A Sheep’s-Eye View: What Makes God a Shepherd Worth Following

Intro: Theme/Topic (What’s the problem, the question, etc.)

Has anyone here ever seen one of those videos where someone straps a camera to an animal? You can find them all over the internet. People strap GoPro cameras…

To their dogs, To their cats — I've even seen one strapped to an eagle.

And when you watch the footage, everything looks completely different.

The ground is closer. People are enormous. Things that wouldn't scare you at all suddenly look absolutely terrifying — like a vacuum cleaner.

Now imagine you could strap a GoPro to a sheep — What would you see when you saw the shepherd through the sheep’s eyes?

That's Psalm 23.

About three thousand years ago, a man named David sat down to write about God. Now David had been a lot of things in his life —

He'd been a warrior, A fugitive, A king.

But before any of that… He was a shepherd.

He spent years out in the fields caring for sheep. He knew what sheep needed. He knew how helpless they were. And when he wanted to describe what God had been to him — he didn't reach for the language of thrones and palaces.

He said, "The LORD is my shepherd."

And what David gives us in this psalm is the GoPro footage. He shows us what God looks like from a sheep's point of view.

Let's read it together. Psalm 23.

Scripture

Psalm 23 ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This God’s Word!

Prayer

God we thank you for the treasure of Your Word. Show us this morning the beauty of Your character in Your Word and may it turn our hearts back to You, where true joy is found! We ask this in Jesus’ name — Amen!

Intro: Formal (give context to passage, setting the scene, big idea)

Now here's what I want us to think about for the next few minutes. David clearly trusts this Shepherd with his whole life. The question is — What makes God a Shepherd worth following?

David gives us three answers. He shows us:

A Shepherd who provides

A Shepherd who is present

A Shepherd who pursues.

And by the time we're done, I think you'll see that… This is the God David knew — and He's the only Shepherd worth following.

The Shepherd Who Provides

First, notice who this Shepherd is — He is the LORD in the original Hebrew, this is the personal name of God — Yahweh…

The God who IS Who always WAS And forever WILL BE!

Unlimited in POWER Unlimited in KNOWLEDGE Abounding in LOVE & FAITHFULNESS

This isn't just any shepherd.

This is the God who made the stars, Who holds the oceans in His hand —

And David says this God is MY Shepherd.

And because of WHO this Shepherd is, David lacks no good thing… As David wrote in Psalm 34:10

Psalm 34:10 ESV

Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

But this doesn’t mean that God is a magic genie who gives us everything we wish for.

It means that with God as his Shepherd, David lacks nothing that he needs to experience true joy in this life and to become who God created him to be.

So, what do sheep need to be good sheep?

First, David shows us the Shepherd makes us lie down in green pastures. But this is not a picture of feeding. Because sheep don’t eat while they’re laying down.

This a picture of sheep so well-fed, so satisfied, that they lie down int he middle of the food. — This contentment. The Lord’s sheep are satisfied.

But we aren’t literal sheep. And we don’t eat grass. So, what is it that fills us up and satisfies our souls?

Jesus answered that question Himself. He said…

Matthew 4:4 ESV

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

And then He went even further when He said,

John 6:35 ESV

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Do you hear what Jesus is saying? He's saying that He Himself — known best through God's Word — is what feeds and satisfies our souls.

Aren’t you glad that God has given us Jesus and His Word so that we can know Him and be satisfied with Him?!

Kids, can I tell you something? One of the best things you will ever do in your whole life is learn to love God's Word. It will feed your soul when nothing else can.

Next, David says God leads him beside still waters. The original Hebrew here says, “waters of rest.” And sheep don’t find this on their own. They need the Shepherd to lead them to it.

Will you trust the Lord to lead you to true rest?

We try to find rest in all kinds of places, like…

Sports, entertainment, and video games…

And those things aren't bad! But be honest — have they ever truly given your soul rest? Or do they leave you wanting more?"

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–29 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

And one of the ways God gives us that rest is right here — gathering with His people on Sundays to hear His Word together.

Parents, can I encourage you? Make this a committed part of your family's life. Not out of obligation — but because this is a primary place where God has promised to give rest to your souls.

Next, David says the Shepherd restores his soul.

Did you know that when sheep lie down, they sometimes roll on to their backs and get stuck with their legs in the air and unable to flip themselves over!?

When this happens it’s called a CAST sheep — and it’s very dangerous because this leaves them completely helpless and vulnerable to predators.

When a sheep is cast, it cannot save itself. It needs the Shepherd to turn it back on its feet.

And this is what this word “RESTORES” means = to turn back.

Sometimes in life, we get cast or stuck spiritually — and this can be dangerous for our souls.

Maybe you’re someone who used to really love Jesus and being with His people but somewhere along the way life got busy and other things became higher priorities and now you don’t desire Jesus like you used to — You’re stuck. And you’re not sure how to get back on your feet and onto the right path again.

