.
We are very
familiar with this Scripture here. We have things called Google Maps! (or Apple
Maps) We also have MapQuest. We also have the old handy dandy, can’t go wrong
with, hope I know what I’m doing paper map!
Regardless
of what you use, it’s a reminder that we need a guide in our life. We need
someone who knows where they are going and how to get us there. God is our
navigator. He is our GPS. He will help us reach our destination. That
destination is righteousness, fruit. We may have to go through places we don’t
want to go through in order to reach it, but we will reach our destination.
In no way
am I saying that God makes us go through hardship. That is not true, that is
false teaching. That is a lie. God does not make us go through hardship, but He
does navigate us through it. He is taking what the devil meant for harm and is
turning it into good for us.
God is your
navigator!
In the same
way, God guides us down the proper path in life. He is leading us down the
correct road. It is one that produces righteousness in our life. We can trust
in our guiding shepherd to lead us and guide us down the right path in life.
Even when it doesn’t seem comfortable, God knows what He is doing. We can and
we must trust God to lead us in the right direction.
God is a
Protecting Shepherd
v.4 - “Even 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."
There
are many things to be concerned about:
My job
My home
My health
My family
My
circumstance
Etc.
This is why
it is called a valley; a low place. Have you ever been in a low place? Maybe
you are in a low place right now.
The truth
is that we all love the high place! We love the mountain top experience. We
love it when things are good. But the problem is that we can’t go from mountain
top to mountain top, we cannot go from high place to high place. It does not
work that way. We must go “through” the valley to get to the mountain top. We
may say, why can’t I just stay here where it’s nice and good? It is because
there is something better. Life is good, life is also difficult and hard, but
life also gets better. In order to reach the better, we must go through the
valley.
Now, there
is a good thing to know about the valley.
If we are
in the valley, that means a mountain top is coming. What does that mean, that
means things are going to get better. Nevertheless, we have to walk “through” it.
Shadow - A
sheep would be afraid of a shadow in a valley because the sun would cast a
shadow and the sheep would think it was night time. Because of this the sheep
would not walk through. Nevertheless, it didn’t realize that it was only a
shadow.
We too must
know that our circumstance in only a shadow. It may look dark, but that is only
because the Son is casting a shadow. Because God is bigger, stronger, and
higher than what you are facing.
With me -
Also, you are not walking through your situation alone; God is with you. David
says that he need not fear because God was with him. God is with you in the low
place. He has not left you and He will not leave you alone. He is walking along
with you and guiding you one step at a time. God knows where he is going. He
knows what He is doing. It may be difficult, but your shepherd will not leave
your side. He will help you along the way. Therefore, we must focus on the
shepherd. We must not lose sight of God in the middle of the situation. He will
guide you through it.
A rod
and staff were a shepherd’s weapon and tool. A staff was used to guide and help
the sheep along their journey. He would use it to pull the sheep out of a ditch
if they get stuck. A rod was different. It was a weapon. It was used to fight
off an enemy animals to protect them. It was used to knock something over the
head. This brought comfort to the flock as well as it brought comfort to David.
Similarly,
God is protecting, guiding, and helping us along the journey, especially when
we walk through the valley. Let it be a comfort to you that God is protecting
you and helping you along the way. If you slip and fall, He is there to pick
you back up, dust you off, and continue to guide you to the other side. Let
your heart be comforted knowing that He is with you along the way. The rod and
the staff let the sheep know that everything was going to be okay. Similarly,
with God as your shepherd, everything is going to be okay. God is taking the
situation, reworking it, and turning it into good on your behalf.
God is a
Providing Shepherd
v.5 - “You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup
overflows.”
As
David continues in the same vein of being in the dark valley, he paints the
picture of the shepherd becoming a perfect host. He prepares a table for David
for him to feast to his fill. This is not in the previous setting of green
pastures and quiet still waters. This is still in the dark shadow of death.
Even in the dark times, God is not alarmed. He is not concerned nor is He
rushed. He prepares for us provision that is more than enough for us in the
moment and for the journey ahead.
If a table
being prepared in a dark valley was not enough, this is also in the presence of
his enemies. As the devil seeks to destroy our life, God protects, preserves
and repairs our life. God is not concerned or bothered by the enemies that
encamp around you. They have no power over you as long as your shepherd is with
you. They may cast threats, but their bite has no sting. You are safe and
provided for in the presence of God your shepherd. God is filling your cup up
to more than enough.
God is a
Good Shepherd
v.6 - “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
The
first word used here is very important. He doesn’t say “hopefully.” He doesn’t
say “maybe.” He says, “fo sho!” He says SURELY! We can count on God doing His
part. When the shepherd is involved in our life, “surely” goodness and mercy
will follow me. Goodness and mercy are there to make sure I continue to follow
the shepherd. They are guardrails to ensure that I don’t fall off the path. God’s
goodness (blessing, favor, and kindness) and His mercy (forgiveness, love) will
keep me close to the shepherd at all times.
Is the Lord your
shepherd?
If he is your shepherd, are you following Him today?
Takeaways
I.
The Lord is your personal shepherd
II.
The Lord is your peaceful shepherd
III. The Lord
is your guiding shepherd
IV. The Lord
is your protecting shepherd
V. The Lord
is your providing shepherd
VI. The Lord
is your good shepherd
Have you made God your
shepherd?
If you have not, you can
do that today with a simple prayer.
