SERMON BY: OKPAN CLEOPAS (MINISTER)
TOPIC: THE LORD, OUR SHEPHERD (PSALM 23)
INTRODUCTION
The twenty-third Psalm is a very popular passage of scripture and a great source of comfort to God’s people. Though short and simple to memorize, yet it carries within it a very deep meaning that has remained relevant and encouraging throughout successive generations. For us to appreciate the import of the message of this Psalm in relation to the loving and caring work of our Good Shepherd, we will divide it into three parts: Part one, Every Deficiency taken care of (verses 1-3); Part two, Every Fear Eliminated (verse 4); Part three, Every Good Desire Satisfied (verses 5-6).
Every Deficiency Taken Care of (verses 1-3).
Deficiency is the state of lacking something that is seriously needed. The Lord is my Shepherd. It takes the love and care of the Good Shepherd to make those things available for the good of the sheep. Here, Jehovah is the figure of the Shepherd, who loves, cares, protects, and provides for His people, who in turn are expected to hear His voice, trust Him, obey Him, and follow Him (Luke 15:4-6; John 10;11; John 10:3-4).
I shall not want. The presence and intervention of the Lord in our situation will lovingly provide what is deficient in our lives, thus making us to lack nothing (Psalm 34:9-10; Psalm 84:11; Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19). In verse 2, we have our needs supplied, such as: Rest, Food, Drink, and the Shepherd’s leading. According to the Psalmist, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” Every child of God will enjoy both a passive rest of being in Christ, and an active rest in serving the Lord all the days of our lives (Luke 1:74- 75; Matthew 11:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15: 58). Jehovah leads His sheep right beside “the still waters” (John 4:14 and John 7:37-39). Jehovah leads, not drives, His sheep. He leads His own people through the following places: The waters of rest; The paths of righteousness; Through darkness, sorrow, and testing; and into His own house forever. He restores my soul. In the process, Jehovah gets our souls restored or revived.
Every Fear Eliminated (verse 4).
Having been made “to lie down in green pastures,” and been led “in paths of righteousness,” the Lord’s sheep is now taken into new experiences, described as the “valley of the shadow of death.” The phrase “shadow of death” is an expression of terrible suffering. Beyond the experience of literal death, the Psalmist also has in mind every form of suffering which challenges our faith in the Lord.
Jehovah’s sheep have no fears, even in this dark valley of death. “I will fear no evil.” An indisputable trust in God eliminates all forms of fear (Isaiah 12:2 26:3; Psalm 3:5-6; Psalm 27:-13; Psalm 46:1-3; 118:6; Isaiah 41:10,13; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 8:28,31-32, 34). The reason for this fearless posture, according to the Psalmist, is because “for You are with me.” Jehovah, our Shepherd, is with us! Despite the many dangers out there, we must have no fear because “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world“ (1 John 4: 4), and because He has promised to be with us always (Isaiah 41: 10; 43:1, 2; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:5). Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. With His rod of correction He will comfort us, and with His staff He will lead us and ward off the enemy.
Every Good Desire Satisfied (verses 5-6).
Jehovah, the Good Shepherd, also knows how to accommodate His very own and bountifully satisfy their longings. The Psalmist says: “You prepare a table before me.” The Lord does not only supply the best things on a table (Psalm 63:5; 81:16), but also all our needs (Philippians 4: 19). In addition to these, He has given us His Word for us to feed upon (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 19:10). The interesting thing is that the feasting is done “In the presence of mine enemies” (John 15:19; 2 Timothy 3:12), so that the wicked may know that we have a God who cares for His people.
“You anoint my head with oil;” the oil of gladness (Hebrews 1:9), which is the Holy Spirit (1 John 2: 20). The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives helps to strengthen our relationship with God and position us for great exploits that benefit us (Daniel 11: 32). Then, “My cup runs over” (John 7:37-39). God’s provision for His people is unlimited; He is able to supply all our needs (Philippians 4: 19). And, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.” But, for how long? It is “All the days of my life.” Jehovah is rich in mercy towards us (Ephesians 2: 4), and His goodness towards us is great (Psalm 31: 19). And as the Lord continually satisfies our longings with His goodness, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The Lord, our perfect Shepherd, has promised to guide and protect us throughout our lives. In the end, we will dwell with Him forever (Matthew 28: 20; John 14: 1-3).
CONCLUSION
The sheep are completely dependent on the Shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10: 11), and the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13: 20; 1 Peter 5: 4). As the Lord is the good Shepherd who is wise enough to lead us in the right places and ways, so we are His Sheep – His obedient followers. We can only have contentment when we allow Him to guide us. Only the Lord can walk with us through death’s valley and still successfully bring us to our perfect rest.