Thankful Sheep
Text: Psalm 23
Introduction
1. Illustration: A little boy offered up a Thanksgiving Day prayer for the family and prayed: "Dear God, this is Jimmy. Thank you for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all of the holidays. Thank you for the turkey and dressing and Mom and Dad and even for my little sister, even though some times she can be a pain. Thank you for books and TV and game boy. Thank you for loving us. Oh, yeah. And take care of yourself, God. Because without you, we’re sunk. Amen."
2. Most of us when we think of Thanksgiving visions of turkey come to mind, and shortly we’ll be having some. However, before we do, I want us to look at Thanksgiving through the eyes of a sheep
3. When it comes down to it, that is what we are, the sheep of the Good Shepherd. Our shepherd gives us:
a. Abundant Life
b. Secure Life
c. Blessed Life
1. Read Ps. 23:1-6
Proposition: We should be thankful today because we have a Good Shepherd who provides for us in every way.
Transition: We should be...
I. Thankful For Abundant Life (1-3)
A. The Lord Is My Shepherd
1. The psalms, like all Scripture, are inspired and given by God (2 Tim 3:16). And yet, each psalm originated with a human author as a prayer or praise to the Lord.
a. The psalms are diverse, composed as the responses of God’s people to him.
b. The psalms include laments, psalms of praise, wisdom, thanksgiving, reflections on God’s mighty acts, celebrations of God’s revelation, and worship (NLT Study Bible).
c. Yet no Psalm is as loved nor as recognizable as the 23rd Psalm.
2. This beloved Psalm begins with "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need."
a. The first word of the psalm, "The LORD" (Yahweh), evokes rich images of the provision and protection of the covenant-God.
b. He promised to take care of his people and revealed himself to be full of love, compassion, patience, fidelity, and forgiveness (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Psalms).
c. He demonstrated this ability to care for his people in the wilderness.
d. Deuteronomy 2:7 (NLT)
For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.”’
e. He also demonstrated it later in the promised land.
f. Deuteronomy 8:9-10 (NLT)
9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills.
10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
3. This first verse also refers to the Lord as our shepherd.
a. The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself , but more often he delegates the work to his children or relatives.
b. In such cases the sheep have good care because the keepers have a personal interest in the well-being of the animals.
c. The chief care of the shepherd is to see that the sheep find plenty to eat and drink.
d. That Yahweh is "shepherd" is consistent with the thinking of those in the ancient Near Eastern kings who saw themselves as shepherds of their people.
e. They saw their role as being responsible to provide protection and justice for their subjects.
f. Since this Psalm is written by King David and he states that Yahweh is his shepherd, he is in essence indicating that the Lord is also the King of Israel (Wilson, NIV Application Commentary: Psalms vol. 1, 431-432).
4. It is because of this personal interest that the Lord has for us that we can say, "I have all that I need."
a. The focus of the word want is not an indication that God will give us whatever we want, but rather that he will give us what we need. We know that Yahweh will give us whatever we need (Wilson, 432).
b. Psalms 37:25 (NLT)
Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.
c. This does not mean that if we ask God for a Corvette we are going to get one. God promises to take care of our needs.
5. David also says of Yahweh, "He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams."
a. Anyone who has ever been to the Middle East, seen film or pictures of the area, can see what powerful statements are packed into verses 2 and 3.
b. At best it is a land that is a dry, rocky set of hills covered with sparse and tough grass, and water sources are few, and even then, seasonal (Wilson, 432).
c. According the this Psalm, Yahweh provides all the necessities of life for his sheep.
d. First, he provides us with rest in lush green meadows, which is again extremely unusual in this area of the world.
e. Without such rest the flock would become weary and worn out, which would eventually lead to death or would make us susceptible to attack from predators.
f. Second, he provides us with quiet waters from which to drink.
g. Without water any animal would die, and so water is one of the key ingredients to life.
h. In addition, the streams he leads us to are quiet and peaceful and not raging torrents that would scare us and make drinking nearly impossible.
6. The next thing we learn about the Good Shepherd is that "He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."
a. He allows us to have our strength renewed. Again without rest we would become weary and die.
b. Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
c. The fourth thing that he provides for us is guidance.
d. The term "right paths," of course means the one that gets us were we need to be.
e. However, since this is Scripture, also has moral overtones to it and refers to a way of life that fulfills Yahweh’s expectations for us.
f. We are not left on our own to find our own way, but he leads down path that lead us close to him (Wilson, 433).
7. There is something here of which we must take note. We are told that Yahweh does this to bring honor to his name.
a. This concept is related to the idea of reputation. Just as we want to have a "good name" in the community, and the Lord is no exception. In fact, to be disreputable is the same as having no name at all.
b. Job 30:8 (NLT) They are nameless fools, outcasts from society.
c. On the other hand, in ancient Hebrew culture a persons name revealed something of the nature of their character.
d. Therefore, God would not be true to his name if he did not provide for us, and it would indicate inconsistency of his character.
e. Revelation 19:11 (NLT) Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.
B. Provision
1. Illustration: “One of the adversary’s most useful schemes is to keep Christians focusing on their problems rather than on God’s provision” (John R. Cionca, The Victors: Overcoming Toxins That Poison the Believer, 33).
2. We should be thankful because God gives us all we have.
a. If it wasn’t for God we would have nothing.
b. You can say that you earned what you have, but if God didn’t give you the ability you couldn’t earn anything.
c. If you have a roof over your head you have reason to be thankful.
d. If you have clothes on your back you have reason to be thankful.
e. If you have food to eat you have reason to be thankful.
