THE PSALMS SERIES
The Divine Shepherd (pt 2 of 3)
Psalm 23:1-6
Introduction
Probably the most recognized passage is Psalm 23
Most times you hear it mainly at funerals – but it’s not a Psalm for the dead but for the living
There are several things that David tells us that we can look out in helping us to live the Christian life and have success
Last week:
• The Lord is my Shepherd – That’s Relationship
• I shall not want – That’s Provision
• He makes me to lie down – That’s Peace and Rest
• He leads me beside quiet waters – That’s Refreshment
• He restores my soul – That’s Healing
Read Psalm 23 / Pray
Trans: First, notice the end of vs 3 says…
1. He Guides Me in Paths of Righteousness (vs 3) – THAT’S GUIDANCE
The Shepherd is going to lead the sheep in the right path…He will not mislead them
Prov 3:5-6 tells us that if we will trust Him, He will lead or direct our paths
Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end”
Jesus as our Shepherd desires to lead us into the right path – problem is we fail to follow at times
How do we follow Him? First by doing what His Word tells us and second by listening to the Holy Spirit in us
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me”
When our Shepherd tries to lead us…we must make sure we are the ones that FOLLOW when He leads
That’s what His disciples did...Matt 4:22 “and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him”
Matt 8:23 “Then He got out of the boat and the disciples followed Him”
He will lead me to right paths but I must be willing to follow
Trans: He is not just blindly leading me but He says He leads me…
2. For His Names Sake – THAT’S PURPOSE!
Jer 29:11 one of my favorite verses (Quote)
God has a purpose for everything under the sun – including our lives
Ex 9:16 “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth”
Listen, when we follow God on purpose, He makes us look good – and in reality we make Him look good
Prov 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails!”
God wants to lead us in living right; living for Him; so that others will see it and Glorify Him (Matt 5:16)…we should want that AMEN
Trans: Notice that He will even allow me to walk through some dark places that seem like death
3. Even Though I walk Through the valley of the shadow of death – THAT’S TESTING!
God’s Word tells us that there are going to be trials and tribulations in our lives
Places that seem dark…even to the point of death
But it is in the valley that I will gain the greatest growth in my walk
Acts 20:19 “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of Jewish opponents”
James 1:3 “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”
Saints God will allow Satan to sift us like wheat and test our faith and love
(Luke 22:31)
Important to note that Satan…even in testing…has to get permission from God to do so…but even in this valley, God is leading me…He is with me
Now – consider also this – all of these are promises AMEN – but look at it again
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Notice, I am just passing through and not staying – I may walk by the place of the dead (which is what shadow of death means in the Heb)
What is a shadow? It is an image of something cast on the ground…
Notice the shadow of death will come to us all in this life but not DEATH ETERNAL (Expound)…
I might walk by the shadow of death but I won’t experience it
Trans: As I walk through this valley…
4. I Will Fear No Evil – THAT’S PROTECTION!
I don’t have to fear death; I don’t have to fear testing; persecution; trials; tribulations
1 Cor 15:54-55 “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory” Where O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting”
I can trust in God’s protection for my life…I don’t have to give in to fear
Psa 3:6 “I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side”
Psa 61:3 “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe”
Prov 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Turn to Psalm 27:1-3
Trans: I do not have to fear because…
5. You Are With Me – THAT’S FAITHFULNESS!
Even though I walk through death’s shadow; even though I go through the fires and trials of persecution
I don’t have to fear because Jesus is with me…He’s in the boat…He’s in the fiery furnace
Even when I am unfaithful to Him…He is faithful to me
Even if I try to walk away from Him…He doesn’t walk away from me
Deut 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will NEVER LEAVE you nor forsake you”
Joshua 1:5 “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you”
Listen, even when it comes time for me to pass from this life to everlasting life I believe the Lord will be with us and we don’t have to fear
Trans: And lastly, while we are still here, we don’t have to fear because
6. Your Rod and Your Staff They Comfort Me – THAT’S DISCIPLINE
The word “comfort” here literally means “to have compassion or take pity on”
The amazing thing about a Shephard’s staff is that it is used for many purposes when tending to the sheep
Sometimes I get myself into a pit…translated “I dig myself a hole and follow into it”
Even then, the Shepherd can reach down with His staff (hook end) and pull me out
Other times I “act up” if you will and I need a good ole spanking…CAN I GET A WITNESS
Listen, sometimes God allows us to go through things as a way of correcting us or disciplining us
Prov 10:13 “Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense”
Prov 13:24 “Whoever spares the rod hates their children; but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”
Prov 23:14 “Punish them with the rod and save them from death”
I really like this one in Prov 26:3 “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!”
Turn to Heb 12:5-7 as we get ready to close (The Lord chastens those He loves)
Conclusion
David tells us of the intimate relationship he has with his Shepherd
That He is full of comforts and God’s goodness; of His love; guidance; purpose; discipline
We see from David that...
1. The Lord is my Shepherd – THAT’S RELATIONSHIP
2. I shall not want – THAT’S PROVISION
3. He makes me lie down in green pastures – THAT’S REST
4. He leads me beside quiet waters – THAT’S PEACE & REST
5. He restores my soul – THAT’S HEALING
6. He leads me in paths of righteousness – THAT’S GUIDANCE
7. For His Name Sake – THAT’S PURPOSE
8. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – THAT’S TESTING
9. I Will Fear No Evil – THAT’S PROTECTION
10. For You Are with Me – THAT’S FAITHFULNESS
11. Your Rod and Staff Comfort me – THAT’S DISCIPLINE
Pray
