The LORD is My Shepherd

What does that mean?

Who’s has ever experienced an emotion before?

Joy, peace, happiness, excitement, wonder, thankfulness, hope

We can have sustained joy and hope

not a rollercoaster

Panic, anxiety, stress, depression, pain, fear, anger

We are told “fear not” and “do not be anxious”

other places we go for comfort offer little comfort

Instagram- seeing others on a beach

If you’ve ever felt a feeling- I’m talking to you

We are going to be honest with one another tonight

Truth about my week

We can live through God’s Word

However you feel or what is going on, you need to hear that we can pray through our emotions and feelings

We aren’t meant to bottle things inside of us. Like a closet that is ready to burst

We aren’t meant to express our thoughts and feelings and ride them like a rollercoaster

We are meant to talk with God about them above all else

Talk with others

God wants to know your innermost being

We know David is a man’s man

Yet he wrote this

This isn’t grandma’s precious poem like we generally envision

This has heart, backbone, grit

It has been read to dying soldiers and joyful congregations alike

Psalm 23 CSB

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, 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. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Isaiah 40:11

Isaiah 40:11 CSB

He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.

Look- you what to be protected by this Shepherd. You want to be gathered by Him.

John 10 - Jesus as the Good Shepherd

Shepherd is a lowly job where the shepherd who literally lay down his life for the sheep

He makes me lie down.

He settles us. He calms us. Phillip Keller- fear, friction, flies, famine

God provides

Do you feel the need for God to be your shepherd?

Dark valley all of a sudden comes up- we were just looking at green pastures and still waters

Through the valley… it isn’t your destination. Or stopping place

Will fear no evil because you are with me

Rod and staff

Many only think as these tools, these sticks, as something the shepherd kindly uses on the sheep

However, the shepherd also used it on predators, like wolves

The LORD as our host that prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies

plentiful food from a God who cares. There’s a personal connection with this God too

“You”

God wants to know- how are you doing? How are you doing?

“good”

Be honest. Be honest.

Also, it isn’t about what you’ve been doing. your action.

How are you processing things going on in your life?

Do you pray? Do you process things with others?

Do you look to God? In the midst of all emotions- do you run to him? Or do you run away?

Its easy to pretend

Don’t be a pretender. God knows- and He is wanting you to open up and be the Healer he is

“We”

although there will be hills and valleys, there will be a peace that surpasses understanding. There will be a hope that cannot be stolen. There will be a love that keeps you anchored.