The Lord is a Good Shepherd
Proposition: We are like sheep. We cannot provide for ourselves, we cannot find our way, neither can we protect ourselves. We must learn to lean on the only good shepherd: God.
Introduction: Sometimes we want to do it ourselves.
Sometimes as father of small children I must learn a delicate balance between doing for my children and letting them do for them selves. On the one hand if I do not allow my child to experience the process of trial and error, then the growth and development of this child into an adult can be hindered. On the other hand if I allow a child to perform a task that is clearly beyond his capabilities, either mentally or physically, then I risk either emotional or bodily harm, if not death.
It would be so easy if a child had something like a thermometer with markings and a scale that told a parent just what tasks would be acceptable. The scale could be as simple as the words “too hard” on one side and the words “too easy” on the other side. Maybe there could be a thick line exactly in the middle to represent “Just right”. This scale could be called the “G. L. Factor” of a task to the child. (G. L. Factor= Goldie Lochs Factor).
With no such tool to measure the task to the child I am left to make mistakes. I usually ask a great deal from my children, and then I swing to the other extreme and don’t allow them to do the task at hand. It is then that a strange thing happens. My child wants to do that which is clearly out of his capacity. The task may be entirely too difficult for him, but he insists on continuing to try without the benefit of help or guidance. Does he want to impress or please me? Do we do the same with God?
Do we sometimes want to do for ourselves when we clearly need help? There are some things in life that we cannot handle by ourselves. Will we turn to God, or will we keep trying until we give up in defeat and frustration?
(Transition: The Psalm writer understood not only his limitations, but he also knew who provided him with help in times of trouble.)
I. The qualities of a shepherd
1. Tender
2. Strong
3. Giving
II. The relationship of shepherd
1. Is the Lord your shepherd? (v.1)
David was very familiar with the life and responsibilities of a shepherd, because that is where he was when he was called to the office of king. Not only did he understand the life of a shepherd he also understood the life of the sheep. He knew how helpless the sheep were. As a shepherd David had to provide not only for needs such as food and water, but he also had to provide for their safety and guidance. By identifying God as his shepherd, David is admitting at least two things: One, he is identifying himself as one who is very dependant, and two, he is claiming to depend on God to provide for him.
As Christians we must also have this frame of thought. To not affirm both of these sentiments may actually disqualify someone as a Christian. If one feels self sufficient, why would they call out to any one for help? If one does feel the need to ask for help, but depends on someone or something other than Our Lord and Savior, then how can one say that he is a Christian?
Are you like a sheep? Are you helpless? Do you need help? Is the Lord you shepherd? If the Lord is your shepherd, then you know him and He knows you.
2. The Lord knows and is known of his sheep. (John. 10:3-5,14)
In the tenth chapter of John, Jesus describes us as the sheep of his pasture, and Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd. As Shepherd Jesus has an intimate relationship with us (His flock). In Palestine shepherds would gather all their flocks together for safety. In the morning a shepherd would call to all the sheep, but only his sheep would respond to his voice. The sheep would know that voice as one that they have herd so many times over their life. If Jesus is you Shepherd, then you will know Him when he calls
Another thing about the Good Shepherd is that he knows us more intimately than we know him. He knows us person by person, name by name, and soul by soul. If the Lord is your Shepherd, then he knows where you are, what you’ve done, and how you feel. He knows what you are going through. He knows what you need.
III. The providence of shepherd
1. Needs are met (v.1)
The term, “I shall not want”, simply means that the Psalmist has need of nothing. To lack or to be without something that is needed is not the state of David. We often salivate over material things in this world, and we say that we ‘need’ them. We may even get them on our own only to find out that we are not the better but rather the worse for having them. The hardest thing for us to do is reconciling our sense of need to God’s determination of our needs. We work more hours, borrow more money, and are delinquent on more bills in order to get what we ‘need’. Relationships are strained, children are left to their own devices, and marriages fail because we are trying to get and give what we feel is ‘needed’. What do we really need? Do we need the latest style and color of shoes? Do we need to have bigger houses, the best car on the block, or new furniture in the dining room?
David knows that he has everything he needs. This is commentary on the job that God is doing. David is saying in essence, “My shepherd is doing a perfect job providing my needs.” This is not to say that having nice and new things is sin, but what is our perspective? Will we charge God foolishly if we don’t have everything that we think is needed? Will we envy others who have what we don’t have? Will we cut the service to God short; because we are chasing things? Can we be content to have food and clothing? Better yet: could we be content with food and clothing even if we don’t get to choose the kind and style?
Sometimes our perspective is so out of whack that the Lord has to get us in line.
2. Relaxation, nourishment, and refreshment (v. 2)
We are like the little sheep that gets out of line and strays away. The shepherd has to grab them to get them on track. There was not much water or grazing land in the deserts of Palestine. The shepherds of the sheep had to forcibly ‘make’ the sheep stop and get water and food when time permitted. Another convenient time to stop for water may not be for a long time, so sheep were ‘made’ to stop and get some nourishment and refreshment.
