Preacher: Jeremy Herbert
Text: Psalm 23
Theme: The Great Shepherd
Notes:
God called David, a shepherd, to reflect the Great Shepherd, and shepherd God’s people
We often remember David’s great victories: defeating Goliath, conquering the Philistines, capturing Jerusalem
Yet David had many great tragedies
- He spent years on the run as his king tried to murder him
- three of his sons died–all under tragic circumstances
Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd”
- God’s Exaltation
- The LORD: there is a God, and He is the Creator of the universe
- My shepherd: This God is my shepherd
- He watches over me
- He meets my needs
- Not necessarily our wants
- “I shall not want”, meaning, “I shall not lack”
- Not necessarily our wants
- Will this God be there for you in your worst moments?
- Will he sustain you through pain and loss?
- This psalm affirms that this God that provided for David will provide for you
- Would it help to worry?
- Matthew 6:25-34
2. David’s Expectation
- Because of who God is (past & present), He will provide for me (future)
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;” - “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
- The shepherd is armed with the tools to defend the sheep against enemies without–and to save us from our own foolishness as well
- The psalm marks God’s many provisions:
- You prepare a table before me
- You anoint my head with oil;
- David’s expectation is rooted in relationship with God
- “You are with me;”
- God’s goodness and mercy are absolutely unfailing–regardless of whether we deserve it (we don’t)
- God not only is good and merciful–but he delights to do so
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
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