Jehovah Raah

Jehovah Raah — The Lord Is My Shepherd

“Cared For, Led, and Kept by God”

Primary Text: Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (v.1)

INTRODUCTION: WE ALL NEED GUIDANCE (8 minutes)

Every one of us is being led by something.

Some are led by fear.

Some by pressure.

Some by past wounds.

Some by ambition.

Some by survival.

Scripture makes something clear from the very beginning:

Human beings were never created to lead themselves.

And Psalm 23 opens with one of the most intimate declarations in all of Scripture:

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

Not a shepherd.

Not the shepherd of Israel.

But my shepherd.

This is not theology at a distance.

This is relationship.

I. THE MEANING OF “JEHOVAH RAAH” (Psalm 23:1) (10 minutes)

The Hebrew word Raah means:

To tend

To feed

To guide

To protect

To care for continually

A shepherd does not manage sheep from afar.

A shepherd lives among them.

Teaching Aid

“A shepherd’s job is not speed — it’s faithfulness.”

When David says, “I shall not want,”

he is not claiming wealth.

He is declaring trust.

II. WHY WE STRUGGLE WITH GOD AS SHEPHERD (10 minutes)

Sheep are not praised in Scripture for intelligence.

They are dependent, vulnerable, and easily lost.

Isaiah 53:6:

“All we like sheep have gone astray…”

Pastoral Insight

We resist the shepherd because we want control —

but sheep without a shepherd don’t become free,

they become lost.

Illustration: GPS vs. Pride

Many people refuse directions until they are hopelessly lost.

God’s guidance is not restrictive —

it is protective.

III. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES REST AND DIRECTION (Psalm 23:2–3) (10 minutes)

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

Sheep will not lie down unless they feel safe.

God gives rest before He demands movement.

Teaching Aid

“Rest is not laziness — it is trust.”

“He leads me beside still waters.”

Still waters don’t frighten sheep.

God does not drive His people —

He leads them.

IV. THE SHEPHERD WALKS WITH US THROUGH DARKNESS (Psalm 23:4) (10 minutes)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

Notice:

Through, not to

Shadow, not substance

Pastoral Insight

God does not always remove valleys —

but He never abandons His sheep.

The rod protects.

The staff guides.

Illustration: A Shepherd’s Tools

The rod fights off enemies.

The staff pulls sheep back from danger.

Discipline and comfort often come from the same hand.

V. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES IN THE PRESENCE OF ENEMIES (Psalm 23:5) (7 minutes)

God prepares a table in the presence of enemies.

Peace is not found in escape —

peace is found in presence.

Teaching Aid

“Provision is not proof the enemy is gone — it is proof God is near.”

VI. GOODNESS, MERCY, AND ETERNAL SECURITY (Psalm 23:6) (5 minutes)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…”

The word follow literally means pursue.

God’s goodness is not passive.

It chases His people.

And the destination:

“I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

VII. JESUS: THE GOOD SHEPHERD (John 10:11) (5 minutes)

Jesus says:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Jehovah Raah is fully revealed in Jesus.

He doesn’t abandon wounded sheep.

He doesn’t outrun weak ones.

He lays down His life.

VIII. EXTENDED PRAYER MINISTRY & ALTAR CALL (15 minutes)

Invitation

Some of you are tired of leading yourself.

Some are weary from bad decisions.

Some feel lost.

Some feel exposed.

The Shepherd is calling His sheep home.

Prayer Focus Areas

Direction and clarity

Trust after failure

Rest for weary souls

Protection from fear

Recommitment to following God

Guided Pastoral Prayer

“Jehovah Raah,

We stop running.

We stop striving.

We place ourselves under Your care.

Lead us.

Restore us.

Keep us.”

(Allow extended prayer and personal ministry.)

CLOSING SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 5:4:

“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

COMING NEXT (FINAL SERMON)

Jehovah Tsidkenu — The Lord Our Righteousness

(Right Standing Through Grace, Not Effort)

When ready, say:

“Next sermon: Jehovah Tsidkenu”