Psalm 23 - Lesson 3 - vs 4-6

Restoration-Presence-Protection-Provision-Pursuit

Some folks get away from the Lord when restraints are removed or when they get out from under the protection of authority. They feel they can do anything they wish, and they do.  What they do gets them into trouble sometimes. Young people that leave home, especially after they graduate from school, can be overwhelmed by their new found freedoms.  Some folks get involved in drug abuse, alcohol, and sexual immorality. Their lack of restraint causes them to miss God's best in their lives.  The Prodigal Son is a classic example of someone who was distracted and destroyed by his freedom of restraint. Freedom that leads to the destruction of our lives, harmful addictions, and sinful bondage is not freedom at all. The Prodigal Son demonstrated this truth when he wasted and lost everything.  If he were here, he would testify that the journey on the Hog-pen Trail is not as glamorous as we think it is. The Lord is our physician, promoter, the One who patches up our soul. He restores our soul. What does the Bible say about God's restoration of our lives?

B. A glimps into what Bible Teaches About God's Restoration

1. God can restore Salvation's Joy.

Psalm 51:11-12

If you have strayed away from the Lord and failed, the Lord can restore the joy of your salvation through His mercy and forgiveness. 2. God can Restore our Strength of Health.

Jeremiah 30:17

3. God can Restore us from Sin's destruction.

Lamentations 5:21

V. (5) THE PILOTAGE ON THE RIGHT PATH—23:3b

David says, "The Lord restores me and then He leads me." We too, after we are saved, are to let the Lord lead our lives. Butchers drive the sheep; shepherds lead their sheep. Our Lord does this with us. He gently leads us through life. God's leadership and guidance deal with what we are, not where we are. If we are what God wants us to be, He will have no trouble placing us where He wants us to be. Are you what the Lord wants you to be? Where does the Lord lead us? David tells us He leads us in the paths of righteousness. There is such thing as the right path and a wrong one.

* Paths are usually rugged and in the wilderness.

You cannot see far ahead and they can contain snares, traps, stumbling stones and obstacles. We face these same things as we live day by day. We are to be careful how we "walk" each day. God gives us just enough light to see a few steps ahead of us. Life may be difficult or rough at times, but the Lord is still with us leading the way.

Psalm 119:105

Ephesians 5:15

2 Timothy 2:26

* Paths provide direction. They indicate forward movement, not walking backward, and not stopping.

The smart shepherd keeps his sheep on the move. If sheep graze in a pasture too long, it can ruin the land and the sheep can contract diseases and parasites from the filth that develops from having sheep on the land too long. Sheep are pilgrim animals. We are pilgrims in this world and are just passing through. We are not to set up camp on the path. We are not to sink our roots into this world. It is not our final home. We are to be going forward for Christ and growing spiritually. Peter offered a challenge to grow and a caution about snares on our path in the second chapter of his first epistle.

1 Peter 2:2

1 Peter 2:11

* Why does the Lord lead us on the right path?

Psalm 23:3

David says, "for His name's sake." The word "name" refers to the shepherd's reputation or character. Shepherds, who sometimes hired out their services, were undoubtedly concerned about their vocational reputation. To maintain their reputation as competent shepherds, they had to know the "lay of the land" and make sure they led the sheep down the right paths to the proper destination. If a shepherd lost a flock, he would be disgraced. The underlying reality is a profound theological truth: God must look out for the best interests of the ones He has promised to protect, because if He fails to do so, His faithfulness could legitimately be called into question and His reputation damaged. God is jealous of His glory. He provides for us for His name's sake or reputation. God has a reputation for faithfully dealing with us.

