Guided by "The Shepherd"

Scripture Text Psalm 23

Intro: We all must daily make the choice of whom and what will guide us in the affairs of our lives this New Year. We must pray and read God’s word each day for His guidance because He knows the best and prosperous way. We would be wise if we started each day with Psalm 23 and claimed the promises of this chapter for ourselves in addition to our other readings and prayer. May we pray this Psalm and meditate on it to begin each new day this coming year. As we do we will see a big difference in our attitudes and the direction of our lives! We will experience the blessings and favor of Father God on our lives each day!

I. Daily declare the Lord as your Shepherd. Psalms 23:1 (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 a. Lord means Master, Owner, Mentor, Supreme authority. He is the “Self-existent One.”

 b. The sheep follow the shepherd because he is the One who feeds, takes care of, and watches over His sheep. Jesus calls Himself the Great Shepherd in John chapter 10. Shepherds name their sheep. Jesus the good Shepherd calls His sheep by name   and His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. They will not follow a stranger. If we read and focus on His word each day this year and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, it is sure to set the direction of our lives in the blessed and favored way of God. As we follow the good Shepherd, Jesus, We shall not want, but we will be stable and secure through whatever circumstances or situations we face throughout the year.

II. We will be blessed with spiritual nourishment and refreshment. Psalms 23:2 (NKJV) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.       

  a. The first blessing of the Shepherd is spiritual nourishment. As a shepherd leads sheep to fresh grass for feeding, so the Lord leads His people. Not only to feed, but He makes us lie down to rest, and enjoy tranquility, peace, and safety; (in green pastures) —Where there are both delight and plenty. “The image is that of a flock feeding in green, lush meadows, and relaxing in quietness by the streams of water running gently through them. This image conveys the idea of the provision made for the soul as well as the body. Jesus opens his hand and fills His sheep with every need and more. One who follows the Lord does not lack any spiritual nourishment or refreshment either because He makes us lie down and rest in peace as He provides us with everything needed for a fulfilled and blessed life.

 III. We will have vitality and moral direction. Psalms 23:3 (NKJV) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

  a. He restores our soul each day as we look to Him. I shall not lack spiritual vitality because the Lord restores and refreshes my soul with His forgiveness, love, peace and joy as I follow Him. We all need our souls restored during rough times in our lives. I shall not lack moral direction because the Lord is leading and guiding me in the right way (paths of righteousness). A good shepherd knows the right paths on which to bring the sheep home safely. So too the Lord loses none of His sheep, but guides them in the right way. He does so because of His reputation (or name’s sake). Our part is to make sure we follow the Shepherd’s leading through daily prayer, bible reading, and meditation as He speaks guidance and direction to us by His Spirit. Then as we follow His leading, Ps.1:3 says we shall be like a tree planted by streams of living water bringing forth fruit in season, our leaf will not wither and we will prosper in all we do.

IV. We will have the Lord’s protection. Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

  a. There is no need to fear through the rough places in life, even in the face of death because the Shepherd is right there with us. If one finds himself in a valley of deep darkness, depression, (or shadow of death), he need not fear. The Lord is with us and will protect us. The rod and staff are the shepherd’s equipment to protect the sheep in such situations. The rod is used to fight off the wolves and the staff is used to gently bring a straying sheep back into the fold. David was comforted by the Lord’s presence and protection. Believers are never in situations the Lord is not aware of, for He never leaves or forsakes His people. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

V. We will have the Lord’s provision. Psalms 23:5 (NKJV) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

  a. In this verse the scene changes to a banquet hall where a gracious host provides lavish hospitality. Under this image the psalmist rejoiced in the Lord’s provision. What was comforting to David was that this was in the presence of his enemies. Despite impending danger, the Lord spread out a table for him, that is, God provided for him. Food is placed before him, while his enemies stand frowningly at the door.

 b. He also anoints our heads with oil. Shepherds anoint the heads of their sheep to soothe the scratches and wounds. For priests the anointing oil speaks of consecration to their work. For kings the anointing oil is associated with coronation as ruler. For the believer the anointing oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit the moment he receives Jesus as his Savior. This anointing of the Spirit seals us for God and guarantees the believer victory over Satan, sin and the world. The Spirit is also our teacher. He takes God’s word and teaches us truth. The Spirit gives us the power of to live the life God has called each of us to live and do what He called us to do.

When we think of all the riches of grace which we have in Christ Jesus, we burst forth with the grateful acknowledgment, “My cup runs over!” with God’s blessings and favor.

   

 VI. We will have God’s loyal love. Psalms 23:6 (NKJV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

  a. David realized that the Lord’s good loyal love (mercy)(grace) would follow after him everywhere through all his life him as a result of God’s anointing on him. God’s blessings on His people remain with them no matter what their circumstance may be. So he concluded I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The house of the Lord referred to the sanctuary (tabernacle). David said I had rather be in the Lord’s house than anywhere else on earth. For the rest of his life on earth he would enjoy full communion with the Lord in His sanctuary and then when this life is over face to face communion with Him and Jesus forever in Heaven.

INVITATION: Is the Lord your Shepherd? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? If not, you will not dwell with the Lord forever. Ask Jesus now to forgive your sins against God and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him to be your Shepherd and lead you through all the storms of life to the dawn of that beautiful day there in Heaven.