Psalm 23

Intro

Read Psalms 23

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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.

Personal Nature of God

Read Psalms 23:1

Psalm 23:1 ESV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

MY shepherd

In a break from convention here David call the Lord his personal Shepherd

other places in the old testament we typically see God reffered to as our God

But David makes this psalm so personal by stating that God is not just the shepherd of the masses but Actually my Shepherd

from our youngest ages we understand mine

Right the little kid takes and holds close “Mine he says”

Later that kid is playing with friends and that special thing is taken “but that was my …”

then its my car

My job

My wife

My kids

We love to posses

But here David is pointing to a two way possession

My Shepherd

The Lord is mine

I get to look to him

I get to love him

I get to know him

Such a beautiful truth

We can look to Lord and say that is my shepherd

We do this with admiration and appreciation

I struggle to come to a comparison that would fit for everone

but for me I think of my dad and maybe more so my grandpa

As a kid these men could do no wrong in my sight

They were giants among men

I would tell anyone thats my grandpa

With so much pride in my heart he is mine

Thats my shepherd

And whats even better than be able to claim him is he claims us

We are his sheep

Ezekiel 34:7–16 ESV

7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. 11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

This is a long cross refrence but Just look at what the Lord says here as he compares himself with the shepherds of Isreal who have failed

I will rescue my sheep

I will search for them

I will feed them

I will bring them out

I will bind the injured

So beautiful not only can we call the Lord my shepherd, but he calls himself my shepherd

With a sense of love and endurement he looks at us and calls us his sheep

He says I am your shepherd

I can say I feel the same in a earthly sense about this church

I look at everyone here and can say with love and endurment this is my flock

I tell everyone this is my church

That the Lord would say of himself that I am his sheep

is so humbling but such an encouragments

He calls me his sheep and I call him My shepherd

This is just the first 5 words

I shall not want

Not only does he know me but with him I have no wants

He provides for me

How????

Provision from God

Read Psalms 23:2-3

Psalm 23:2–3 ESV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

He gives rest for his sheep in the prime areas

The best most tender grass

The best food

The softest to lay in

It’s ok that we get a very serene picture of this

He leads me beside still water

I can find peace in him and through him

The world may be in chaos but the water the lord gives us is still and gentle

He provides peace for us

He restores my soul

He makes new my soul daily

In him when I am weary the lord will restore my soul

He will lead me to righteousness

He is so gracious to not just leave us where we are but

He will find us restore us and grow us

Not just for our own good but really for his glory

For his names sake

We are his sheep he is our shepherd and provides for us and gives us hope for the future

Promises of God

Read Psalms 23:4-6

Psalm 23:4–6 ESV

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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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.

Our shepherd will comfort us

This is the passage that many of us look to for hope

The imagery is so opposite from what we just saw

The image of green pastures and still waters and beautiful pathways

Are exchanged for valley in the shadows

Evil surrounds us

But God is with us

Last night at autozone Adeline was scared but dad came and all was good

Even when we walk through those dark times in our lives our shepherd walks with us

He walks with his rod and staff to guide me and fend off evil

Not only his staff but his rod also

I know the rod brings comfort to me because there is protection there

But also he has his staff to guide me

When I wander in that valley his staff lovingly brings me back into the fold

My shepherd does not correct me out of anger but out of love and I find comfort in this

Prepares a table for us

Even in the presences of enemies

There is safety at his table

We are annointed there protected by him

Surely goodness and mercy

The Shepherd Who Leads Us

Bible Passage: Psalm 23:1-6

Summary: Psalm 23 beautifully depicts God as the shepherd who guides, protects, and provides for his people, assuring them of His presence and care throughout all circumstances of life.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand the depth of God's care and guidance in their lives, especially during tough times. It encourages them to trust in God's provision and direction, knowing they are never alone in their journeys.

Teaching: This passage teaches about the comfort and assurance found in God's leadership. It emphasizes that while life may bring challenges, the believer can find peace and restoration in the presence of their Shepherd, who walks with them through every valley.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ is revealed as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), who fulfills the promise made in Psalm 23. He cares for His flock, gives His life for them, and leads them into abundant life, echoing the themes of protection and provision found throughout Scripture.

Big Idea: Trusting in God’s shepherding leads to peace amidst life’s uncertainties, knowing we are protected and provided for under His care.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the Hebrew terms used in Psalm 23 to find deeper insights into God's nature as the shepherd. Check resources in your Logos library that discuss the cultural significance of shepherding in ancient Israel. Additionally, examine commentaries that delve into the theological implications of God’s provision and guidance as illustrated in this psalm.

1. Provision in Every Season

Psalm 23:1-2

You could highlight how these verses assure the believer of God's provision and rest. As the Lord is our shepherd, He guarantees that we lack nothing essential, providing peace and restoration. In a world filled with anxiety and chaos, these truths encourage Christians to pause and reflect on God's faithfulness, trusting Him fully for their needs, just as a sheep trusts its shepherd. Engage the church with stories or analogies about sheep and shepherds, illustrating how Christ, our Good Shepherd, leads us to spiritual nourishment and tranquility.

2. Presence in the Valleys

Psalm 23:3-4

It's crucial to emphasize that God not only provides but actively guides the believer along righteous paths. Even when faced with dark valleys, there is no need to fear, for God’s presence offers comfort and strength. Perhaps dwell on the idea that God uses our hardships as pathways to grow and cleanse us. Share testimonies or biblical narratives of individuals who, despite terrifying seasons, experienced God’s unwavering guidance and protection. Encourage the congregation to remember that Christ walks with us, embodying the perfect Shepherd’s role.

3. Promise of Eternal Abundance

Psalm 23:5-6

In these verses, consider reflecting on the abundant blessings and eternal security found in God’s care. A banquet prepared in the presence of adversaries symbolizes a victory and assurance only possible through our Shepherd’s protection. Likewise, God’s goodness and love follow believers all the days of their lives, promising eternal fellowship in His presence. Maybe connect this image with Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Use this point to inspire hope, focusing on how Jesus provides both abundant life now and a promise of eternity with Him.