Introduction

Psalms 23 could be called one of the most wonderful praiseful hymns which David ever wrote. He was a Shepherd by profession. He extensively cared for his flock. He was aware of the needs of his Sheep.

In this passage David calls Jesus his Shepherd and himself a sheep. David expresses the deep inner emotions of his heart, unto creator of the earth, who dwells in heaven. He describes the qualities of Jesus the good shepherd.

So in today’s message I want to appeal to you to follow Jesus the good shepherd.

But why should you follow Jesus the good shepherd? Let me show 7 reasons.

Related Bible verses: Psalms 23 (main portion), John 10:1, Philippians 4:11-13

1.    For you shall not be in need v. 1

Probably David was ignored by his family as he was the youngest. He had to wait in the wilderness away from home and look after his father’s flock. He experienced the dull nature of human life. He had no one to talk to as he was surrounded only by the innocent yet dumb animals. He had many needs, only the Lord could provide.

We should trust in the Lord for our daily needs. Remember, David does not say that the Lord provide what David wants, but rather what he needs. The best example I can give in regard to  provision is my intended wife Sheryl. I had left my father’s house 5 years ago by the time I joined the Assemblies of God Bible College as the IT Manager. I was in an apartment all alone. Every day in the middle of the night I was used to go to the balcony and pray unto Jesus while watching the stars in the sky.

I learned to tell Jesus how lonely I feel. And at that time I realized the time has come for me to find my life partner. And I shared my need before the Lord. I met Sheryl, the most wonderful human being I have ever met. Remember Jesus is your shepherd and he will not let you starve. But he will nurture you spiritually, emotionally and even physically. Therefore what we should do is to trust in his love and commitment to us (John 10:1, Philippians 4:11-13)

2.    For he makes you lie down v. 2

a.    He makes me lie down in green pastures

I have read this verse thousand times since the day I came to know the Lord, but it did not make any sense to me until recently. The Shepherds know  how important is it for the sheep, lie down and rest when necessary. One Sunday morning I was seated in the church so frustrated as I was betrayed by some one whom I was used to trust so much. I was full of sorrow, overflowing with anger and bitterness while the preacher was sharing from this passage. At this moment the Holy Spirit of spoke to my heart “My son, unless you lie down I cannot restore your broken soul”.

I started meditating on each and every word I heard the preacher speaking quoting from the passage. And gradually I felt the burden of my heart being lifted away. My dear Pastors, every day we reach out to someone who is in need of help. Each time we listen to a counselee we are drained out without our knowledge. Office workers experience stress at the end of every busy day. I want to ask you to lie down before Jesus and meditate upon his word which is called green pasture. And because of the presence and nearness of Jesus we can lie down in peace, free from all fear.

b.    For he leads you beside quiet waters

Sheep are an interesting group of animals. Animals like cows, oxen, goats have no problem in drinking from moving streams of water. But if a sheep does the same there is a danger that it could fall into the stream. therefore the shepherd has to draw water from the well and let his sheep to drink.

Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus is our good shepherd who leads us by still waters. He never let us to walk in to danger or compromise our principals in order to meet our needs. But he ensures that his obedient children receives the best.

3.    For he restores your soul v. 3

I did not know the exact meaning of this phrase until Rev. Greg Hubbard explained it to me one day. Some times a lamb or a Sheep can fall on it’s back. Once this happens to a sheep it cannot stand on it’s feet again unless the Shepherd comes and lift it up. Two things can happen if Shepherd ignores to lift the fallen sheep.

-    If it’s the summer time the Sheep could die due to the extreme heat
-    Vultures could come and consume the helpless animal
-    It becomes an easy and a vulnerable target for Wolves and wild Dogs

Therefore the Shepherd would keep a close eye on his flock. If his flock consists of thousands of Sheep and Lamb he would watch the sky to see if Vultures are gathering in the sky above a specific spot. If he notice such a thing he would immediately check to see which sheep is in trouble?

Isn’t it amazing? Does Lord care for us so much? The Bible says,

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49: 15-16)

My friend, he is on watch for you all the time, like a good Shepherd cares for his flock without giving rest to his eyes.

For he guides you v. 3b

If you set loose an Ox somewhere faraway from it’s home some how it finds it’s way back. If you do the same to a horse it comes back to the stable. But if you do that to a Sheep it gets lost in the wilderness and eventually walks in to the mouth of disaster (it becomes the pray of predator animals or falls into a slope and dies).

As corrupted human beings we have a tendency to make fatal mistakes. It could be a wrong business decision, choosing the wrong life partner etc. But the Lord through his Holy Spirit guides us to do his will thus keeping us from harm.

