My Shepherd

My Shepherd Psalm 23

1. Our Shepherd is a Provider

• The psalmist describes his situation as being without “want” or as lacking nothing

• David insists that he is lacking nothing when the Lord is his shepherd.

• Deuteron mist says, “Surely the Lord your God has blessed you in all your undertakings; he knows you’re going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing” (Deuteronomy 2:7). The Good Shepherd provides.

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2. The Good Shepherd is A Protector

• Sometimes, the shepherd has to lead the sheep through dark places and deep valleys where the shadows are long and dark. Treacherous places, Treacherous beasts that want to destroy

• “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (vv. 4-5, emphasis added).

• David realizes that something special is happening. So, he turns to the Shepherd and his words reveal a sense of amazement and appreciation. “I know what you’re doing. You are taking care of me; you’re protecting me, and I am very grateful.”

• Sometimes, the valleys and dark paths are there And the shepherd cannot make predators go away.

• But David recognizes that in the midst of the valley, while walking dark pathways, while surrounded by predators, the Shepherd is right there!

3. The Shepherd is on Healer

• Sheep stumble; they run into issues Problems, accidents getting into briers.

• The Shepherd, David says, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (v. 5).

• Shepherds were not only guards, pathfinders, but also doctors and nurses. In Psalm 147, the writer says, “He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds” (v. 4). A shepherd had to have knowledge of medicine. He had to know how to treat the most common sheep injuries. A shepherd knew what to do when the sheep had injured themselves, or had been wounded by a predator.

• Our injuries may be of the body, soul or spirit. Our suffering might be physical, or it might be psychological. We could be brokenhearted, or simply broken. We might be at loose ends, or not know which end is up.

• The shepherd knows how to heal wounds, where to pour the oil. The shepherd knows where it hurts.

4. The Good Shepherd is a Host The shepherd leads the sheep home,

• The Shepherd is always aware that he wants to get the sheep to safe place

• One day the Shepherd wants to lead us to an eternal home where we shall spend eternity.

• in this eternal home, “they will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-

• David writes, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (v. 6). Although beady-eyed predators may follow a flock, waiting for an opportunity to strike, David says that in his case, “goodness and mercy” follow him, not predators — from whom in any case he is protected.

• Then he adds, “and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (NIV). The Sheep will experience the presence of the Shepherd throughout his entire life and on into eternity

• My Shepherd Provides, Protects, Heals, and Leads us to our eternal Home.