Text: Psalm 23
This is Personal
- “The Lord is my shepherd” – we each have an individual responsibility to follow & please Him
- We should guard against being the one sheep who wanders off and is lost (Matthew 18:12-14)
- We must follow the Lord – not another shepherd, the other sheep, or our own way
The Shepherd’s Job
- Care for the sheep
- Guide the sheep
- Protect the sheep
The Lord is More Than Capable of Performing the Shepherd’s Job
- The Lord cares for His sheep – provides for our needs (v. 1-2); restores our souls (v. 3); anoints our heads with oil, causes our cups to overflow (v. 5)
- The Lord guides His sheep – in the paths of righteousness (v. 3); as He guides, we must follow (John 10:27)
- The Lord protects His sheep – we have no reason to fear, despite being surrounded by death & our enemies (v. 4-5); He will not fail (John 10:28-29)
The Result of Having the Lord as Our Shepherd
- Guaranteed blessings (v. 6) – not physical blessings, but spiritual; nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39)
- Salvation – we will “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (v. 6)
