Finding Comfort in the Good Shepherd's Care

 

Summary

Psalm 23 is a profound source of encouragement and strength, especially in challenging times. Reflecting on the wisdom of Warren Wiersbe, who emphasized the importance of encouraging God's people, we find ourselves in a season where such encouragement is deeply needed. Many of us are weary, feeling the weight of prolonged challenges, and the joy and energy we once had seem diminished. In this context, Psalm 23 offers a refreshing reminder of God's unwavering care and provision.

The psalm begins with the declaration, "The Lord is my shepherd," a statement rich with meaning. It speaks of ownership and relationship, where the shepherd is wholly committed to the welfare of the sheep. This commitment is mirrored in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who leads, restores, protects, feeds, and loves His flock. The imagery of a shepherd is not sentimental but rooted in the reality of life's challenges, as exemplified by David's own experiences as a shepherd facing wild animals.

David's life was filled with pressures, enemies, and personal failures, yet he found solace in the Lord's shepherding. This psalm is for those under pressure, facing discouragement, or confronting enemies. It assures us that we are not alone; the Lord is with us, guiding and protecting us through every trial, even the valley of the shadow of death.

The quality of life for any flock depends on its shepherd. In the Old Testament, God criticized the shepherds of Israel for failing to care for His people. In response, God promised to be the shepherd Himself, a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As believers, we are both bought and born into God's flock, purchased by the precious blood of Christ and born again through the Holy Spirit.

This relationship with the Good Shepherd means we are never alone. We are wholly owned by Him, and in that ownership, we find our greatest joy and security. The Lord's care is comprehensive, providing for our needs, leading us in righteousness, and ensuring our eternal home with Him. The psalm invites us to trust in this divine shepherding, to find comfort in being wholly owned by the Son of God, and to rest in the assurance that we shall not want.

Key Takeaways:

- The Shepherd's Ownership: The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is one of ownership. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, owns His sheep, and this ownership assures us of His unwavering commitment to our welfare. In being wholly owned by Him, we find our greatest joy and security. [05:29]

- The Reality of Shepherding: David's experience as a shepherd was not sentimental but filled with real dangers and challenges. This reflects the reality of life, where we face pressures, enemies, and personal failures. Yet, like David, we can find solace in the Lord's shepherding, knowing He is with us through every trial. [09:06]

- God's Promise Fulfilled in Christ: In the Old Testament, God promised to be the shepherd of His people, a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As believers, we are both bought and born into God's flock, purchased by Christ's blood and born again through the Holy Spirit. This dual relationship assures us of His eternal care. [13:29]

- The Assurance of Provision: The declaration "I shall not want" is rooted in the assurance that the Lord, as our shepherd, will provide for all our needs. This provision is not just material but encompasses guidance, restoration, protection, and love, ensuring we lack nothing essential for our journey. [20:00]

- The Comfort of Eternal Security: The psalm assures us of our eternal security in the Lord. Even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, for the Lord is with us. His presence transforms even the darkest valleys into places of safety, and we are promised a glorious future in His eternal home. [23:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Psalm 23
- [01:38] - The Need for Encouragement
- [02:34] - The Richness of Psalm 23
- [03:18] - The Lord as Our Shepherd
- [04:27] - Understanding the Shepherd
- [05:09] - The Shepherd's Commitment
- [06:34] - David's Experience as a Shepherd
- [09:06] - The Reality of Life's Challenges
- [10:47] - The Lord's Shepherding in Our Lives
- [13:29] - God's Promise Fulfilled in Christ
- [15:23] - The Assurance of Provision
- [18:01] - Being Bought and Born into God's Flock
- [23:17] - The Comfort of Eternal Security
- [29:48] - The Tragedy of Being Without a Shepherd
- [33:07] - The Joy of Being Owned by the Son of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 23

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23
- John 10:11-15
- Ezekiel 34:11-16

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the phrase "The Lord is my shepherd" imply about the relationship between God and His people? [03:18]

2. How does David's experience as a shepherd inform his understanding of God's role as a shepherd? [07:19]

3. In Ezekiel 34, what were the failures of the shepherds of Israel, and how does God promise to address these failures? [12:01]

4. According to the sermon, what are the two ways sheep are added to a flock, and how does this relate to believers? [16:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the imagery of a shepherd in Psalm 23 challenge the notion of sentimentality, and what does it reveal about the realities of life? [09:06]

2. In what ways does Jesus fulfill God's promise to be the shepherd of His people, as mentioned in Ezekiel 34? [13:29]

3. What does it mean for believers to be both "bought" and "born" into God's flock, and how does this dual relationship assure them of God's care? [17:22]

4. How does the assurance "I shall not want" reflect the comprehensive care provided by the Good Shepherd? [20:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt weary or discouraged. How can the assurance of God's shepherding in Psalm 23 provide comfort and strength in such times? [02:20]

2. Consider the pressures and challenges you face in your life. How can you find solace in knowing that the Lord is your shepherd, guiding and protecting you? [09:55]

3. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of belonging to God's flock, recognizing that you are both bought and born into His care? [17:22]

4. How can you practically trust in God's provision, as expressed in "I shall not want," in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you struggle to rely on His care? [20:00]

5. Reflect on the concept of being "wholly owned" by the Son of God. How does this ownership impact your sense of identity and security? [15:59]

