Psalm 23
Introduction
Do you ever find life hard?
Example of friend
Example of tweet
Human beings have not been designed for modern living
Examples of Covid and the Ukraine war
Example of the life of 21st century Christians and persecuted Christians
If you don’t believe in God – where is your source of help in hardship?
People can turn to the things of the world – but they are short-term
The Christian has the Person in Psalm 23
Psalm 23 – familiar words
A psalm of confidence and comforting images – examples
We should have confidence in the person
The Shepherd
The Host
The Shepherd
In Wales, we have 10 million sheep
The ancient shepherd is different to the modern shepherd
Yet they totally depend on their shepherd for food, water and protection
People in ancient times often talked about kings and shepherds – ruling justly and wisely
David saw God as his own King and Shepherd
The qualities of this Shepherd
God transcends the whole universe – but He has dealings with David on an individual level
The Lord – Yahweh (Ex 34:6)
The Lord is my Shepherd – v1
He cares not just for the collective but for the individual
Therefore, David will not be in want – he has everything that he will need
There is a completeness of God’s provision to David – food, water, rest
He restores my soul – v3
Not just physical but spiritual rest
He directs his paths – v3b
Ex 3:12
God’s care is not limited just to the good times but in dark times too – v4
God is with David every step of the way
The rod and staff provides divine protection/guidance and discipline – this is a comfort to David
Those in the Old Testament believed even though they had little ‘light’
What about us with the ‘light’ we have as New Testament believers
John 10:11, 14-16
Is Jesus your Shepherd?
Do you believe He laid down His life for you?
Do you know Him and follow His voice?
If so – then Psalm 23 is for you
Jesus has come to bring ‘life to the full’ – John 10:10
Jesus is all we will ever need
Phil 4:11-12
Isa 40:11 – He is the mighty warrior King who knows exactly how to deal with His sheep
Do you really love Jesus – is He more than life to you?
We are never alone with Jesus
Hold onto Him for He is holding onto you
The Host
We see the rich image of being at a banqueting tablet (v5-6)
David’s experience – he was ‘having the time of his life’ with the Lord
What is our experience of God?
There is intimacy between David and God
He is an honoured guest – he is anointed with oil
It is a victorious banquet
It is a lavish banquet – his cup runs over
Ps 16:5
This is not an isolated event – God’s blessings will follow him for all his days (v6)
Goodness and mercy will ‘pursue’ David all his life
He will dwell with God forever
His confidence runs into eternal life
The Old Testament believers only saw these things from a difference
We see things greatly multiplied this side of Calvary
Example of the Passover
We can step directly into the presence of God
We have 3 vanquished foes: death, sin and hell – explanation
The Christian’s cup overflows – have we normalised our blessings?
Do we ever really think about our salvation in Christ – and bowl us over?
It is all of Jesus
His love pursues us to the end
We are adopted into His family
1 Cor 13:12
Closing Remarks
This Psalm is for the Christian only
If you are not a Christian – do you want Him to be your Shepherd?
Do you want His blessings and protection?
Do you want to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?
You can have it all