God is Shepherd

Step 1: The Preachers Text

Introduction: Hi there, thanks for viewing our service this weekend. We’re going to read one of my favourite passages from the bible today in Psalm 23. When I think of Psalm 23 I think of a place like this. It’s beautiful here. If you have a bible would you turn with me to Psalm 23. Let me pray as we begin today. Father in heaven, we thank you for who you are. We thank you for your Word. Lord, we pray that you would speak to us by it.Lord, that you would you open our hearts to understand what it is you’re saying to us today. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 23, NIV

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This is the Word of God, it’s absolutely true and it has been given to us in love.

If you have your bible open to Psalm 23, just leave it open as I’ll be referring to it now and again.

Step 2: What Must We Do?

Christians believe it was David the shepherd-boy turned hero-king, at about 1000 BC, who originally wrote this poem as well as 73 others. But Psalm 23 is by far-and-away the most loved of them all. The vivid imagery of this poem has shaped and influenced art for thousands of years. But why? What is it about Psalm 23? What inspired David to write down these compelling images of his god? A god who shepherds and a god who hosts.

I believe what David gave his readers was an inspired picture of how God acts towards people. And how God shows His love for His people. There are two roles I want you to see here. David shows us that God acts like a Shepherd and like a Host. Right-away we see “The Lord is my Shepherd” but what I think we sometimes gloss over is in vv.5 where we see God, “…prepare a table before….”

Now, God often assumes the role of shepherd, as a special sign of His love for us. But for God (The Creator) to express His nature in this way is humble and undemanding and should leave a deep impression upon you and me. By using the image of a Shepherd David shows God’s willingness to stoop down and invite us to follow Him so, that we may rest safely under his care.

It’s no surprise that David the shepherd-boy turned hero-king relates to God as The Shepherd of his own life and as the Great Shepherd of Israel. Because you see, David knew what it meant to care for sheep, what it meant to fight off the would-be thieves and predators, what it meant to guide the humble animals to pasture and what it meant to go after the flock to go after the lost one! And so, and so, David recognized God’s shepherd-love for him on His own life-path. Theologian, Bruce Waltke, has said, that Psalm 23 is a poem of trust, celebrating God’s goodness and loving kindness.

Big Idea: Psalm 23, at its heart, isn’t about the journey the sheep goes on but about the love of the shepherd.

So, when you and I read this psalm and bring it to memory we should see it glorifying God’s competence and not the sheep’s efforts. Yes, we should see ourselves in it! But, we ought to see as the rescued-ones, the ones who are cared for, the sheep who experienced the Hesed-love of The Shepherd. “Did he just say Hesed-love”? Yes, yes I did.

This word Hesed: translated as love, mercy, loving-kindness in many of our translations of vv.6 is very important and I wanted to draw your attention to it. Actually, the writers of Scripture use it well over 200 times from Genesis to Zechariah. And we see it translated in the NIV as love. You see, Hesed essentially means “help to the needy”. There isn’t an English word that fully reflects the meaning but Hesed talks about the kind of love given when a partner in need depends on another for rescue, and the rescuer does so freely out of his kindness, mercy, love, and loyalty. And this is what David is trying to show the reader, the sheep who experienced the Hesed-love of the Shepherd. By showing us this he praises what GOD has done.

Big Idea: And so, Psalm 23 is not about the effort of the sheep but about the competence of The Shepherd.

The competent shepherd is worthy of trust and he’s worthy of following even into the darkest valleys. Verset 4 makes it clear where the believer finds confidence in the midst of his trouble, namely in the intimate presence of God. He (the believer) doesn’t have to fear the darkest valley, the isolation of loneliness, and he can even stare death in the face and have no fear.

But why? Is it because he’s strong? Is it because of his sheepish-bravery or his effort? Why is the psalmist able to walk in the darkest valley and fear no evil? Is it because of any measure of competence he has? No, no it isn’t. It is because of the active, working and intimate presence of God the Shepherd: The Voice the sheep follow. It’s because God’s presence is there with him. It’s because “You are with me….”, “You are with me….”

When David speaks of the rod and staff he’s reaffirming God’s comfort in the midst of his trouble. And we can hear Jesus’ words come to memory, “In this world you will have trouble.” He never promised that you and I would live a life with minimal trouble. He is not a God who promises continued health, or financial wealth. In point of fact, God has shown us that we will have trouble but that He is with us in it.

Illustration: I was reminded of this as I spoke with a friend last week. Now, his wife is battling cancer and as I was asking about their life and faith he said this to me: “You know John, God never promised us a life without adversity, He promised He would be with us in it.”

