The Lord is My Shepherd

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The Lord is My Shepherd

• Psalm 23

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Introduction

• One of the best known Psalms
• Life of a sheep with a shepherd compared to life
  of a believer with God

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The Lord is my shepherd

• That makes us sheep, not junior shepherds
• The shepherds duties are explained in the rest
  of the psalm
• But the sheeps duty is to follow the shepherd
• Before that happens, the sheep have to know their
  shepherd
• Sheep recognize the voice (authority) of the
  shepherd
• There is no room for divided loyalties

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I shall not want

• A declaration of complete trust
• The sheep has complete confidence in the shepherd
• The sheep wont be second guessing the shepherd
  as to what is best
• The shepherd is responsible for the needs of the
  sheep
• Its a huge responsibility, but our Lord is up to
  the task
• We will have no spiritual needs unmet

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He makes me to lie down in green pastures

• Sheep cant find pasturage on their own
• Sheep wont change pasturage on their own
• Sheep can starve to death within a short distance
  from a green field
• But we know our shepherd will always take us to
  the best fields
• We will have all the spiritual food needed for a
  lifetime

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He leads me beside the still waters

• Sheep dont swim
• Sheep cant right themselves if turned over in
  water
• Sheep prefer safe, calm waters
• Our Lord wont let us get in over our heads
• If we follow Him, Hell guide us in the ways that
  are best for us

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He restores my soul

• The shepherd wont let one of his sheep disappear
• If lost, hell find us
• If taken, hell come after us
• God wont let His children just disappear
• He wants all to be saved
• He sent His Son to give us a way back

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He leads me in the paths of righteousness for
His names sake

• The shepherd knows which paths are best
• If he chooses the wrong path, it would be a mark
  against him personally
• The shepherd leads in front
• God knows which way we should go in life
• If He led us wrong, it would be a mark against
  His holiness
• We can safely follow His lead without worry about
  going wrong

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death,         I will fear no evil

• Sheep follow their shepherd anywhere
• We can trust the Lord
• Even when danger is all around
• Even when death seems imminent
• Why?
• The rest of the verse

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For You are with me Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me

• The shepherd complete faith and trust in the
  one who guides
• Rod a weapon, about 3 long
• Used to fight off wild animals
• Staff about 8 10 long
• Used to test waters, guide sheep around dangerous
  areas, etc
• Crook used to lift fallen sheep from crevices, etc

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For You are with me Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me

• If we face dangers from outside
• God is there to protect us
• If we stumble and fall
• God is there to lift us up
• Our shepherd is with us, there is nothing to fear
• His strength and compassion both should give us
  comfort

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You prepare a table before me in the presence of
my enemies

• Sheep dont know to avoid poisonous plants,
  brambles, etc
• The shepherd has to go first and prepare the
  table
• We dont always know what is right for us
• If we follow our Lord, we know there wont be
  danger
• Danger comes when we go it alone

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You anoint my head with oil

• Shepherd would pour oil on each sheeps head
• Oil acts as antiseptic for cuts, scrapes
• Oil cools head, preventing sunstroke
• Our Lord cares about even our minor struggles
• He provides the healing

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My cup runs over

• Before enclosing the sheep for the night
• Shepherd will give each sheep a full cup of water
• When we are weary, He revives us
• His care for us is unceasing

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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me         All the days of my life
         And I will dwell in the house of the
LORD forever

• Why would a sheep ever want to leave such
  wonderful care?
• They wouldnt
• Why would we ever want to leave such a wonderful
  and caring Lord?
• Perhaps we arent as smart as sheep

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Conclusion

• We have a wonderful Shepherd
• He wants what is best for you
• He has provided a way to save you
• He will always care for you
• Wont you come to Him?

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