Introduction

Good morning, my dear church family! It's a beautiful day to gather together and share in the Word of God. We're going to spend some time today with one of the most cherished, most quoted, and most comforting passages in the entire Bible - Psalms 23.

This Psalm, written by David, is a beautiful testament of faith, trust, and assurance in the Lord as our shepherd. It's a passage that brings us comfort in times of trouble, gives us hope when we're feeling lost, and reminds us of the infinite love and care our God has for us.

Let me share it with you now,

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Isn't that just a beautiful picture of God's love and care for us?

Now, before we get into the meat of our sermon, I want to share a quote with you from A.W. Tozer. He once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." This quote reminds us that with God as our shepherd, we can do the impossible. We can face our fears, overcome our obstacles, and live a life filled with His blessings.

Let's take a moment to pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for gathering us here today. As we open our hearts to your word, we ask that you guide us and give us understanding. Help us to see you as our shepherd, leading us, protecting us, and providing for us. We thank you for your love and your mercy. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, let's get right into it. We're going to be looking at three main points today: The Provisions and Protection of the Good Shepherd, and The Promise of a Permanent Dwelling. Let's see what God has in store for us today!

The Provisions

When we think about the role of a shepherd, we understand that one of his primary responsibilities is to provide for his flock. This provision comes in various forms - food, water, shelter, and protection. In the same way, our Good Shepherd, the Lord, provides for us in many ways.

Verse 1: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This is a powerful statement of faith and assurance. It tells us that with the Lord as our shepherd, we lack nothing. He provides for all our needs.

Think about the green pastures and still waters: These are not just physical provisions, but they also symbolize spiritual nourishment and peace. The green pastures represent the Word of God that feeds our souls, and the still waters represent the peace that comes from a relationship with God.

Our daily lives: We experience this provision through the blessings we receive. These blessings may come in the form of good health, loving relationships, fulfilling work, or even the simple joys of life. All these are gifts from our Good Shepherd.

Goes beyond our physical and material needs: He also provides for our spiritual needs. The Psalm says, "He restores my soul." This speaks of the spiritual renewal and refreshment that comes from a relationship with God. In our walk with God, there may be times when we feel weary, discouraged, or distant from God. But the Good Shepherd is always there to restore our souls. He renews our strength, revives our spirit, and rekindles our love for Him.

Something we can experience every day: Through prayer, worship, and the study of God's Word, we can draw near to God and experience His renewing power.

Verse 3: The Psalm also talks about the paths of righteousness that the Good Shepherd leads us on. This speaks of the moral and ethical guidance that God provides. In a world where moral standards are often blurred, the Good Shepherd gives us clear guidance on what is right and wrong. He leads us on paths of righteousness, helping us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. This guidance comes through the Word of God, which is our moral compass. It also comes through the Holy Spirit, who convicts us of sin and leads us in the way of righteousness.

Comfort: The Psalm speaks of the comfort that the Good Shepherd provides. "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." The rod and staff are tools used by a shepherd to guide and protect his sheep. In the same way, God guides and protects us. The comfort of the Good Shepherd is not just a feeling of emotional comfort. It is the assurance of God's presence, protection, and guidance in our lives. It is the confidence that no matter what we face, God is with us, guiding us, and protecting us.

The Protection

As we continue to walk through this beautiful Psalm, we find ourselves in the presence of a shepherd who not only provides but also protects ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO