The Divine Shepherd (Part 2 Of 3) Series

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