C. For His name's sake, the Lord does several things.

1. He leads us on the right path as we have seen here.

2. He saves us for His name's sake.

Psalm 106:8

3. He forgives us of our sins for His name's sake.

1 John 2:12

4. For His name's sake, God cares for us.

Here is another example of God's care and guidance. In the spring of 1971, in Vero Beach, Florida, Franklin Graham and his flight instructor were flying back to Longview, Texas. While en route, they learned of thunderstorm activity and decided to change their route home which would take them north to Jackson and then west to Longview. As they neared Jackson, their generator failed leaving them without lights, navigation, or a radio. They decided to descend out of the clouds and land at Jackson. The tower was not radar-equipped. Without a radio, they could not contact the airport tower, but as they approached, the runway lights went on to full brilliance, the strobes flashed, and a green light signaled them to land. How did the tower know they were coming in to land? It was not until four years later they found out what happened. A control tower operator had taken two guests to see how the system functioned at the airport. He took a tri-colored flash gun, turned on the red and white lights inside the tower, but for some reason held the gun outside the window when he demonstrated the green light of the flash gun. This would give clearance to any pilot attempting to land. He then demonstrated the runway lights until they reached the state of high-intensity. This would pierce through the fog and clouds for emergency landings. When a co-worker then mentioned that an unlighted plane was coming in, the operator said, "There isn't a plane in the air within 50 miles of us!" Franklin and his instructor then landed the plane. The operator thought he was just giving a demonstration of how the airport functioned, but God in His mercy and power had other plans to take care of Franklin and his flight instructor, literally giving them the guidance they needed to land the plane. IN

PSALM 23

, SO FAR: We have examined the Person of the Shepherd (Vs. 1), the Pleasure of the Sheep (Vs. 1), the Peace from the Shepherd (Vs. 2), the Patching of Our Soul (Vs. 3), the Pilotage on the Right Path (Vs. 3), and now we will study the Presence and Protection of the Shepherd (Vs. 4).