4.    For he is with you v. 4

David had a full understanding of fear, death and the danger hidden behind the shadows in the wilderness. He had to protect his sheep from ruthless wild animals like Lions (who hunts during darkness), Bears and Wolves. Besides as a young boy left alone in the wilderness he must have had times of spiritual severe temptations. But he was not scared even a little bit, for the Lord was with him wherever he went. In the book of 1 Samuel we see David speaking of God’s protection confidently (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

I assure you my dear reader, in times of danger, difficulty and even death, I fear no evil? Why? For Jesus is with me. Let me share two other stories from my own life.

It was in year 2007. I ignorantly attempted to get onboard to a bus passing by. I fell and the bus’s back wheel went over my knee. I had no hopes for my right leg. Despite the severe pain I felt, I imagined myself limited to a wheel chair. The miracle, the X-Rays and other tests revealed that my right leg is perfectly fine.

Again in year 2003 I met with a Motor Bike accident. I was young and fast. I hit the motor bike against a concrete wall when I accelerated foolishly. The result was unbelievable. The Motor Bike was in two pieces. Those who saw the bike could ask only one question? What happen to the guy who rode this? But for me there was nothing except a couple of bruises.  Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus protects us even when we have to taste the deadly consequences of our own foolishness.

5.    For his rod and the staff comforts you v. 4b

Those days every Shepherd had two essential things in his hand. They were,

-    A short club (a weapon to defense and discipline sheep)
-    A staff (a long slender stick with a hook on the end used to draw a sheep close to the shepherd guide it in the right way or rescue it from trouble)

David used the rod or the short club do protect himself and his Sheep from furious wild animals. So how did he do it. We find the answer from the blog americanadiangirl.

“I read Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 (Zondervan), where he discusses all the ways shepherds use the rod in caring for their flocks. Shepherds use the rod for guiding their sheep in the right direction and gently prodding them along, getting them back on track when they stray. They also use the rod to comfort, to warn the sheep, to fend off predators, to hook their sheep back to safety, to check for disease. The rod is not used to hit the sheep-if it were, they would run from it when the shepherd lifted it in an effort to protect them. It would be useless as a tool for guidance. The more I studied, the more it became obvious to me that using the rod meant using my authority over my children to protect, warn, comfort, guide, correct, and examine their hearts. And that authority didn’t have to come through a spanking.”

Now the staff with its top shaped like a hook was used to draw the Sheep back to the right track.  Sometimes Jesus has to discipline us, so that we wont head towards destruction when we forget him and enjoy life in our own way. And he does it with love and tenderness.

6.    For he prepares a table for you v. 5

-    I am not sure if David wrote this phrase while he was running away from king Saul or the other enemies by whom he was being chased. But let me explain you how this verse relates to us living in the 21st century.

We are confronted by Satan and surrounded by an ungodly society in every day of our life. But Jesus is there to provide my spiritual needs in the midst of the evil forces that attempt to destroy my life and soul (Romans 8:31-39). But still I am victorious for I am provided with sufficient grace to live and rejoice in Jesus’ presence (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

-    He anoints my head with oil: As I have indicated in a previous article also in the Old Testament pure olive oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, the divine comforter. I am blessed in my body, mind and spirit because of God’s comforter.

-    My cup overflows: This literally means “My cup is an abundant drink”. It refers to a shepherds cup, which was a large, hollowed-out stone that could hold forty or fifty gallons and from which the sheep drank. Let me assure you, Jesus will provide you abundantly physically, emotionally and spiritually if you walk with him in obedience. You will be full of life in every day that dawns upon you.

7.    For goodness and love will follow you v.6

-    David as a true shepherd knew how much he loves his flock. He cared for them. He protected them. He knew his flock has nothing to worry or fear about as long as they are under his shade. For they were being followed by a loving and a caring man.

Like so if we let Jesus to be our good shepherd we receive kindness, help, and self confidence in this life of pilgrimage.

-    For you can dwell in the house of the Lord forever

The book of Psalms is not a book written on Eschatology (the theology of end times). But king David is speaking about the eternal comfort those who walk with Jesus would enjoy. If we let Jesus to be our shepherd while we are still living on this earth, he will be our comforter in the world to come as well. If we follow a false Shepherd during our life on earth, or if follow someone else we will suffer in eternity.

Conclusion

All of us are Sheep in the sight of God. Jesus is our Shepherd. Jesus said the Sheep knows the voice of their Shepherd. Therefore let us keep our ears tuned to hear his voice. And we will find that Jesus is our good shepherd indeed, in each day of our life.

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