3. We should be thankful because God gives us all we need.
a. We may not all be millionaires, but we have reason to be thankful.
b. We may not all live in a mansion, but none of us are living in a cardboard box either.
c. We may not all drive Porches’, but we get where we need to go.
d. All because God provides!
4. We should show our thankfulness by giving back to God what he requires.
a. Malachi 3:10 (NLT)
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
b. The word tithe means "a tenth part."
c. God gives everything and only asks for 10% back. What a deal!
d. If we do, God will bless us on the 10%. Wow, what an awesome deal!!
Transition: We should also be...
II. Thankful For Secure Life (4-5a)
A. Protect and Comfort Me
1. The next thing that David tells us about the Good Shepherd is that "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me."
a. Traditionally, this verse is translated "valley of death."
b. This imagery is consistent with the shepherd metaphor because the shepherd leads the flock through ravines and wadis where the steep and narrow slopes keep out the light.
c. The term "shadow of death," can be understood because, as you might imagine, since it is so dark in these wadis, they are filled with predators and dangers of every kind.
d. The darkness of the wadis represents the uncertainty of life.
e. The "straight paths" at times need to go through the wadis, but God is still present (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Psalms).
f. However, although the reality of the flocks fear is well founded, that fear fades with the reality that Yahweh, the good shepherd, is right there with them.
2. Moreover, he says, "Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
a. A rod was a shorter, mace-like instrument that could be used as a weapon against an enemy or attacking predator.
b. The staff, on the other hand, was a longer sort of stick that was used for support and guidance (Wilson, 435).
c. No matter what attacks us, whether it is physical, mental, or spiritual, God protects and comforts his sheep.
d. Acts 18:9-10 (NLT)
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!
10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”
3. David tells us that we can have extreme confidence in God’s protection when he says, "You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings."
a. Here we see another shifts as the message connects us more closely with our lives.
b. We are made aware of the realization of communion with Yahweh.
c. To accept someone as a guest at your table brought with it not only the responsibility to provide food and drink, but also safety and comfort.
d. To have fellowship with Yahweh meant not only communion with him, but also to be so free from fear of harm that we could eat even in the presence of our enemies (Wilson, 436).
e. Now that is confidence!
B. Security
1. Illustration: "It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation’s humble acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence." -John Adams
2. Romans 8:31 (NLT)
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
3. We should be thankful that God protects us from physical danger.
a. He protects us when people try to harm us.
b. He protects us when disease tries to harm us.
c. He protects us when we try to harm ourselves.
4. We should be thankful because God protects us from spiritual danger.
a. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT)
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
b. He protects us against the devil’s attacks.
c. He protects us against the devil’s schemes
d. He protects us against the devil’s tricks.
e. If God is for us who can be against us!!
Transition: We should also be..
III. Thankful For Blessed Life (5b-6)
A. My Cup Overflows
1. David concludes this great Psalm of thanksgiving by acknowledging the blessings of God.
2. He says, "You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings."
a. The image of anointing the head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing, harmonizes with the concept of a gracious host welcoming someone into his home.
b. In view of the table and the oil David knew that his lot in life (his cup) was abundant blessing from the Lord (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).
c. In the presence of God, the fragrance of his rewards ("oil") and the bounty of his provisions ("cup") make one forget troubles and tears.
d. His is "the cup of salvation" (116:13) that pertains to both body and spirit (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Psalms).
3. Furthermore, he says, "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..."
a. In view of this picture, the psalmist draws comfort that God’s love and presence are constant.
b. "All the days of my life," are an indication that God’s blessings, provision, comfort and care will never end. God never takes a vacation.
c. Psalms 121:4 (NLT)
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
d. His "goodness and love" reflect the attributes of Yahweh, the covenant-faithful God.
e. The word "goodness" refers to "circumstances leading to the blessing of God in this present life" (New International Dict of OT Theology & Exegesis, Pradis CD-ROM:Lexical Articles/ f / b/f /OT).
f. Psalms 27:13 (NLT)
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
g. The "goodness" (tob) of God is demonstrated in his abundant care and promises, and these are evidence of his blessing (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Psalms).
4. He concludes the Psalm saying, "...and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."
a. The house of the Lord referred to the sanctuary (tabernacle).
b. Forever (lit., “length of days”) he would enjoy full communion with the Lord (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).
c. Psalms 27:4 (NLT)
The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
B. Blessings
1. Illustration: Our power is shut off, and suddenly we become thankful for electricity. Our garbage is not picked up, and suddenly we become thankful for the garbage collector’s weekly stop. A good friend dies, and suddenly we discover how much he meant to us. Our water becomes too polluted to drink and suddenly we appreciate having good water. Why is it, Lord, that we take for granted the uncounted blessings of life until they are removed from us (Steve Shepherd in "For Granted or Gratitude")?
2. We need to recognize the blessings of God in our life.
a. Blessings are not just material.
b. Sometimes blessings are the people in our lives.
c. Sometimes blessings are the joy in our life.
d. Sometimes blessings are the things we take for granted until it’s too late.
3. We need to recognize the goodness of God in our lives.
a. We live in a very materialistic society, where success is measured in how much stuff we have accumulated.
b. We measure our worth by how many and how much.
c. We need to see the goodness of God in the little things.
d. We need to see the goodness of God in the blessings of breath in our lungs and arms and legs that work.
e. We need to see the goodness of God in his presence in our lives.
f. Psalms 30:11-12 (NLT)
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Conclusion
1. Are you a thankful sheep?
a. Are you thankful for your abundance?
b. Are you thankful for your security?
c. Are you thankful for your blessings?
2. Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
