The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23

Introduction:

When people think of the Psalms, one that comes to mind almost immediately is Psalm 23. It has been sung in hymns, preached in pulpits, and memorized by many. But today, as we look at it together, we’ll be reminded again that even in the face of evil, wickedness, and darkness, the Lord remains our faithful Shepherd. He is still sovereign, still in control, and still at work.

Prayer:

Read The Text:

Psalm 23

Context:

David is the author of this Psalm. He used to be a shepherd and knew that job inside and out.

David’s time as a shepherd prepared him for his time as king over the Israelites. God did not waste David’s time as a shepherd. When he was in the pastures day in and day out shepherding those wandering sheep, God was preparing him for something bigger.

David knows that the Lord cares for him deeply. He had an intimate and personal relationship with Him that is going to be played out in this specific Psalm.

Question to wrestle with: Are you letting God Shepherd your life right now?

Walk Through The Text:

POINT ONE: A Good Shepherd Cares For His Sheep

Read Verse 1

What is the role of a Shepherd?

The Shepherd provides for the sheep: He provides for their needs, guides them, and protects them.

Sheep are used as examples over 200 times throughout the bible in teachings and parables. God is reminding us early and often that we are like sheep.

God is our good Shepherd! We can celebrate that even right here, right now!

God knows what we need, when we need it. He is a good Shepherd! We need to let Him lead us.

Read Verse 2 (Read this verse from the standpoint of a day in the life of a sheep being shepherded. David is putting himself into character of a sheep)

The Shepherd At Work (rest, eating, drinking).

After reading this verse several times, I realized I would not have had the patience to be a Shepherd haha. I got the opportunity last year to fill-in and coach Ella’s soccer game with other 5-6 year old's.

Think about how good our Shepherd is to us as sheep:

Patient with us

Loving to us

Provider for us

We have the greatest Shepherd of all. Have you thanked Him recently for that?

Point TWO: A Good Shepherd Leads His Sheep

Read Verse 3

He provides our Spiritual needs

Our hearts are renewed in Him.

We can trust Him to lead us on the right pathway, not lead us astray like the enemy does. God is not out there to trick us or confuse us.

Without a Shepherd, sheep will wander. God leads us in the right paths, away from danger and trouble.

Point THREE: A Good Shepherd Walks With His Sheep

Read Verse 4

Every mountain has its valleys

David is emphasizing when he goes through trials, he knows that God is with him and he will not fear what he goes through.

The imagery of God being with him, His rod and staff comfort David. Beautiful imagery of a Shepherd walking side by side with His sheep as they go through the valleys, guiding them step by step. God does the same for us if we let Him.

POINT FOUR: A Good Shepherd Blesses His Sheep

Read Verse 5

God is the gracious Host/Servant, we are the guests in this picture.

In the midst of David’s enemies or opposition from the enemy, God blessed him in multiple ways:

Prepared a table before him (Fed him like at a banquet feast),

Anointed his head with oil (Sign of welcoming a guest/blessing a guest),

His cup overflowed (The Lord fills his cup abundantly)

God does all of this for us.

Read Verse 6

God's blessings remain with His people, those who have chosen Him.

David acknowledged in the previous verses more than enough proof that as sheep in God’s pastures, He being the great Shepherd will take care of us and provide for us and guide us in abundance of what we could ever do for ourselves.

When was the last time you bragged on how good God is? He is still your Shepherd, your Provider.

Applications:

Have comfort in the Shepherd

Be led by the Shepherd

Remember: God is still in control

Where Do We Go From Here: Spend time in prayer

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However God has spoken to you this morning to respond, do it!