VI. (6) THE PRESENCE & PROTECTION OF THE SHEPHERD—23:4 To get to the rich pastures of the mountains, the sheep had to go through the valleys. The valleys were the best routes to the top because the valleys had the gentlest grades and slopes and were well watered. Rich pastures were found here too. In the cool mountains of the summer time, the shepherd and the sheep are very close. The shepherd is constantly on the lookout for his sheep and for predators that would destroy them.  Many predators would hide in deep ravines and the shadows of the steep cliffs that hovered over narrow valley floors. They would hide and wait to ambush their prey.  You could actually call this type of area, the valley of the shadow of death because it was a difficult, dangerous, deadly area. Death lurked in these areas A.  The valleys of the shadow of death in life David went through many valleys in his life. Our valleys are a part of our lives whether we like it or not. They are the difficult times of our lives which may include sickness, financial loss,  disgrace, betrayal, aging, bereavement,  disappointment, and death. The phrase "shadow of death" in the Hebrew includes our dark and bitter experiences, which may involve death. It is in our valleys that we often spiritually mature  and get close to the Lord.  Valleys are usually not pleasant and the trials they bring tend to linger for a while. We walk through them instead of run through them,  but praise the Lord we go through them with His help and presence. This is why David did not fear his valleys because the Lord was with him.  God was with others who went through the valley of the shadow of death. The Lord never left Elijah's side when he confronted the prophets of Baal and when he was pursued by Jezebel and Ahab.  God was with a disobedient Jonah when he was inside the belly of the whale and then entered Ninevah by himself to preach against their sins. He never left the side of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abendigo when they were thrown into the fiery furnace. He walked with them through the fire.  God was present with Daniel when he was entertained by lions in their den. Paul was stoned and left for dead,  but the Lord was with him and did not bring him home to glory until the Lord was ready for him to come home. God gave these people courage and peace in the dangerous and desperate hours of their lives. Because the Lord is with us, we can "walk" through our valleys with confidence. The word "walk" in the Hebrew indicates a firm step, not a timid, fearful one.  We can go through our valleys with confidence, assurance, peace, and decisiveness because God is always with us 1.The Lord is with us when we are WEAK. 2 Corinthians 13:4 2. The Lord is with us when we are WEEPING. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 3. The Lord is with us when we are WEARY. Matthew 11:28 4. The Lord is with us when we are forsaken by the WORLD John 16:33 Shadows cannot harm us, though they can scare us sometimes. Whether it is the shadow of a lion, tiger, bear, etc., none of their shadows can hurt us. They are shadows. The shadow of death cannot separate the Christian from everlasting life or from the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:37-39 * As frightening and foreboding as death may seem, it can neither hurt nor destroy the child of God. In his book Facing Death,  Billy Barnhouse, relates an experience of Donald Grey Barnhouse, one of America's leading Bible teachers in the first half of the 20th century. Cancer took his first wife, leaving him with three children all under 12. On the day of the funeral, Barnhouse and his family were driving to the service when a large truck passed them, casting a noticeable shadow across their car.  Turning to his oldest daughter, who was staring sadly out the window, Barnhouse asked, "Tell me, sweetheart, would you rather be run over by that truck or its shadow?"  Looking curiously at her father, she replied, "By the shadow, I guess. It can't hurt you."  Speaking to all his children, he said,  "Your mother has not been overridden by death,  but by the shadow of death. That is nothing to fear." As David speaks of death, notice that there is a change in the chapter.  He no longer speaks about the shepherd,  he speaks to the shepherd. Death or the fear of death can cause a person to get personal with God. David says, "thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." The shepherd defends his sheep with his rod and staff.  The rod was a weapon of power, authority, and defense. It was about two feet in length with a sharp point on one end and a fork on the other for securing snakes.  Some rods had a ball or knot at one end with stones or metal pounded into it. It was used in discipline or chastening, by being thrown at wayward sheep or at lambs to close to poisonous weeds.  The shepherd would also use his sling to hurl rocks near wayward sheep to bring them back. The rod was also used to comfort the lambs as the shepherd examined the sheep and counted them.  He would part the wool with the rod, looking for parasites or wounds. The rod was also dipped in dye and the shepherd marked every tenth lamb to give his tithe to the Lord. * The staff was the tool of concern and comfort. The shepherd would lean upon it for support and strength.  He used it to draw the sheep together in intimate fellowship.  The lambs were lifted to their mothers with the staff. He would use it to guide the sheep by tapping them if they were straying  and it: would comfort them by getting them out of thorns and dangerous situations. *  The Word of God is the rod of God for us. It has power, authority, and is used for our defense.  It is the sword of the Spirit. It comforts and chastens us. The Word of God searches us too,  like the rod of the shepherd. It helps us to examine ourselves. The Holy Spirit is like the staff used by our shepherd. He supports and strengthens us, drawing us together as the staff draws the sheep together.  He guides, comforts us and gets us untangled.  Thank God for the rod and staff and for God's protection. Jesus is our protector who is willing to die for us. John 10:11 The Lord comforts us because He is with us and watches over us.  According to the Bible how does God comfort us and what does He use to bring comfort? B. What Does the Bible Say About the Topic of COMFORT? 1. The Promise of Comfort Isaiah 66:13 John 14:18 John 16:33 2. The Plentifulness of Christ's Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:5 3.The Provision of Comfort in various Predicaments Matthew 5:4 2 Corinthians 7:5-6  4. The Purpose of Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:4 5. The Son of God comforts us. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Psalm 86:17 6.The Sovereign Father comforts us. Isaiah 51:12 7.The Spirit of God comforts us John 14:16 Acts 9:31 8.Our Siblings can comfort us. Proverbs 29:17 9. Sureness or Faith in the Lord can give us comfort. Matthew 9:22 10.The Sympathy and Sweet Kindness of God gives us comfort. Psalm 119:76 11.The Saints of God can comfort us. 