What great hope this is. It’s not a hope that is defeated by cancer. It’s not a hope that’s defeated by financial ruin or kids that run away from everything you’ve ever taught them—no, not this hope. It’s not defeated by adversity. Instead, hope is all the more pronounced because of our adversity. This hope gives you the kind joy that even death can’t contain. To the one who trusts: He is with you and He will comfort you.

Preaching to the Heart :

“Now some of you are likely thinking, `Yea, that's great for you, but you have faith and that’s what faith does for people like you. I wish I could believe in God and I’ve tried, but I just can't develop something like the faith you have.’ But friend, your real problem is not that you can't believe in God, but that you are refusing to doubt yourself. You are committed to the "belief" of your own competence to run your life. And you believe in it against all the evidence! Come-on! Admit what you know deep down, that you are not wise and able enough to run your own life. Doubt yourself, and then you will begin to move toward faith in God.”

Big Idea: Psalm 23 is not about the ability or the efforts of the sheep but about the competence and the care of the Shepherd.

The same shepherd that walked and guided David, all his life, is the same Shepherd that leads those who love Him.

Can I make an observation about the Valley of the Shadow of Death?

Have you ever noticed that vv.4 comes after vv.3? That “He leads me on right paths…” precedes “the dark valley”? This is what I will say, "The dark valley”, with all its griefs, is as truly one of His right paths as the green pastures. When we know this and when we trust The Good Shepherd, it takes much of the sting out of any suffering we face. And His presence with us overcomes the worst thing that remains: the fear. (pause)

Let’s continue to trace the poets hand as image of The Great Shepherd now becomes a Host. In vv.5 the poet writes “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Now just wait, let me say that again. You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies! The same God, who is Shepherd, who is present with you in the midst of any adversity is also the unflinching Host who sets a fine banquet table before you in the presence of your enemies. It’s important that we see God revealing Himself as serving His people. He leads this way, as should we. And here, is the timeless picture of Him hosting an extravagant dining experience in the presence of your enemies–wow!

My imagination takes me to the pitched battle-lines of Braveheart and there, in the center of it all, a fine laced-table, overflowing with charcuterie and fine wine. A grazing-table so inviting and enticing; with enough seating for all. Now, whether this is a picture of a feasting table set on a battle-field like this or not, the point of this is: while evil makes ready for war, God is not concerned or overcome by worry. Quite the opposite is true. He invites you and me into His strength and rest. Where we fear no evil and enjoy His presence. Where our cup is overflowing with His Hesed-love. Psalm 23 is an assurance of faith and a reminder to trust. An Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8 or Second Corinthians 12. Even in the worst situation, The Shepherd is leading me and His grace is sufficient for me. Walter Brueggemann once said that Psalm 23 shows us the “sacred canopy” under which the community of faith can live out its life with freedom from anxiety.… That there is a givenness to be relied on, guaranteed by none other than God.

Step 4: Why Can’t We Do It?

As you and I experience the Hesed-love of God our affections turn toward Him. And we begin… longing to be with Him (always). Do you see? Its like, it’s like, as we experience God’s healing-care, as in our relationships, relationships where we thought no resolve was ever possible. Then somehow, by His peace and forgiveness, God turned hearts of stone to flesh, and we become enabled to embrace those we tried to forget. It’s as we experience the ministry of reconciliation, and as we come to know His grace for us and as we follow His lead, our own hearts do this thing, like they’ve suddenly become magnetized and are ever turning toward true north. It’s as God’s hesed-love for us changes us, slowly and secretly we begin to want to reprioritize our lives around what He cares about. And it’s almost as if this heart that was once engineered to attain security and so tried to possess every conduit of comfort the world could ever offer. The “forever-home”, “freedom-45” “investment-scoop” “right neighbourhood”, this heart, that tried to gain the security in life by possessing it has been disoriented. Let me give you an example of how the disoriented heart might hear Psalm 23.

We hear scripture say, “I lack nothing”: but I do lack, and I have a list of lack and budget of how I’m going to get it all.We hear the preacher say, “He Leads me” but I can’t hear him leading me. Do you think a loving God take would take me to this place?The poem says “He restores my soul” but I’m not restored. I’m empty and I need help. I can’t be alone in the silence. Give me beer, get me buzzed, Let me listen to audio-book, anything to drown out how silent-howl of the soul. David wrote, “You are with me and You comfort me” but I can’t see you and I can’t feel you.You say “my cup overflows” but it seems like I never have enough.Again it says, “Goodness and love will follow me” but instead I’m surrounded by chaos and anxiety.Scripture proclaims that “I will dwell with you forever” but the last time I checked nothing lasts forever, at least not in my world.

