My Shepherd - Part II
My Shepherd: Two of Two • Sermon • Submitted
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A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful passages in all the bible!
Probably the most quoted passage in all the scripture…
Quoted in times of trouble, pain and loss.
When we look at the 23rd Psalm we find three specific things that the psalmist is trying to convey.
Verse 1-3 is written in the 3rd person - “He maketh me…” “He leadeth me...”
David is talking about the Shepherd.
Verse 4 is written in the 1st person - David moves from talking about to talking to God. “You are with me...” “You comfort me...”
David is talking to his friend.
Verse 5-6 moves from outside to inside.
Goes from green pastures to prepared tables
From outside (word/society) to inside (home)
First part is in the field
Second part is in the valley
Third part is in the home
Let’s look at the Psalm from three perspectives
As a shepherd, God gives direction
As a friend, God gives us protection
As a host, God gives us provision
Not just about comforting us in time of loss, confusion, or pain...
This is a Psalm of relationship - It’s a picture painted of me (you) and your relationship with the Shepherd!
Last week we looked at the shepherd and sheep’s need of direction…
Let’s begin today with verse 4 and the shepherd as our friend who provides protection.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
First observation: the shepherd, leads the sheep into the valley!
Thoughts of the sheep:
“Oh know!”
“What are we going to do?”
“This is scary!”
Thoughts of the shepherd:
“There is still waters down there!”
“There are green pastures down there!”
“There is rest down there!”
1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Second observation: Don’t fear the valley!
It’s in the valley that lessons are learned!
It’s in the valley that trust is developed with the Shepherd!
David called the place where the shepherd lead him “…the valley of the shadow of death.”
Why this passage is used at funerals.
BUT this is not about literal death but gloom, calamity, depression, fear, darkness, terror, distress, hopelessness
This is dealing with the dark days that are lived through in life!
BUT - its a shadow!
It’s not something to fear.
Because it’s only a shadow!
The only time that you are hurt in the darkness is when you allow fear to elicits an unrealistic response from you!
Third observation: though
Though: even if, although, in spite of the fact that
BBT: So - even if, although, in spite of the fact that - I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death… I WILL FEAR NO EVIL!
Understanding between the sheep and the shepherd!
I remember other times... he lead me into valleys so there is no need to fear!
Why?
The shepherd is with me
He has a rod and staff
Staff for direction - crook
Rod for protection - club
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, And thy right hand shall save me.
Conclusion:
Fourth observation: The valley is temporary!
Your going through the valley!
Where are you going?
If you will trust the Shepherd, he will take you from green valleys and still waters to prepared tables!