THE SHEPHERD'S SHEPHERD

“The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Psalm 23 “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

INTRODUCTION:

In this life, we will all need someone's help at some point. No matter how strong, important, or spiritually grounded you are, you are going to need somebody. We live in a world where independence and self-sufficiency are often celebrated, but there comes a time in everyone's life when we must acknowledge our need for others. The title of my sermon this morning is The Shepherd's Shepherd. Even the best shepherds need to be shepherded.

Let me tell you the story of a man who thought he was invincible, who believed his power and status made him untouchable. I’m talking about Muhammad Ali, known by many as The Greatest. A boxing legend, a man of incredible skill, strength, and charisma, he was on top of the world, confident in his abilities, and unafraid to proclaim that he was the best. Ali’s bravado was unmatched—he often declared, “I am the greatest!” And for a long time, it seemed he was right.

But life has a way of humbling even the mightiest among us. In the latter part of his life, Ali faced a battle far greater than any he had fought in the ring. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating condition that slowly took away the very thing he had boasted about—his physical abilities. The man who once danced around the ring with unmatched speed and power now struggled to walk and speak. The disease stripped away his independence, forcing him to rely on others for even the simplest tasks.

His story reminds us that no matter how high we rise or how strong we think we are, there will come a time when we will need someone’s help. I am a pastor, but even pastors need to be pastored. A good counselor is wise enough to have a counselor. Even the shepherd needs a shepherd. Just as Muhammad Ali had to lean on others in his time of need, we must recognize that we, too, need others to help us through the trials of life. And above all, we need the ultimate Shepherd—the One who guides us, carries us, and never leaves us alone.

In Psalm 23, the most well-known of all the psalms, David begins by stating, "The Lord is my Shepherd." But those five words are not just an introduction to the Psalm; they are the foundation. Everything else that the psalmist declares rests upon the understanding that the Lord is his Shepherd.

"I shall not want"—because the Lord is my Shepherd."He makes me lie down in green pastures"—because the Lord is my Shepherd."He leads me beside still waters"—because the Lord is my Shepherd."He restores my soul"—because the Lord is my Shepherd."He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake"—because the Lord is my Shepherd."Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil"—because the Lord is my Shepherd.

When David says, "The Lord is my Shepherd," he has an advantage. As Jesse’s youngest son, the task of shepherding the sheep fell upon him. He knew the duties of a shepherd.

David, a king, a leader, a shepherd himself, understood something crucial: even the shepherd needs a Shepherd.

The Lord as Shepherd and the King as Shepherd

In the ancient biblical world, people referred to their king as a shepherd. It wasn’t just a title; it was a role filled with responsibility, care, and compassion. In 2 Samuel 5:2, the people of Israel said to David, "In the past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel; and the Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'"

Here’s what we need to grasp, church: David, regarded as the shepherd of the nation, realized that he, the Shepherd, needed a shepherd. The one charged with caring for others was astute enough to seek care for his own soul. David knew that no matter how high his position or how great his power, he was ultimately just a sheep in need of God’s guidance, protection, and care.

The Concept of the Shepherd-King

Let’s go deeper. David, being both a shepherd and a king, earned the title of the Shepherd King. As King, he was not just a ruler—he was a shepherd. Shepherd leaders lead in a different way. They do not exert their power from a distance; they walk among the sheep. When you are a shepherd leader, your leadership is not about control, power, or privilege. It’s about care, guidance, and protection.

David was a Shepherd-King. He prioritized the well-being of the people, leading not with an iron fist but with a compassionate heart. He wasn’t just concerned with the people’s physical well-being. He also cared for their spiritual well-being. He led them to God, guided them in the worship of God, and took care of their day-to-day needs—maintaining safety, social order, and economic prosperity.

Some kings focused only on the physical and political responsibilities, neglecting the spiritual. But not David. David was the shepherd who became king, and because he was faithful as a shepherd boy, God made him the Shepherd-King over the nation. Yet, despite his position, David never lost his shepherd mentality. That’s why he could declare, "The Lord is my Shepherd." He knew that even though he was king, he still needed the ultimate Shepherd.

When David says, "The Lord is my Shepherd," there’s a lot wrapped up in that statement. It reveals David’s heart for God and God’s care for His people.

The Implications

First, there’s a relationship between how you see God and how you live your life. The fact that David sees the Lord as his Shepherd sets the parameters of his relationship with God. If God is the Shepherd, I follow Him. If God is the Shepherd, He will provide my every need. If God is the Shepherd, He is the leader, and I am the follower.