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The Lord Our Shepherd

  1. Introduction
    1. How many truly satisfied people do you know? It may well be one of the most elusive qualities in the world!
    2. Philippians 4:11 – “learned” to be content; Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He that loves money will not be satisfied; he that loves wealth – it is vanity.’
    3. Illustration of a little boy who had way too many pancakes – “I don’t want the ones I already had.”
    4. Psalm 22-24 – each of these Psalms has Messianic (prophetic) overtones:
      1. Psalm 22 – Suffering King
      2. Psalm 23 – Shepherd King
      3. Psalm 24 – Sovereign King
    5. One of the greatest pictures of God anywhere in Scripture is that of Shepherd. Think of how the NT explains/expands the idea of Psalm 23 –
      1. John 10:11 – The Good Shepherd
      2. Hebrews 13:20 – The Great Shepherd
      3. 1 Peter 5:1-4 – The Chief Shepherd
    6. This means we are like sheep.
      1. Make same mistakes repeatedly
      2. Vulnerable to attack
      3. Prone to wander (Isa. 53:6)
      4. Dependent
    7. Psalm 23 is a picture of contentment in the realization that the Lord is our shepherd!
  2. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES ALL WE EVER NEED (1-3)
    1. Nourishment. 17 personal pronouns in 6 verses. VERY PERSONAL!
      1. The Lord – Powerful
      2. is – Positive
      3. My – Personal
      4. Shepherd – Practical
      5. Shall NOT lack – See Deut. 2:7; Psalm 84:11
      6. Green Pastures – He’s the bread of life (John 6:35-51) – HUNGER
      7. Still Waters – Giver of water of life (John 4:14; 7:31-37) – THIRST
    2. Restoration (v 2). Revives when need strength. Psalm 19:7; Matt. 11:28ff.
      1. When Stubborn – rod of correction
      2. When Straying – staff of guidance
      3. When Sick – oil of healing
    3. Guidance (v 3). His care is constant/compassionate. “Paths of righteousness” – Psalm 119:105.  We spend too much time in the paths of trouble and NOT ENOUGH TIME HERE. “For His name’s sake” – the condition of the flock says a lot about the character of the shepherd! Psalm 106:8 – “that He might make His mighty power known.”
    4. For Your Name’s sake –
      1. Use me
      2. Make me holy
      3. Keep me from evil
      4. Make me more like Jesus.
  3. THE SHEPHERD PROTECTS US WHEREVER WE ARE (4-5) – IN ALL OF LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES
    1. When we face death and trying times (v 4). There is NO –
      1. valley without mountains,
      2. shadow without light, (John 8:12; 9:5)
      3. death without life (John 11:25)
      4. evil without greater good (1 John 4:4)
    2. Faith often is forged in the valley of life (Hebrews 5:7-9). “You are with me” – Once David fully realized this, he couldn’t stop singing about it!
    3. When we face enemies (v 5). We can be safe/satisfied. Who sets the table at your house? THE LORD DOES HERE! They would harm, but He helps. Anoints with oil – friendship, acceptance, celebration. Cup RUNS OVER!
  4. THE SHEPHERD PROMISES ALL WE COULD EVER WANT (6)
    1. Often, Psalm 23 read at funerals but IT’S ABOUT LIFE! (John 10:10).
    2. “Surely goodness and mercy” – in hot pursuit / aggressively chase.
    3. “All the days of my life” – What joy!
    4. Begins and ends with “the Lord” – First 3 words – “The Lord is. . .” The last 3 words – “the Lord forever.”
    5. Heaven – Psalm 16:11; 43:4; 2 Cor. 12.
      1. 1st Heaven by Day
      2. 2nd Heaven by Night
      3. 3rd Heaven by Faith
  5. Conclusion
    1. Ezekiel 34:23. Micah 5:2-4. JESUS!
    2. 2 Timothy 1:12 – Illustration of a dear Christian woman who got so sick she could only say “Him” – the Shepherd was/is ENOUGH! I shall NOT lack.—Mike Vestal