Psalm 23:2-6

The Shepherd Guides

Verses 2-4

v Verses 2-:3 Makes me…Leads me…

Some sheep do not want to submit to the Shepherd’s guidance. These sheep want to go their own way and do their own thing. They live by the motto: “It’s your thing, do what you want to do, aint nobody going to tell you who to sock it to!”

Phillip Keller, “A Shepherd’s Look At Psalm 23”

o The female sheep he had that was

· Attractive

· Her body was beautifully proportioned

· She had a strong constitution

· An excellent coat of wool

· Her head was always clean

· She was alert

· Well-set with bright eyes

· She bore sturdy lambs that matured rapidly

o She had one pronounced fault – She was restless, discontent, obstinate, and a fence crawler.

§ She taught her lambs the same tricks

§ Other sheep in the flock started following her example

o One morning Phillip took the killing knife and butchered her.

§ This is a solemn warning to carnal Christians, the backsliders, the half-hearted Christian, the one who wants the best of both worlds.

1. The Contemplative and Active Life (vv2-4)

a. He makes me lie down in green pastures

i. The Good Shepherd gets His sheep up early to graze and when they are full they lie down.

A. The Contemplative life

1. Memorizing and meditating on God’s word

2. Good food for the souls as the green grass is nutrient to the sheep

3. Sheep that lie down are well fed and well-nourished sheep

4. Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

B. Active Life (He me beside still waters) John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

a. Sheep need water

i. 70% of a sheep’s body is water

ii. They get water from the heavy dew of the early morning forage as they eat, or the shepherd leads them to water that he might have

dammed up.

b. This speaks of the active life of the Holy Spirit in our lives

i. John 4:10-14

1. …but the water I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life

ii. John 7:37-39

1. …from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive.

2. The Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-39)

3. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20)

4. I want to glorify the Father by bearing much fruit, and so prove to be Christ’s disciple (John 15:8)

A SHEPHERD WHO GUIDES AND PROTECTS VS 3-5 (PROTECTION)

3. He restores my soul

a. A “cast down” sheep is one that has turned over on its back and cannot get up by itself. A sheep in this position lashes out in frantic frustration and very seldom bleats for help.

b. Some sheep are notorious for being cast sheep.

i. The diligent Shepherd looks for cast sheep.

ii. Predators also: Buzzards, Vultures, dogs, coyotes, and cougars.

c. Psalm 42:1

i. Why are you [n]in despair (sunk down), O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? [o]Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The [p]help of my countenance and my God.

ii. Hebrews 12:5b-7

1. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

4. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake…

a. This speaks of discipline

b. Sheep cannot graze in one pasture more than a few days or it will become all eaten up.

c. So the Shepherd is constantly planning on where to take them for new and fresh fields.

d. The Christian life is one of self-denial, taking up one’s cross and following the Master wherever he might lead.

5. Vs 4 Even Though I walk through the valley of talmaved, I will fear no evil for you are with me.

a. In the summer months shepherds lead their flocks into the high mountainous areas.

b. To get there, they must go through the treacherous mountain valleys.

c. Has God led you through a treacherous way?

6. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me

a. The Rod was used to

i. Safeguard the shepherd and the sheep

1. A weapon of power, authority, and defense

2. A continuous comfort to the Shepherd and sheep

ii. To discipline and correctwayward sheep

iii. Moses Rod – the Rod of God

iv. The Word of God is our rod – Jesus used it when tempted

b. The Staff

i. Symbol of concern and compassion the shepherd has for his duties.

ii. It also provided comfort.

A SHEPHERD WHO PROVIDES AND ABIDES VS 5-6 (PROVISION)

7. You prepare a Table before me

a. Summer months are spent in the upper mountainous regions – the table land

8. You anoint my head with oil (Summer months – flies and insect season)

a. Parasites trouble a flock of sheep

i. Warble flies, bot flies, heel flies, nose (nasal) flies, deer flies, black flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other winged parasites proliferate in the summer months.

b. We need the oil of God’s gracious Spirit

i. The flies around us influence our thinking and beliefs

9. Surely Goodness and Love will follow me…

a. The Shepherd is always caring for the flock and he can be counted on

b. God will never leave us or forsake us

c. Lo I am with you always even to the end of the age

d. Speaks to God’s faithfulness and immutability (He doesn’t change)

e. 22 The Lord’s loving kindnesses [f]indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

10.  I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

a. I do not want to be a part of any other flock

b. I am proud I belong to Christ

c. I will boast of my good Shepherd