Without the knowledge of God’s grace and without an experience of His love this is what happens to our hearts–a great disorientation.

Preaching to the Heart: Tim Keller often say’s “Religion is the default mode of the human heart. Christians who know the gospel only in principle continually revert to religion—they believe the gospel at one level but at deeper levels we continue to operate as if we are saved by our works, they continue to base their standing with God and their view of themselves on their spiritual and moral performance. This leads all sorts of anxiety, pride, inferiority, anger, and spiritual deadness.”

As if psalm 23 was about the effort of the sheep, as if a life without lack came by attaining all I ever wanted. Psalm 23 is about the competence and the care of the Shepherd. If your heart is disoriented, by that I mean, if you can feel the affections of your soul clinging to any other saviour, other than Jesus… then take a moment. (pause) And ask yourself, is this, all of this, getting me what I wanted? (pause) Is running from God, leading me to the the true rest I want?

Preaching to the Heart:

"Maybe you’re a Christian and your sitting there listening to me thinking, “now.. I have a friend that really oughta hear this”. The non-religious are running from God it’s true. But the religious and outwardly-moral are running from God as much as are the non-religious. Here’s how: if you think you can be blessed by God by being good is to be your own Saviour and leads you to think God owes you (so you are in control of him.) Thus religion and non-religion are just two different ways of accomplishing the same thing— being your own Saviour and Lord.”

Step 3: But God Made A Way

Psalm 23 has rightly found its place in the hearts of Christian readers and we cannot read the psalm that explores God as shepherd of his people without thinking about Jesus Christ. After all, in John 10, Jesus announced to his disciples, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep’ And Jesus did so! On the cross, to people from every culture, colour and creed in order to save them from guilt, sin and even death. Jesus is the ultimate comfort in life & in death, and just like a shepherd, Jesus comforts His people. But He does it by the experience of His Hesed-love, the knowledge of His grace for them, and the refreshing of His Spirit.

The righteous path that Jesus will shepherd you on is filled with streams through rolling green hills of security and plenty and that very same path will lead into and through the darkest valley. Even though the setting will change Jesus will be constant. Jesus is the good shepherd who is always with me and who is always with you. When you are alone, even when you come to face-to-face with your greatest demons there is one who walks beside you. And He’s competent and He cares.

Illustration: You know there’s a moment in my favourite Narnia book. The horse and his boy. Where Shasta who has narrowly escaped with his life, has now made sure all his friends were cared for and is left alone, he’s starving, he’s exhausted, he’s totally worn-out and he begins to despair. It’s dark (the end of the night) and he’s on a mountain-pass, and he’s joined by an ominous travelling companion. He tells the stranger how unfortunate he’s been hoping for pity of some kind. and the stranger responded,

“"I do not call you unfortunate," said the Large Voice. "Don't you think it was bad luck to meet so many lions?" said Shasta. "There was only one lion," said the Voice. "What on earth do you mean? I've just told you there were at least two the first night.” “There was only one: but he was swift of foot.” "How do you know?” "I was the lion." And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the Voice continued. "I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.”

Aslan was the lion walking and guiding Shasta his whole life. It’s a picture of Christ!

Think of this more, Jesus is not only leading you now but he will lead you to the end, where, by his strength, provision, and guidance you will, one-day, turn the key, and open a door, to a table prepared with lavish generosity…. Because everything was always yours in Christ. But for now, we have to trust His leading. Even though we can’t see what’s around the corner. We have to trust His leading. This is how we cultivate this kind of trust by praying and agreeing with psalmist:

I am rich even though I have no money! I am strong even though I fight this disease, I am joyful even though I am surrounded by suffering. I have life even though I will face death

For those who live by faith can say even though my situation may not be improved my fear is removed because He is with me.

His rod and His staff comfort me. Do you see? The Christian life is not one where we obey God’s so that He will provide for us. Or, where pray so He will give us health. The christian life is not a life that reaches out to get God because we can’t. The gospel is the message of truth-love: that Jesus reigns, that he’s in control, that he’s leads you as you trust in Him.

Closing Prayer: Would you pray with me?

Lord, if I fed on your love, grace, and truth, I would not be in any want. In this life I know I will never attain that, But I also know you are always with me, and someday you will lead me to my true country, the home I’ve been looking for all my life. Help me rest in that. Amen.