The Art of Being Shepherded

Psalm 23:1-6

Greet the visitors

acknowledgements : Jesus, Pastor and WOWBC, Children and finally but not fumbling my Queen.

Written by David under a united Israel

“The LORD” literally God of Heaven and Earth, YHWH

This demonstrates a level of faith and trust that David expresses here even if his life doesn’t always match his verbal expressions

David declares that even under the shepherds of Israel (Kings) that the LORD would be his shepherd

The kings and leaders of nations were considered to be Shepherds

No doubt David was recalling his time as a Shepherd boy, and drawing parallels from his experience both as sheep and shepherd and ascribing those Shepherd details to God almighty

Because the LORD is my shepherd, I do not want. My needs are covered because he is a shepherd who provides.

Because I am a sheep, i have to depend on YHWH to provide for me and care for me. Sheep have no claws, or offensive or defensive weaponry. no sharp teeth, no hunting skills, all sheep do as herbivores is graze where there is green grass. Sheep aren’t all that smart either, although they can sense danger and often sense it most when outside of the sheepfold (away from other sheep or gone astray) sheep rely solely on someone else to provide comfort, protection, provision, direction, and correction.

The sheep is smart enough to know what it isn’t capable of doing. The sheep is also smart enough to know when things have gone wrong but because sheep are so absent minded and prone to wonder… they get into some curious situations. (wave your hands if you can relate)

In other words the sheep are totally dependent on a source. And David here declares that his source is the one who can and is able and is all powerful and is GOOD.\

David declares this bit of encouragement

laying in the best of gardens/fields

finding rest in his provision

finding peace and relaxation in his leadership

restoring soul- he makes me to be at such a peace as the original peace as intended for humanity pre-fall in the garden of Eden

he leads me the right and correct ways, according to his judgement for his glory

he makes me go left, right, up, down, broken, fulfilled, kept, restored, rested, or any other position for his GLORY

v4 the idea of being a sheep in the valley, as the shepherd leads to substance is a journey of often not commonly traversed terrain. some areas are more dangerous than others as certain predators arise in this area that aren’t in the last area. the valley isn’t literal but it is actual.

the valley can be a place where eminent danger is and the shepherd is fully aware and either the sheep wonder there or the shepherd leads us there

if the sheep wonder there, the shepherd is faithful to restore us sheep.

if the sheep are led there than the shepherd is faithful enough to KEEP us sheep while we are there.

so yes i may walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I’ll fear no evil for the Good Shepherd is with me

Rod/Staff- sometimes used interchange-ably as both weapon for potential threats, and for discipline for the sheep. The rod is commonly used for str8en while the staff is normally used for gathering and direction.

and both bring comfort to David as a reminder that yes it may be the rod for discipline or the staff to keep me on track but both are indicators that despite the chaos in the world around me I am still HIS therefore I am still safe!

Listen church there is no better place to be for a believer than in the will of GOD!

v5 being able to rest in the LORD comes with the benefits of freedom to rest anywhere. even in the presence of people who may not look favorably on us

the idea of this is that even though we are surrounded and it looks bad for us to get out of this situation, The LORD has it handled and we might not escape tonight but we will still have peace and provision in him.

He is still choosing us, and anointing us as his.

he provides so much that we don’t have a cup big enough to take it all.

that may not mean money, but wisdom or knowledge or giftings or service to others. listen, don’t think it strange that the LORD provides overflow not for self gratification but to be a blessing to others

Land the plane with the gospel, introduce Jesus to those who may not know him and present repentance to those who do.

He lives, a perfect and sinless life, he died a sacrificial death that he didn’t deserve but we did, he certainly did die and was dead for three days, he rose with all power in his hand making and open mockery of death, demonstrating his power of the sin and the grave, he ascended and sits at the right hand of the father (the ultimate shepherd) and he promised to return at a time appointed but unknown. surely if he can lead us and guide us and he has been faithful, we certainly have no reason to doubt him now.

altar call

tithes and offering

announcements

pass the mic to Earthel/Elder Phil/Elder Larry for closing remarks