A Child of Yahweh
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Sick Sheep Follows Anyone
An American, traveling in Syria, saw three native shepherds bring their flocks to the same brook, and the flocks drank there together. At length one shepherd arose and called out, “Men-ah! men-ah!,” the Arabic for “follow me.” His sheep came out of the common herd and followed him up the hillside. The next shepherd did the same, and his sheep went away with him, and the man did not even stop to count them.
The traveler said to the remaining shepherd, “Give me your turban and crook, and see if they will not follow me as well as you.” So he put on the shepherd’s dress and called out, “Men-ah! men-ah!” Not a sheep moved. They know not a voice of a stranger. “Will your flock never follow anybody but you?” inquired the gentleman. The Syrian shepherd replied, “Oh, yes; sometimes a sheep gets sick, and then he will follow any one.”
CONNECTION
Distractions in life.
Threats
Perceived threats
Discomforts
Frustrations
Unmet wants & desires
TAKE HOME
Yahweh continually cares for His people, meeting every physical, emotional, and mental need.
MESSAGE FOCUS
What God offers that should overshadow all the distractions in life they rob our joy.
Scripture Introduction
My Shepherd: Yahweh
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Everything a shepherd entails.
Everything Yahweh entails.
My needs: Met
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Confident that He will provide us with everything we need.
My location: Perfect
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Normalcy of life and when there is a change.
My condition: restored
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
I’m no longer who I once was.
My walk: Righteous
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
When we are led by the shepherd, every path is the right path.
My state: Peace
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.
Because of Yahweh’s presence, protection, and direction, Evil will not prevail when we travel the dark, uncharted paths before us. For we have Yahweh’s protection and guidance.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
The sheep imagery has served its purpose, and the metaphor is no more.
Blessings Amidst Difficulties
Blessings Amidst Difficulties
The sun blazes overhead as you sprint across the endless desert, the sand burning beneath your feet. Every breath sears your lungs, your heart pounding as you glance back at the distant figure gaining ground. Sweat stings your eyes as you push forward toward a lone tent. Grabbing hold of the rope supporting the tent, you double over, struggling to catch your breath. The occupant gently lifts you and leads you to a table laden with food and cool drinks. He keeps your pursuer at bay, then soothes your sun-scorched face and feet with oil. Exhausted and afraid, you finally find peace and restoration.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Ancient Near East custom of host being responsible for the guest.
A bond of fellowship
The table represents God’s provisions.
Before me
It is in front of me, because it is for me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
There are no other options, there are always enemies but they cannot prevent the provisions.
The emphasis is not on the enemies, but he actions of the host. It is out numbered 3 to 1. They are not a major player, because God sustains us.
2 Samuel 17:24 “Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.”
2 Samuel 17:28–29 “brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.””
Enemies all around, but God has provided a table.
Parallels
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The enemy will come, even when we are on the right path. Probably more so.
*APPLICATION
Yahweh offers blessings even in the midst of life’s challenges, bringing comfort and hope during difficult times.
Don’t leave the table God has prepared for you, because you think there might be something better elsewhere or the enemies all around.
Judas went out from a literal table, with clean feet and feed, to pursue something better.
*IMPLEMENTATION
Enjoy Yahweh’s provisions.
Focus on the good in your life and not the disappointments and hurts.
Elect
Sprinkled with His blood
Grace & peace (multiplied)
Born again to a living hope
Salvation
Joy that is inexpressible filled with glory
Faith and hope
Purified souls
Renewal of Strength
Renewal of Strength
The occupant gently lifts you and leads you to a table laden with food and cool drinks. He keeps your pursuer at bay, then soothes your sun-scorched face and feet with oil.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Oil soothes the skin from the damage of the heat
Shows honor to a guest
Luke 7:46 “You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.”
Hospitality of Yahweh our host
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
This should be a goal of both worship and fellowship in the church as the body of Christ. - Grant R. Osborn
Parallels
Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
He is protected by a power greater than his enemies.
*APPLICATION
Just as oil soothes dry skin, Yahweh will heal and restore your soul from the scars left by this world.
*REFLECTION
Where does this truth apply?
John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
The shift in Psalm 23 is a reminder we are not just sheep, we are welcomed friends.
Provisions for the Journey
Provisions for the Journey
Coming to the Lord constantly for the same circumstance but different situation.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Parallels
Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”
The full provisions behind the needs.
*APPLICATION
We are not only supplied with all we need, but we are also given abundantly more than what is necessary.
Never left in need.
And, if your cup overflows, make sure it overflows into someone else’s cup. -Iain D. Campbell
*IMPLEMENTATION
Matthew 7:7–8 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
1 Jn 5:14, this is the confidence we have
Trouble Psalm 50:15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.””
Wisdom James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Needs John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Summary
Yahweh continually cares for His people, meeting every physical, emotional, and mental need.
Blessings Amidst Difficulties
prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies
Renewal of Our Strength
anoints my head with oil
Provisions for the Journey
my cup overflows
What God offers can overshadow all the distractions in life that rob us of our joy.
Reflection
In what ways have you experienced God's care, strength, and provision—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—despite the distractions or challenges in your life?
Think of this when you sing, “everything I need, my father has it”
and, “I know the Lord will provide”
Consider, What God offers that should overshadow all the distractions in life they rob our joy, when singing “seek first the kingdom and its treasures”
