|
|
The Lord is My Shepherd Psalm 23 Introduction: The 23rd Psalm is written by David. Some Psalms are designed to teach, others are Messianic. Some are Psalms of degrees – people would sing as they travel up to Jerusalem. Some are historical in nature, recounting past events in the history of Israel. This Psalm stresses the nature of God and our relationship to Him. When was this Psalm written? No one knows. Was it written while David was a young boy tending to his father’s sheep? What it written when David was in his prime, leading the nation of Israel? Or, was it written when he was an old man facing the last days of his life? No one knows. It applies equally to all the stages of David’s life and our also. I) Verses 1-3 A) Physical sequence 1. There were many flocks and shepherds in Palestine during the days of David. 2. Daily routine for shepherds was to take the sheep to water and then to pasture land. a. The shepherds stayed with the sheep in the fields to protect them from wolves and thieves. b. He got to know his sheep and maybe even name them. 3. Sheep are animals that follow their shepherd and are not easily driven. B) Spiritual 1. There have been and remain many different types of shepherds but there is only one good shepherd, Ezekiel 34.5-6 a. Jesus describes the hireling shepherd, John 10.12-13 b. The Jewish leaders were not interested in the people but their own power. 2. David saw his relationship to God as a one to one relationship. The Lord is My Shepherd (My God). Not "the Lord is the shepherd of the world and leads the multitude of his flock." a. He cares for me; He watches after me, he preserves me. b. To the individual lamb the rest of the flock does not matter if he is lost. 3. Jesus laid down his life for me, John 10.14-18 a. It does not matter that He died for the whole world if I am lost. 4. He leads me to green pastures, and water. a. His word sustains us, provides us with milk and food, 1 Peter 2.1-3 b. One thing the shepherd could not do was to make the sheep drink and eat. 5. He leads us, He does not drive us, John 10.3-4 a. Who is leading you, who is watching out for your soul. Who is there to help you in times of distress? 6. He restores my soul. Causes my life to return. a. Some times our spirit gets tired, exhausted, weary, troubled, anxious, worn down by life. b. The spirit is willing by the body is weak is the old saying but some times the body may be willing by the spirit gets weak. c. Regena’s grandmother one time said she did not know how it happened but one day she woke up and realized she was old. d. It is at times like that we need rest and comfort, Matthew 11.28-30. 7. He leads me in the pathway of righteousness, Jeremiah 31.9 a. There are many different pathways we can follow. b. There is only one path that leads to righteousness. 8. For His names sake. We are here to serve Him, to glorify Him, 1 Peter 4.16. II) Verse 4 The Lamb A) Physically the lamb is defenseless, slow, and not very powerful 1. No one dreads the lamb! 2. Needs someone to lead them, they are followers. 3. They rely on the shepherd to protect and feed them. B) Spiritually the same applies 1. We are pretty well powerless, and defenseless creatures. a. Don’t believe me. Wait until you get really sick or a love one is near death. 2. Valley of death. No mater how bad things are, if God is with us, we are in the safest place in the world. Job 10.21-22 a. Nothing to fear in life or death. b. We need to let go of this world and reach for the hand of Jesus. 3. Thy rod and staff gives guidance and correction. a. God’s word does the same. It leads us in the right direction, gives us strength, corrects us, and can give us comfort. 4. How sad it is for people to enter death alone. (Henry Townsend) III) Verse 5& 6- The Reward A) Described as a feast prepared by God. 1. Material blessings may come to the faithful but more importantly are the spiritual blessings. Matthew 6.25 2. God would bless him despite all of his enemies. Romans 9.15-16 a. Others can not separate us from God; no one can take away your hope of heaven. b. One you can do those things. B) The blessings will be overflowing and eternal 1. Anointing was a sign of honor 2. A feast shows the abundance of the blessings. 3. His cup runs over, Ephesians 3.20. a. Your manner of life determines your reward. 4. The greatest blessing is to dwell with God forever. a. At family reunions we are glad to see love ones and get caught up with them. b. Christmas time we are glad to have a few days with brothers, sisters, children; but those times quickly end. Tears are shed as people must go back to their homes and daily lives. c. Heaven will be a place where we will dwell with God and others that love God forever. Conclusion: Jesus is the good shepherd, 1 Peter 5.4; 2.25. Are you a part of His flock? D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 12.30.07 |