Who’s Your Shepherd?

Psalm 23

Kevin Clark

 

        We don’t know exactly when David wrote this psalm. The original thought could’ve been while he was watching his father’s sheep. It could've been while he was fleeing from Saul. Verse 5 makes us believe this was during the days when David was in-hiding.

We do know that his experience as a shepherd provided the influence on the psalm.

        As David wrote on the parchment, he probably remembered guiding the flock near a quiet stream nearby and lying in the grass with the flock while enjoying God’s creation. He probably remembered hearing the sheep cry out in fear as a bear or lion approached and him charging it with his rod or staff. He remembered bringing his sheep and lambs into his arms to comfort them when lightning and rain came.

        Prior to this psalm, God was seen as a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:17), thunder and lightning with cloud and smoke (Exodus 19:16), and a Rock (Numbers 20:10-13). What’s unique about this passage is the fact that God is portrayed as an intimate personal relationship. God was seen as mighty, powerful, omnipotent… GOD! David saw God as his Shepherd.

Facts about sheep:

1. Sheep are dumb

2. Sheep are incapable of self-reliance

3. Sheep are defenseless

4. Sheep require the guidance of a Shepherd.

4 Benefits of a Shepherd:

I.                 God’s Provision (v. 1, 3, 5)

A. Scripture:

                                                           i.      Isaiah 40:11 - He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

                                                        ii.      1 Peter 2:25 - For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

                                                     iii.      Ezekiel 34:11-31 = great description of God as the TRUE Shepherd

B.God know our needs before we do.

                                                           i.      Example: Loss of job, God providing

                                                        ii.      Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 

II.              God’s Peace (v. 2, 3, 4, 6)

A. Scripture:

                                                           i.      John 14:27 = “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you”

                                                        ii.      John 16:33 = “These things I have spoke unto you, that in me ye might have peace.”

B.What peace is God giving us?

                                                           i.      Peace from the penalty of sin

1. Romans 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

2. Justified = saved from the PENALTY of sin

                                                        ii.      Peace during tribulation

1. Romans 5:3 – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

                                                     iii.      Peace from worry

1. 1 Pet. 5:7 – “Casting all you care upon him; for He careth for you.”

2. Casting = throwing it away, not giving it

C.                       Goodness and Mercy – rest of my life (v. 6)

                                                           i.      Goodness – Cheerful or joy

1. Galatians 5:22-23

2. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

                                                        ii.      Mercy – Mercy is not getting what you deserve.

 

 

III.          God’s Presence (v. 4, 6)

A. Scripture

                                                           i.      Isiaah 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

                                                        ii.      Isaiah 43:2 – “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle.”

                                                     iii.      Hebrews 13:5-6 - ⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

B.God is always there

                                                           i.      Omnipresent – present in all places at all times

C.                       Even when we walk away from him, he is behind us waiting to turn around

                                                           i.      Because we are not looking at him, he seems so far away.

 

IV.         God’s Protection (v. 4, 6)

A. Scripture

                                                           i.      Ephesian 6:10-18

B.Sheep have no answer for danger. Typically, sheep flee (Example: Joseph. Genesis 39:12 - And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.)

C.                       Today, under Grace, God has provided us with an answer to danger.

                                                           i.      Defense

1. Belt of Truth

2. Greeves of the Gospel of Peace

3. Shield of Faith in God

4. Breastplate of God’s Righteousness

5. Helmet of Christ’s Salvation

                                                        ii.      Offense

1. Sword of Truth (God’s Word)

D.                       Notice that none of these are possible without God.

 

Application:

If we go to John 10:1-5,

-        Jesus says HE is the good shepherd:

-        John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

-        John 10 = The statement of the Shepherd

-        Psalm 23 = It was probably as popular as it is now.

-        The benefit of receiving all the care and tenderness from the Shepherd.

-        Jesus says that His sheep know His voice.

Sheep listen FOR the voice of their master to know where to go for food or rest, when to return to the shelter, where to go for comfort, where to run when scared, where to run when lost.

We’re nothing but SHEEPLE listening for a voice to follow. Whose voice are you listening to?

The world has a big BOOMING voice.

Elijah experienced the noise of the world in 1 Kings. 

1. Wind

2. Earthquake

3. Fire

4. Still small voice

God’s voice may be a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

How can we discern what is God’s voice and what is the world’s voice? By studying God Himself.

When we start studying the perfect example, it’s easy to know the fakes.

“Federal agents don’t learn to spot counterfeit money by studying the counterfeits. They study genuine bills until they master the look of the real thing. Then when they see the bogus money they recognize it.” - John MacArthur – Reckless Faith

We need to:

1. Be in His Word continually.

2. Be writing the Word of God on our hearts

3. Be in constant communication with Him

Challenge:

Evaluate the voice you’ve been listening to. Have you been paying attention to the news and social media? Or, have you been listening to God and what he has to say?