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Presented, March 12, 2006

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

PSALM 23

Tonight we continue our study of the psalms.  We have reached what is the most well known of all psalms.  It is a psalm of comfort written by David with no specific timing attached.  One author notes it is interesting to notice that following a psalm of our suffering Savior, we find this psalm of His peace.

As we examine this psalm we see the hope and security we have in our Lord.

I.                     The Lord is My Shepherd

a.        The concept of a shepherd was one that Israelites could relate to.  They understood everything about that trade.  And the importance of a shepherd was seen in his abilities to rule over, guide, feed and protect his flock.  Sheep as a result trusted the shepherd being willing to follow and completely trust their shepherd.
IT is a wonderful illustration of our relationship with our Lord.

b.       The idea of a shepherd is prevalent where our Lord is concerned.
1 Peter 5:4 refers to Him as “the Chief Shepherd”
John 10:11, 14 – Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd”
John 10:7 – Jesus is the door of the sheep
Hebrews 13:21 – Jesus is “the great Shepherd”

c.        He has done all for His sheep
John 10:11, 15 – He lays down His life for them
John 10:28 – He protects His sheep (none shall snatch them)

d.       Finally, 1 Peter 2:25 refers to Him as, “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

e.        We are His sheep – John 10 thereby listening to Him, following Him and obeying Him.
Perhaps one of the most stirring illustrations

II.                   I shall not want (1b -2)

a.        A true shepherd (one concerned) takes care of the needs of all His flock.  They do not go hungry, or suffer because of the elements because the shepherd takes care of them.  Here David speaks of making me to lie down in green pastures, and leading beside still waters – places where there is plenty of nourishment.

b.       As followers of Christ, we have the assurance that we will be taken care of – Luke 12:30-32, Jesus speaking to His disciples gives them assurance if they keep the kingdom first.  Note vs. 32 where Jesus refers to them as His “little flock”

c.        This does not mean that we will get everything we want of this life’s goods.  Sometimes, what we want is what we DON’T really need.  There are times when the best provisions our Lord can give us is to deny our wants and desires.
Hebrews 13:5-6 notes that we are to be content, because He will never leave or forsake us.

III.                 He restores my soul (3)

a.        The idea of restoration means that one has become parched, weak or in disarray.  Yet now he is refreshed and restored to his proper state. 

b.       A sheep that has been sick or lost when it is found is returned to its flock and cared for until its health is fully restored. 
Consider Luke 15:4-7 where he leaves his flock to find the one that is missing.

c.        When we are burdened with sin, our Lord is our ONLY hope of restoration.  1 John 1:7, it is His blood that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

d.       A good shepherd will also lead his sheep down the right paths that lead to a productive end (toward water and green pastures, safety, etc.).
This is true also of our Lord – in John 14:6, He is described as “the Way, the truth and the life.”

IV.                He is there as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (4)

a.        The valley of the shadow of death – this would be reference to some dangerous situation.

b.       For us, it could refer to difficult times we face, or more literally, as we face death itself. 

c.        The child of God has no need to fear death.  Because he knows the Lord has gone before and prepared the way for us – 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 – Death, where is your sting…
Thus David said, “I will fear no evil.”

d.       David said, “For you are with me.”  I am reminded of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:18 - the Lord had stood with Paul and he was convinced He would still be there in the end.

e.        Your rod and staff comfort me.  These tools were used by shepherds to guide, but also to discipline. 
The shepherd's rod and staff
The shepherd's rod and staff: -- In 1849 Dr. Duff was travelling near Simla under the shadow of the great Himalaya mountains. One day his way led to a narrow bridle path cut out on the face of a steep ridge; along this narrow path that ran so near the great precipice he saw a shepherd leading on his flock following him, but now and then the shepherd stopped and looked back. If he saw a sheep creeping up too far on the one hand, or going too near the edge of the dangerous precipice on the other, he would at once turn back and go to it, gently pulling it back. He had a long rod as tall as himself, round the lower half of which was twisted a band of iron. There was a crook at one end of the rod, and it was with this the shepherd took hold of one of the hind legs of the sheep to pull it back. The thick band of iron at the other end of the rod was really a staff, and was ready for use whenever he saw a hyena or wolf or some other troublesome animal coming near the sheep, for especially at night these creatures prowled about the flock. With the iron part of the rod he would give a good blow when an attack was threatened. In Ps 23:4, we have mention made of "Thy rod and Thy staff." There is meaning in both, and distinct meaning. God's rod draws us back, kindly and lovingly, if we go aside from His path. God's staff protects us against the onset, open or secret, whether it be men or devils which are the enemies watching an opportunity for attack.  (Life of Dr. Duff.)  (from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright (c) 2002 AGES and Biblesoft, Inc.)
Often times discipline is referred to as a rod. Prov. 13:24, “He who spares his rod hates his son. But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”
Prov. 22:15, “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.”
Hebrews 12:5-8, God chastises His children in some way.
Have you ever wondered how a rod of correction will be a source of comfort?  It keeps us in line where we ought to be and thus in the end leads to goodness. Prov. 22:6, “train up a child…”

V.                  He abundantly blesses us (5)

a.        David realizes how abundantly blessed he really is.  In this verse there are 3 descriptions of that abundance.  Yes David had much, but at this point he was humbled at the degree of his blessings.

b.       What about us?  When we really how truly blessed we are in this life, how do we react?  Do we simply whine and complain because we want more, or are we content and humbled by how much more we have than most of the world and multitudes even in our own country. 
Ephesians 3:20 speaks of our Lord’s ability to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”  Are we thankful for that?  How often do we let Him know?
Are we really content with what we have? Philippians 4:11 – contentment in whatever state we are in.

VI.                Goodness now, eternity with the Lord (6)

a.        David can look at his life and see how truly blessed he is right then.  And thus he says, Goodness and mercy will follow him in this life always.
Friends, David didn’t know what the future held, but he knew that no matter what it was, everything would be alright.
That too is an attitude we need as Christians. 
Philippians 4:18 – Paul says, “Indeed I have all and abound.  I am full…”  This comes from one writing from a prison cell in Rome.

b.       And not only can we have a good life now, but in the end we will have our eternal home in heaven with our Lord who has shepherded us on the way.  2 Corinthians 5:1-8 – to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Let us keep this psalm in our minds always as we go through the shadows and valleys of this life and as we face eternity from this side.  The only question that remains is – ARE YOU READY FOR THAT?