Have you ever stopped at a convenience store while driving a long distance? Most likely if you have small children with you, then you ‘make’ them go to the restroom. This is the picture here. God makes David to lie down in green pastures. God leads him to still waters. Green pastures speak of nourishment, and still waters speak of refreshment. Just like the child is made to do certain things while the car is stopped, God makes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us by the still waters.
The Child might not make it to the next off ramp, so he is made to stop. We sometimes in our quest for bigger, better; faster, taller, shinier, and slicker forget about what is important. God has to make some of us lie down as it were. We will not make it if we are not made to stop and get some refreshment. Some time God puts things in our lives to make us see what is really important. We worry about unimportant things. We need to relax in the green pastures of God Almighty.
We also at times need to know that we have love and forgiveness from God.
3. Restoration and Righteousness (v. 3)
Many of us are carrying around guilty feeling for past failures. We are not carrying around guilt, because Jesus has removed all guilt from his sheep. The guilt of His sheep was nailed to that blood stained cross on hill of Calvary. If the Lord is you shepherd, then you have be declared righteous; but what of those guilty feelings?
Mentally we can accept the fact that God will not punish us, but deep within our heart we can’t shake the feelings of guilt for past failures. Some times guilty feelings are justified. When we either do or say that which is wrong or fail to do or say what’s right, then our guilty feeling are justified. We recognize that we are or were in the wrong. The problem to deal with then is what should be done with the feelings of guilt? If we have wronged someone we should ask for forgiveness. If we have caused financial loss then we should try making reparations. Unfortunately many times we fail to handle our guilty feelings in this manner.
Often we shift blame or responsibility to someone or something else. Many times we beat ourselves up and will not allow forgiveness or restoration. We run away from God like the prodigal son. The Good Shepherd has his eye on us the whole time. Before we get to far away he hooks us in the curve of his staff in order to bring us back. Sometimes we are able to get far away from the Shepherd, and then He leaves the 99 for the purpose of finding us and bringing us back home.
He may bring us back home the way He drove the prodigal son home. He may allow us run until all is spent, and then allow famine in our life. When we hit rock bottom we begin to say, “In my Fathers house I shall not want. In my Fathers house there are green pastures and still waters. I think I will arise and go home.”
Some people may hold grudges against you, but God is looking for restoration. We have restoration the Lord. We must be brought to the point where we see right and wrong the way God sees it, but when we are on the same page as God then there is restoration. We are like the dirty smelly son who is forced back home. The father says, “Get some shoes, get a ring, and get a robe. My son has come back home.” We run from God; He does not run from us. In God there is restoration.
The word for restoration literally means ‘to return, or turn back’. We are returned to the fold. When we are in the fold we are lead in the paths of righteousness. As the Lord’s sheep we should be obedient and humble. The Lord will lead, and we should follow. If we are truthful to ourselves, then we must admit most of the times we know when we are right or wrong. Allow God to lead you in the right way.
When you call yourself a child of God and live contrary it is Jesus who get’s discredited. This is why he leads us in the right way. It is for His name’s sake. Come home and live right.
In the Father’s house there is also protection.
4. Protection (v. 4)
Here David must be looking at the picture of the dumb little sheep walking through an area where there may be wild animals that would devour the sheep in an instance. The sheep are not scared of the dangers that may or may not be lurking all around them. David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
The sheep is confident in his shepherd. The sheep is not concerned about the situation, but rather is focused on the shepherd. As long as the shepherd is with the sheep the sheep are at ease. We can learn the same lesson from the sheep that David did. Even though the situation is dire and dangerous, I will not be afraid; because God is with me. The mere presence of God calms my fears. Wow! If we could be brought to a place we feel at ease even in the mist of the most dangerous situation because of the simple existence of God.
The rod and staff were used by a shepherd to protect the sheep in two ways. The rod was an offensive tool. The rod could be thrown to ward off dangerous animals. The staff was used to keep the sheep away from danger. A gentle nudge with the long staff or a soft tug with the hooked end kept the sheep out of the way of danger. The rod and staff were the source of David comfort. We can rest assured that God will lead us around danger, and fights any thing that may harm us. We need not fear things in this world, because God is more than able to protect us.
IV. Same qualities seen with God as host (V. 5)
1. Protection: safety of a guest was guaranteed by the host in his house, even in the presence of enemies.
2. Refreshment: the host would provide oil for a soothing effect.
3. Needs are met: The overflowing cup symbolizes abundance
Conclusion: V. 6
The Psalm writer now looks far into the future. Not as one who depends on the daily horoscopes or palm readers does he look. David does not concern him self with the details of the rest of his life. Not with the eye of sight, but with the eye of faith he does look. He doesn’t need to know the fine details to make this assertion; because he needs no more than look to what has been the most stable truth in his life: God is faithful!
He is not dependant on circumstances. He is not looking to the situation. On the contrary he’s saying whether I’m up or down; I’m sick or healthy; rich or poor; married or divorce; loved or hated; good or bad; young or old. No matter if it’s day or nigh; summer or winter; time to leave or time to come back; time to make the doe nuts or even if I already made the doe nuts.
He is certain beyond any shadow of any doubt that goodness and mercy shall follow him all the days of his life. How certain are you? Can you look at you situation, no matter how dark, and say I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever? What will you let separate you from a God that is this good?
I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate me from the love of God.
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.