The Good Shepherd

“The Good Shepherd”

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd”

David experienced many hardships and challenges that many of us still face today.

Often times when someone mentions David, they automatically think about a young shepherd boy who rose to become a great King and who also wrote many of the Psalms. The 23^rd Psalm is the one that may come to most people’s mind.

In the 23^rd Psalm David progressively unveils his personal relationship with the Lord.

 Vs. 1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

David states that He (the Lord) is, and makes it personal.

• He is Lord
• He is a shepherd
• He is a provider

A shepherd is:

• A person who takes care of sheep
• A person who provides protection for the flock
• A person who searches each day for an area where the sheep can graze and be watered

Vs. 2 ^“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.“

David describes the rest, peace and direction that he receives from his Shepherd.

Vs. 3 “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.“

David describes what God does if or when we back slide, and how He leads his sheep down the right path, to give God the glory:

• He (God) restores us back to Him in good standing and then leads us in the right direction to insure we stay in good standing

Vs.4  “Yea, 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.”

David again describes how God is with us to help us go in the right direction, especially if we are in the presence of evil or danger.

We are living in perilous times. At any given time of the day or night, we can be in the presence of danger. Because He (God) is the great “I am” and is omnipresent, we as believers do not have fear of danger or the presence of evil. Why? Because of God’s peace that surpasses all understanding is upon us giving us comfort.

Vs.5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

David describes how God will bless us:

• God will not only bless us – but He will do it in a way that other people will clearly see you being blessed and how the blessing is over flowing
• God anoints the sheep with oil
• Provides plenty to drink (my cup runs over) there is more than enough

Vs.6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever.”

David describes how God’s blessings will continue to follow us each day of our lives. (David gives the reader hope of having eternal life with God in heaven).

^{Blessings in the 23rd Psalms}

1. The Lord is their Shepherd
2. No want for anything
3. Being able to rest in choice green pastures
4. Guidance to still, waters that are deep restful and refreshing
5.  Having restoration of the soul
6. Guidance in righteous paths for His names sake without the danger of falling or going astray
7. Having safe travel through the areas of ravines where there is danger, wild beasts and unsure footing on rocks
8. Being able to have no fear of evil because of the shepherds constant protection and watch
9. Receiving the comfort of the rod and staff of the shepherd that he uses to fight and protect against dangers or threats
10.  Abundance of food to be eaten in the presence of  enemies
11. Receiving an anointing with precious oil
12. Plenty to drink preventing to quench any thirst
13. Having the confidence that these blessings along with goodness and mercy are not just for a day, but for a life time
14. Reassuring faith of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever

John 14 :1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

” Lord Jesus, thank you for being the good Shepherd that watches over, protects, and provides…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev