Our Personal Shepherd

 

Scripture Text

Psalm 23

Intro: A lot of people think God is way up there somewhere in the blue and He doesn't care what happens to me. Yet scripture shows God to be a very personal God. The fact that He is personal distinguishes Him from all false Gods. Notice the personal aspect of a Christians relationship with God in Psalm 23. Seventeen times David uses personal pronouns such as I, me and my. We see God active in the affairs of His people in Ps. 23.

I. The Lord is my Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The term my Shepherd means you must have a personal relationship with God. That can only happen when you confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you. Then God becomes very active in your life as your personal Shepherd. A shepherd meets all the needs of his sheep such as guidance, food, shelter, protection and health. They want for nothing. Phil. 4:19 says My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

II. God fills my life with overflowing abundance. Psalm 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; Green pastures symbolize abundance provision. God makes me to lie down and rest in my spirit because of His abundant provisions for my life. I have been given every spiritual blessing in the heaven places in Christ. [Eph. 1:3]

III. God leads me into peace and tranquility. Psalm 23:2b He leads me beside the still waters. Running water scares the sheep. They are afraid of drowning. Still waters bring contentment to the sheep as they nourish themselves. When the situations in my life are running out of control, God leads me to a place of peace and tranquility which is found in meditating on His word to me.

IV. God restores my soul and leads my path. Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Sometimes my soul gets worn out. It becomes weary and anxious due to the demands of life. When I do God restores my soul through the promises in His word and His continual presence in my life. God's Spirit inside of me takes God's word and leads me in the way I should go to enjoy the blessed life. Without God's leadership in my life, I would go astray and find myself in a dangerous position which would bring me harm. He does this for His name's sake. When He became my Shepherd, He promised me His blessings and that He would take care of me. God fulfills His word in me for His names sake because He can't lie and in order to prove Himself as He has declared Himself to be.

V. God comforts me in my trials. Psalm 23:4 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. I will not give way to my fears but will confidently rely upon the word and promises of God, persuaded that his grace shall be sufficient for me, His Spirit is my Comforter, so support and comfort cannot be wanting. His gospel is the rod of his strength, and there is enough in that to comfort me, both while I live, even in my greatest troubles, and also when I am dying. His upholding grace under all my trials is sufficient for me. [2 Corinthians 12:9] His grace brings me sufficient protection, comfort and guidance regardless of what I have to face.

VI. God provides me victory. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. God prepares a table for me with every spiritual blessing and promise of victory over the world and the devil. He does this in the presence of my enemies. They see and envy me as God anoints me with His Holy Spirit. My cup runs over because He has blessed me above all that I could even ask or think.

VII. God's goodness and mercy follow me. Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. God is ready to do good and have mercy on me All the days of my life here on this earth. I conclude that from the past instances of God's favor to me and because of His unchangeable nature, and the stability of his covenant and promises. I have a covenant with God through Jesus Christ's shed blood. I am His child. And I have the promise of an eternal home in God's kingdom when this life is over. [John14:1-3]

Conclusion: We conclude from these passages of scriptures that God is very concerned about His people, and He is active in our lives every day working out His will for us. Romans 8:31-32 ³¹  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Invitation: Is God your personal Shepherd? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive and save you from hell? If not now is the appointed time. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you save you and invite Him into your life. Then you will know Him as your personal Great Shepherd.