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 1 Thessalonians 5:11 1 Thessalonians 4:18 12.The Scriptures can comfort us. Romans 15:4 Psalm 119:50-52 1 Thessalonians 4:18 VII. (7) THE PROVISION OF THE SHEPHERD—23:5 A. God's provision is Anywhere—"in the presence of mine enemies." The shepherd inspects new grazing areas or "tables of land" for dangers to the flock.  This is one way of looking at this verse. He scouts the land for poisonous plants, predators, problem areas, and snakes. The pasture land has been literally prepared in the presence of the sheep's enemies. The shepherd will also prepare land that he owns for grazing by removing rocks and stumps, preparing pools of water,  and seeding the land with grass. He prepares a table for his lambs. 1.He can supply our needs no matter where we are. God took care of baby Moses in the presence of his enemies. He was reared in the palace of the man who tried to have him killed. God had the last laugh. God directs and orders our steps and we need to trust Him with our lives. Psalm 37:23 David said, "Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies." There is another insight we want to address here. The shepherd prepared the pasture for the sheep in order that they might be strengthened. The prepared table or pasture was an opportunity for blessing. Folks, God does the same thing for us. 2.He prepares for us opportunities for blessing and strength. The opportunity could be a trial, or it could be an opportunity to minister,  serve, or encourage someone else. When we take advantage of the opportunities God has prepared and placed before us,  it will strengthen us, bless us, and help us mature in Christ. B. God's Provision is Amorous—"thou anointest my head with oil." Sheep would be pestered by flies laying eggs in their nose and worms would work their way up into their heads.  For relief, sheep would beat their heads against the trees, rocks, or posts.  They would eventually go blind and even die.  Sheep run from flies and will eventually drop from exhaustion. The antidote for this problem was linseed oil mixed with sulphur and tar.  The shepherd would apply this to the head, nose, tail area and even the feet because the flies could lay eggs in the hoofs. The oil acted as a repellant to pests. It also soothed any scratches or wounds the sheep may have incurred in the pasture.  The shepherd anointed the sheep because of his care and love for his lambs.  God's care for us is loving and gentle too. Lamentations 3:22 In the Bible, anointing with oil was done to soothe a person who was injured or hurt.  It was an act of medication.  The priests were anointed with oil as a symbol of consecration to service.  Kings were also anointed as a symbol of coronation. Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.  Every Christian has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within. The Holy Spirit soothes our hurts and pains and gives us comfort. 1. The Lord is the Great Physician in our own lives. It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that calms the irritations of our life. Hosea 6:1 The Holy Spirit empowers us to consecrate ourselves to the Lord and serve Him. Believers are also children of God.  We are children of the King of kings. We are a royal priesthood that has been anointed with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives for the purpose of glorifying God. 1 Peter 2:9 C. God's Provision is Abundant—"my cup runneth over." Sheep do not like to get wet.  It may take as long as two hours to water fifty sheep. Shepherds would sometimes draw water from deep wells and pour the water into stone cups beside the well. When the shepherd would fill these cups to the brim, it enabled the sheep to drink with ease and it was a mark of his love and kindness for his sheep.  Shepherds would also put the nose of sheep in a cup to help them get rid of fever. The cup would run over when the nose of the lamb was put into the cup of water or medicine. In the Middle East, when someone had great love and respect for a guest they were entertaining, they would always make sure their cup was filled to the brim. God dearly loves and cares about us too.  His provisions for us are abundant and satisfying. The Bible reveals a number of things that are abundant from God. 1. His Pardon is Abundant. Isaiah 55:7 1 Peter 1:3 Titus 3:5-6 2. His Peace is Abundant. Jeremiah 33:6 3. God's Power and Performance are Abundant. God gives us the power and ability to live a godly life. He fills us with the fruits of righteousness. Ephesians 3:20 4. God's Precious Grace is Abundant. 1 Timothy 1:14 Romans 5:17 Romans 5:20 VIII. (8) THE PURSUIT OF OUR BLESSINGS—23:6 David says, "Surely or without a doubt" goodness and mercy will follow me. A. Goodness and mercy will surely follow us because God does not fail us. We may fail Him, but He never fails to bless us. He finishes what He starts in our lives. Goodness and mercy are the sheep dogs in our lives to keep us moving forward for Christ.  They "shall follow" us. The word "follow" is from the Hebrew word radaph {raw-daf'} which means "to pursue, persecute, to run after, to put to flight or chase."  This word is usually used in a hostile sense of an animal pursuing its prey, but here it is used in a benevolent way.  These graces seek us out when we walk with the Lord and make Him the shepherd of our lives. Goodness can also be rendered good things, prosperity, happiness, or bounty. Mercy can also be translated "loving kindness or faithfulness." 1.  God's goodness takes care of my steps and His mercy takes care of my stumbles. 2. His goodness meets our needs and His mercy forgives all our faults. 3. His goodness leads to repentance and His mercy leads to regeneration 4. Goodness caused the prodigal son to come back home and mercy ran to meet the son. 5.  Goodness is God's hand and mercy is God's heart. God has made it clear that His sheep will never be deserted. Hebrews 13:5 What a blessing to know that these things are following us. David says, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." According to the Bible, what are some other things that follow the righteous and what follows the wicked or rebellious? B. What Follows the Righteous? 1. The Presence of the Lord follows Us. Psalm 139:5 2. The Pointing of God's Spirit follows Us. God promised that He would guide us with His Spirit. Isaiah 30:21 John 16:13 3. As we have seen, the Paternal love and Care of God follows Us. Psalm 23:6 C. What Follows the Rebellious and the Wicked? 1. Evil Purposes and Plans will Follow the Wicked. Psalm 10:2 2. Peril or Curses will Follow the Wicked. Deuteronomy 28:45 3. Pain and Problems Follow the Wicked. Proverbs 13:21 Psalm 140:11 4. Panic and Paranoia Follow the Wicked Proverbs 28:1 Even though nothing is pursuing them, their fear pursues them. 5. Hostile Party's or Enemies Follow the Rebellious. Hosea 8:3 God uses our enemies to chasten us and bring us back to the Lord if we have rebelled against Him. When we get our life right with God,  then God works in the lives of our enemies. Proverbs 16:7 THE END OF LESSON