Psalm 23 is known as the Shepherds psalm.
A shepherd’s job is to take care of his sheep. To look after their every need, the shepherd is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. His caring never ends. This psalm starts by saying that the Lord is my/our Shepherd.
Let me ask you, do you see the Lord as your Shepherd?
In this Psalm the Shepherd is a symbol for God who is on duty 24 hours a day and 7 days a week so When troubles or problems occur we know we can call on and count on Him.
So what does being looked after by the Shepherd mean, what are the kinds of things the Shepherd does.
- GOD PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE (VS. 1-3a)
- (V1) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want
The sheep will not need anything, the sheep will have all its needs met. Notice it says needs not wants.
B. The Shepherd provides for their physical needs.
(V:2) “He makes me lie down in green pastures and he leads me beside quiet waters”. Sheep really only need grass, water and rest.
This psalm says God will look after those needs, food, water, shelter and rest.
C. The Shepherd provides for the sheep’s emotional needs.
(V: 3) “He restores my soul”….. what is it that affects our soul, stress and worrying about things we have no control over disturbs our soul. Sin also but our sins are forgiven, so no worries there.
God provides for the physical needs the emotional needs and
D. God provides for their spiritual needs,
( V:3) “He leads me in paths of righteousness”
He will lead us down the path that is right!
God does this thru the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will guide us and lead us. He is that small voice we often hear when we are alone.
The Holy spirit will bring comfort to you in times of need.
God can provide for our Physical needs, our Emotional needs and our Spiritual needs!! God provides for his people and
- GOD GUIDES HIS PEOPLE
( v:4) “Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”,
God will be with us when we head into those deep valleys of life, those valleys that seem dark and troublesome.
“ I will fear no evil For thou art with me” “The rod and staff” “They comfort me”
A. God walks with you in times of trouble
“For thou art with me” God is always with you.
- He guides you in times of trouble; the staff was used for tapping the sheep on the side when you wanted them to go a certain direction, the rod was a steel bar that was used to fight off the things that might attack the sheep. The rod and staff were used to support, protect and guide the sheep.
So God provides for his people, he guides his people and finally, He
III. GOD GIVES HIS PEOPLE COMFORT VERSES READ 5 AND 6
5:You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In ancient times it was customary for the host of a banquet to prepare the table and protect guests who were at the feast. Each guest was anointed with oil which was for healing and was seen as a blessing.
When we accept Christ as our Shepherd goodness and love will follow us all of our days until we dwell in the house of the lord in Heaven.
Do you know the shepherd, if you want to receive the Blessings that this psalm talks about you need to accept him and invite him to take over your life and tend to all your needs.
Let him provide for you, Let him guide you and Let him bring you comfort today.
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ALLIANCE HISTORY AND THOUGHT
The Western District office of the Christian and missionary Alliance is managed by Brent Trask our District superintendant. This is an elected position, a 4 year term. DEXCOM is the District Executive Committee which is a team of 13 members works alongside our District Superintendent and District staff. They provide prayer, accountability and guidance to the strategic vision and decision making of our District. This team is comprised of Official Workers (pastors and other church staff members) and lay (non-clergy) leaders from the church. The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is organized into six geographic districts. Each district has a District Superintendent that works with their own DEXCOM.