If that's you this morning, I want you to hear what David is saying: You don't have to figure out how to get back on your feet by yourself. That's the Shepherd's job. Trust Him — and He will turn your heart back.

And here’s what makes this so amazing…He doesn’t do any of this because we’ve been perfect sheep — because we’re not!

We wander We get stuck We’re helpless

But He provides and restores For His name’s sake.

He does this to protect the reputation of His character. In other words, He does this to show the world what an awesome God He is!

Every time God provides for you, every time He picks you back up — He's putting His own goodness on display.

So, remember, God doesn’t provide for you because you’ve been perfectly good. He provides because He’s a perfectly good Shepherd!

David has just shown us a Shepherd who provides everything we need — food, rest, and restoration.

But now the scenery changes. The green pastures disappear. The still waters are gone. And David walks into the darkest place he's ever been.

And what he discovers there tells us the second reason this Shepherd is worth following. Look at verse 4 with me…

The Shepherd Who Is Present

The first thing I want you to see here is that in the green pastures and still waters, David was telling us ABOUT God the Shepherd.

But it’s in the dark valley of verse 4 where he switches to talking directly to God.

Because it wasn't in the green pastures that David knew God most intimately — it was in the valley.

When danger is closest, the Shepherd becomes most personal.

Now notice a few things about this dark valley:

First, David doesn’t just go INTO this valley — he goes THROUGH it!

That word “THROUGH” really matters!

Because this valley has an entrance AND an exit. The Shepherd doesn’t keep you from walking into hard and scary places, but He guarantees you will come out the other side!

Next, notice that David doesn’t say there is no evil.

The danger and the darkness are real. And what gives David the courage to say he fears no evil is not the absence of evil — It’s the presence of the Shepherd!

I will fear no evil, for You are with me!

Kids, God doesn’t promise to take away every scary thing in your life. He promises you something even better! — That He will be right there with you as you walk THROUGH it!

Now, consider the rod and the staff.

The rod is a weapon used to fight of predators — It’s how the Shepherd protects the sheep.

The staff is the long hook the Shepherd uses to pull the sheep back onto the path.

But these tools only comfort us because it is the Shepherd who holds them. And if you want to know how strong His grip is, listen to what Jesus said about His sheep in John 10…

John 10:28 ESV

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

This means it is not our ability to keep ourselves on the path that should comfort us. It’s the fact that once we are His, God will never let us go.

It’s not our ability to hold onto Him — It’s His ability to hold onto us!

Now notice how the scene changes in verse 5…

The enemies are still there but everything has changed. David is no longer in the dark valley — he’s sitting down to eat at the Shepherd’s table!

And the table is not hidden — it’s set in full view. The Shepherd doesn’t just protect you from your enemies. He honors you right in front of them! They’re reduced to being spectators of His blessings!

Notice two things about this meal:

First, He anoints our heads with oil.

This is not something God does from a distance. Just picture it —

The Shepherd kneels down, Takes the sheep’s head in His hands, And gently pours oil over its wounds! This is hands-on personal care.

A shepherd would often do this to help treat wounds and repel insects after a long hard journey.

But anointing someone’s head with oil was also how a host would show honor to a guest!

It’s a way of saying, “You are welcome here and you are valued!”

Next, look at the overflowing cup.

The goodness and blessing of this meal with the Shepherd is not just enough — it overflows with abundance. It’s more than enough.

Kids, do you remember the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish?

Everyone ate until they were full — And there were still twelve baskets of leftovers!

That's what God's provision looks like. Not barely enough. More than enough!

This is what David himself says in Psalm 16…

Psalm 16:11 ESV

In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This is the kind of Shepherd David has —

Not a distant manager watching from a hilltop, But a personal Shepherd… Who kneels beside you, Walks with you through the valleys, And sits you down at His table as His honored guest. And in His presence there is fullness of joy.

So, David has shown us that the Shepherd provides and that the Shepherd is present. But David isn’t done yet.

In his final line, he tells us something that should stop us in our tracks! Look with me now at verse 6…

The Shepherd Who Pursues

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

That word “follow” sounds gentle — like God’s goodness and mercy are quietly walking behind us at a comfortable distance.

But this is not what this Hebrew word means.

This is the same word the Bible uses to describe how David’s enemies pursued him — how armies chased him down!

Parents, you know that sinking feeling when you glance in your rearview mirror and see those flashing lights behind you?

You weren’t looking for that officer… That officer found you! That’s pursuit!

But this is pursuit in the best possible way. Because it’s not danger chasing you — It’s the goodness and covenant keeping love of God that is running you down!

Kids, I know you’ve played the game tag… You know what it feels like when someone is chasing you? That's what this word means — except what's chasing you isn't the “it-person” — It's God's goodness!

But notice that David doesn't just say goodness follows him — he says goodness and MERCY. And that word 'mercy' in Hebrew is the word HESED — and it means so much more than just mercy…

It's God's unfailing, Promise-keeping, Covenant love.

A love that never quits, Never forgets, And never breaks its word.

And this is paired with “goodness.” And David has already shown us what that goodness looks like:

Green pastures— Still waters— A restored soul— God’s protecting and keeping presence!— A seat of honor at His table— And an overflowing cup!

All of that is chasing you! You don’t have to go looking for it… Because it will find you!

And this great psalm ends where every sheep ultimately belongs — home with the shepherd.

David says you shall DWELL in the house of the LORD forever.

Not visit. Not pass through. But DWELL… Forever!

And notice how David begins this verse — He says SURELY.

Not MAYBE. Not I HOPE so. This is not wishful thinking

This is a SURE and certain home!

And you don’t have to wonder if this promise will come true — because it’s not waiting for you to earn it or find it. It’s already chasing you down!

You don’t have to be… Fast enough, Smart enough, Or good enough to find God’s love.

Because His love is already running after you!

Conclusion/Response (Gospel & Repent/Believe)

Friends, David wrote this psalm about a thousand years before Jesus was born. And then Jesus showed up and said something that changes everything…

John 10:11 ESV

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

Do you hear what Jesus is saying? He’s not saying, He’s “LIKE” a good shepherd. He’s saying I am the Good Shepherd that David wrote about…

Jesus is the Shepherd who provides — He is the Bread of Life that satisfies our hunger and the Living Water by which we will never thirst again.

Jesus is the Shepherd who is present — He walked through the darkest valley anyone could ever walk through when He died for us on the cross.

Jesus is the Shepherd who pursues — Leaving His throne in Heaven to come for you.

Every other shepherd would sacrifice his sheep to save himself. — But Jesus is the only Shepherd who laid down His life to save His sheep.

And three days later, Jesus walked out of that valley alive — The only Shepherd who went through death and came out the other side.

And because He did, every one of His sheep will too!

And we can say with David: “I SHALL dwell in the house of the LORD forever!”

This morning, I want to ask everyone in this room a simple question: kids, parents, grandparents — everyone.

Is Jesus your Shepherd?

Not: Do you know about Him Not: Have you heard about Him

But is He YOURS? Can you say with David… Not just from memory but from your heart… “The LORD is MY Shepherd”?

Maybe you’ve been trying to be your own shepherd…

Providing for yourself Protecting yourself Figuring out life on your own.

And if you’re honest. Your exhausted. And your stuck. You’re like a cast sheep on it’s back who can’t flip yourself over.

You don't have to fix yourself this morning. You just have to trust Jesus — the Good Shepherd — to forgive you and turn your life around.

Maybe you’re here today because your child had a great week at VBS. So, you came to see what this church is all about.

Can I tell you something? That’s not an accident. The Shepherd who pursues has been chasing you. And I believe He brought you here this morning… Not so we could sell you anything or pressure you into something.

But so you could hear this:

There is a God who loves you, and who sent His Son to die for you... To forgive you and give you life — full and forever life!

Will you respond this morning by saying YES to Jesus? Either for the first time?… Or to come back to Him after a season of wandering from Him?

There will be people available up front here after the service to talk and pray with anyone who wants to say — maybe even for the very first time —

The LORD is MY Shepherd.

Prayer

LORD, thank you for being the Shepherd who provides, who is present, and who pursues. For anyone in this room who is hearing your voice this morning, give them the courage to respond.

And for all of us, help us to say — and to mean — 'The LORD is my Shepherd.' We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep. — AMEN!

Closing Song: Shepherd

Closing Words:

Friends, everything we’ve seen today in Psalm 23, all points to one person — Jesus — The Good Shepherd who laid down His life so that His sheep could come home.

Final Gospel Appeal:

Now if God has been stirring something in your heart during this service — if something in you is saying, “I need this Shepherd” — Don’t ignore that. It’s not just a feeling — That’s the Shepherd pursuing you!

Coming to Jesus isn’t complicated. You simply trust Him, like that cast sheep. Admitting you need a Savior and that you can’t save yourself. Just tell Him, I believe you died and rose again for me. Please forgive me and be my Shepherd.

Next Steps:

If Jesus is already your Shepherd and you’re ready to take a next step in your faith: Baptism, Membership, wanting to grow more… Let us know by taping your phone to the white NFC tag in your pew and filling out our Next Steps form. Then someone will reach out to help you take your next step.

Missional Charge:

Now church, you have neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends who are living like sheep without a shepherd. They're stuck. They're wandering. They're exhausted from trying to be their own shepherd. And the same love that chased you down is meant to reach them — through you.

Be the friend who listens. And be the friend who says, "Let me tell you about my Shepherd."

Benediction: Jude 24–25

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”