Shepherd, Do Yuh Ting

Introduction

Theme for this month is “A New Look at an Old Friend”. A reminder that in spite of all that surrounds us God is still the friend I can trust in.

God is still God and can still perform. He is capable, but we need to “allow Him to do what He does best”. I’ve trusted Him all along, let me trust Him a bit further. Trust him because:

Who God is

What God can do

The encouragement, “Let the shepherd do His thing”. When we see all that God is primed and ready to do all we can say is “shepherd do your thing”.

What I am doing is, acknowledging His awesome ability and submitting to Him in constant obedience.

“my shepherd”

This phrase ought not to be overlooked.

“my” is a possessive pronoun meaning He envisions a close connection to the shepherd. Sheep shared a special connection to the shepherd because they were heavily reliant the Him. Appl. David’s relationship wasn’t dependent on people or circumstances. It was all about his experience in walking with God.

“shepherd” David knew something about being a shepherd. Something about God reminded David about a shepherd. The psalmist introduces God as his shepherd in Psalms 23. This psalm teaches about trusting God to provide, protect, and preserve.

No one can best the Lord Ps 30:1; 31:8; 37:20

No one can provide like Him Ps 37:25;

No one can be present like Him Ps 139: 7-10

“I shall not want”

I have all that i need, I will not lack. This exact phrase is used no where else in the bible. A similar phrase is used in Neh 9:21.

Appl. With shepherd you have all that you need. This is why the sheep needs to keep their eye on the shepherd. When we begin to wander we lose sight of what God is giving us.

Doesn’t matter what you think you are missing, “let the shepherd do his thing”.

This is what that provision looks like

“He makes me lie down in green pastures”

The verb “makes” is int he imperfect tense meaning the action continues, in other words God is not done yet. God has no intention to remove you from the place of abundant nourishment.

“green pastures” suggests 1. Nourishment 2. Abundance God gives what I need and He gives in abundance. [Comfort, peace, mercy, forgiveness]

Where can we expect nourishment? The Word of God

Ps1:1-3

I Peter 2:1

This is what it was for David, he continually inquired of the Lord. In the middle eastern climate, a green pasture is the best a shepherd can offer. The sheep doesn’t know it until they settle down and taste it.

“He leads me beside still waters”

Lit. A place of refreshing. The shepherds knows best

Lead- lead with intent

Still waters as opposed to violent waters: trust God to not lead you to a place that will destroy you. “Allow Him to do His thing”

“He restores my soul”

Restore- return back, to cause a change in direction. Lit- put my soul where it needs to be.

Temptation, weariness, pain and sin puts you off but God can put you back. [Ps 80:19, 85:4] The Word can Restore. [Ps 19:7]

Trust God! Obey God! Shepherd, Do your Thing.