Psalm 23:4-6

During World War II, following word that an only son had been killed in action, a priest was called to the home of grief-stricken parents. The father, pacing the floor, weeping, in anger demanded, “Where was God when my son was being killed?” Silence prevailed. Then the ministering priest replied, “I guess where He was when His Son was being killed.” The calm, profound answer impacted the father, for it brought God out of remoteness into the circle of real life.

We too may of asked the same question when death, heartache or trials hit. Where is God in the midst of it all?

I think thats a question that is asked by all generations. Its during these times that we really lament and pour our hearts out to God. We see in Psalm 23 how king david make a declaration of who God is in the midst of it all.

Psalm 23:4–6 (NASB95)

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This week I want to go over 5 things that we don’t lack when the Lord is our Shepherd!

The first is...

We Shall not lack direction

v4a.- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Some modern translations say it’s “a valley dark as death,” The word itself does not necessarily mean death; but by definition a dark ravine is a dangerous place

I remember a couple years ago I wanted to go visit someone from our church. I get the address and put it in my GPS then start driving. I get near their house. Atleast thats what the GPS says. Then I enter this area where there are no streetlights and start hearing sounds from the woods of animals that I don’t recognize. Then my phone dies so I lose my GPS and then I notice my gas tank is on empty. So I pull over to the side of the road. I gather myself and start to pray and think thru what to do. I decide to drive and look for a gas station. I find one that is open and charge my phone up enough so I can call them to explain my troubles.

It can be scary when you don’t know where you are going

There also was another time about 10 years ago when I was walking at dark. I was walking on the sidewalk. A place that was safe. Then a car comes on the sidewalk and hits me from behind sending me 300 feet. I remember laying in that street in shock thinking that this was it. I am going to die. But obviously I didnt because im still here.

The valley of the shadow of death conjures thoughts of a dangerous situation where a sheep's life is in jeopardy unless the shepherd is alert and attentive.

the reason the sheep is going through the valley is because the shepherd lead him there.

The connection between vs. 3 and 4 confirm this: The path through the valley is also one of the paths of righteousness in which God leads. "He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me . . . "

But why would a good shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep lead a lamb into a valley filled with danger and death threats? There's only one possible answer: "To get to some better place!"

Think about Jesus when he taught the disciples to pray the “Lords prayer”-lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil

In Matthew 4 it says “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil”

secondly...

We Shall not lack protection

v4b.-I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

It is important to note that “the valley of the shadow of death” is as much God’s right path for us as the “green pastures” which lie beside “quiet waters.” That is, the Christian life is not always tranquil nor, as we say, a mountain-top experience. God gives us valleys also. It is in the valleys with their trials and dangers that we develop character.

Sheep are one of the dumbest creatures. They will lead themselves to just walk over a cliff unless directed otherwise by the Shepherd and His staff.

Shepherds also don’t allow sheep to drink from running water because while sheep are bending down to drink they have the risk of falling in and getting hurt. Instead Shepherds would draw water from wells. This reminds me of the good Shepherd. Jesus, himself who tells a samaritan woman “whoever drinks of the water I give them, will never be thirsty again!” He provides for us everlasting life where we can be full and satisfied!

Yet the valley has its own unique problem. The problem is fear. What is the answer to it? Clearly, the answer is the shepherd’s close presence, for he is the only one who can protect the sheep and calm their anxieties.

We are never so conscious of the presence of God as when we pass through life’s valleys.

Thirdly...

We shall not lack provision

v5.-You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

verse 5 states that God prepares a table for David in the presence of his enemies. This is a reference to a meal or a feast. Now David is called by God and anointed by God so he is under God’s protection and care. So even in the prescence of his enemies he had nothing to be afraid of.

Now it was custom and an act of hospitality that when a guest would come that you would anoint their head with oil and they were also to fill the guests cup up to the very brim or top as a expression of their generosity.

Now Sheep are particularly prone to flies landing on their noses. These flies travel up the sheep’s nose and lay eggs which turn into worms that can burrow into the animal’s brain.

Then the sheep will bang their heads, trying to get rid of the irritation. They can die from this. So, each day the shepherd pours oil on the sheep’s nose, and the flies slide out instead of flying in.

I don’t know about you, but I certainly have a lot of daily irritations buzzing around my head – rude actions, bothersome comments, pesky mishaps.

Some of those get in my head and cause negative thoughts – angry, fearful, sinful thoughts. And if I allow them to burrow deeper into my mind, they become part of my life and can destroy me.

But we have a Good Shepherd, and He promises if we come to Him every day, He will anoint our head with oil.

also...

We shall not lack God’s goodness and mercy all the days of our life

v6a.-Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life

Dwight L. Moody, who was a famous evangelist was once approached by a woman who needed counseling.

Two men, she claimed, were following her. Whenever she stepped onto the city trolley, they stepped onto it behind her. When she stepped off, they stepped off. With a nervous twitch in her neck, she insisted that she had even been followed to his office by these very two men.

Moody could easily detect that this precious woman was suffering from a mental delusion. There was no one following her. But to put her at ease, he told her: “Those two men following you are David’s men. Their names are Goodness and Mercy.”

He turned in the Bible to Psalm 23:6 and showed her, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.” She was relieved and exclaimed: “That is wonderful. I have always wondered what their names are.” The woman left that day with peace of mind, comforted to know that it was goodness and mercy that were following her.

As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I need to be also trusting that the goodness and mercy of God are following our every step. We need to be similarly confident and comforted, believing that every day of our lives, these two friends of David are with us for every step of life’s journey.

lastly...

We shall not lack an eternal dwelling with God

v6b.- I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

When our time in this earthly tent is complete, we “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” We will see David, the psalmist dwelling there. Our family in the Lord will be there, too. Best of all, we will see Christ face to face.

He will wipe away every tear, and we will worship Him forever. One day there will be no more pain, no more suffering, and no more death. What a glorious day that will be.

As John 14:2–3 says...

2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.