6. How can you emulate the Good Shepherd's qualities of leading, restoring, and protecting in your relationships with others? [37:18]

7. As you consider the eternal security promised in Psalm 23, how does this assurance influence your perspective on life's challenges and your future hope? [23:17]

Devotional

Day 1: The Shepherd's Ownership
The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is one of profound ownership and commitment. In Psalm 23, the declaration "The Lord is my shepherd" signifies a deep, personal relationship where the shepherd is wholly devoted to the welfare of the sheep. This is mirrored in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who owns His sheep and is unwavering in His commitment to their well-being. This ownership is not about control but about providing joy and security, ensuring that the sheep are cared for, protected, and loved. As believers, being wholly owned by Jesus means we are never alone, and in this ownership, we find our greatest joy and security. [05:29]

Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to fully embrace being owned by Jesus, allowing His joy and security to replace your fears and uncertainties?


Day 2: The Reality of Shepherding
David's experience as a shepherd was filled with real dangers and challenges, reflecting the reality of life where we face pressures, enemies, and personal failures. The imagery of the shepherd in Psalm 23 is not sentimental but rooted in the harsh realities of life. David, who faced wild animals and threats, found solace in the Lord's shepherding. This psalm is for those under pressure, facing discouragement, or confronting enemies. It assures us that we are not alone; the Lord is with us, guiding and protecting us through every trial, even the valley of the shadow of death. [09:06]

1 Samuel 17:34-35 (ESV): "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.'"

Reflection: What current challenge or pressure in your life can you entrust to the Lord, knowing He is your shepherd who guides and protects you?


Day 3: God's Promise Fulfilled in Christ
In the Old Testament, God criticized the shepherds of Israel for failing to care for His people and promised to be the shepherd Himself. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the Good Shepherd. As believers, we are both bought and born into God's flock, purchased by the precious blood of Christ and born again through the Holy Spirit. This dual relationship assures us of His eternal care and commitment to our well-being. We are not just followers; we are cherished members of His flock, with a shepherd who knows us by name and leads us with love and care. [13:29]

John 10:14-15 (ESV): "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Reflection: How does knowing you are both bought and born into God's flock change the way you view your relationship with Jesus today?


Day 4: The Assurance of Provision
The declaration "I shall not want" in Psalm 23 is rooted in the assurance that the Lord, as our shepherd, will provide for all our needs. This provision is not just material but encompasses guidance, restoration, protection, and love, ensuring we lack nothing essential for our journey. The Lord's care is comprehensive, and His provision is a testament to His love and commitment to us. In trusting Him, we find peace and contentment, knowing that He will lead us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. [20:00]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one specific need you have today that you can trust God to provide, and how can you actively rest in His provision?


Day 5: The Comfort of Eternal Security
Psalm 23 assures us of our eternal security in the Lord. Even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, for the Lord is with us. His presence transforms even the darkest valleys into places of safety, and we are promised a glorious future in His eternal home. This eternal security is a source of comfort and hope, reminding us that our journey does not end in darkness but in the light of His eternal presence. We are invited to trust in this divine shepherding and rest in the assurance that we shall not want. [23:17]

2 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV): "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Reflection: How can the assurance of eternal security in Christ change the way you face your current fears or uncertainties?

Quotes



The quality of life enjoyed by any flock of sheep is going to depend entirely on who their shepherd is. In the Old Testament, God appointed prophets and priests and kings to shepherd His people. Their calling was to feed the sheep, their calling was to seek the sheep and to guard the sheep. [00:11:07]

God says the weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. Do you see that the quality of life enjoyed by any flock of sheep depends entirely on their shepherd? [00:12:04]

God Himself looked on the lostness of these sheep. He looked on them with compassion, and He said, I myself will become their shepherd. I will search for my sheep and will seek them out. I will seek the lost, I will bring back the strayed, I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak. [00:13:13]

The Lord taking direct responsibility for His own people, being hands-on in our lives. You see what a wonderful thing it is to be able to say, the Lord is my shepherd, that He's committed to my care, that I am His forever, that He's the one who makes me rest in green pastures. [00:14:40]

Every Christian has been bought into God's flock, every Christian has been born into God's flock. The apostle Paul says in the New Testament, you are not your own because you were bought with a price. And then Peter says you were ransomed, which simply means bought, purchased. [00:17:10]

The Lord Jesus Christ chose to purchase you, and the price He paid was the laying down of His own life. You're not your own, you were bought with a price. The Lord is now your shepherd, and that is why you will not want. What you need will be given to you because the shepherd has made you His own. [00:19:29]

The Holy Spirit moved over your dead soul, just like He moved over the dark dead waters back in the creation, and He brought you to life. He awakened you to your need of a Savior. He opened your eyes to see the glory of Christ. People you know and love don't see what you see in Jesus. [00:21:20]

The Lord is my shepherd, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides still waters, He restores my soul, and He leads me in righteous paths. And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because He is with me. [00:23:36]

The relationship between a shepherd and sheep is first and foremost one of ownership. The shepherd owns the flock, the shepherd bought them, the shepherd birthed them. That is why the shepherd is committed to them. They're His, He owns them, and you see this wonderfully in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:27:51]

For sheep to be without a shepherd would be disastrous, but you know for sinners like us, it would be worse. See, the worst thing that can happen to sheep without a shepherd is that they die. That's inevitably what's going to happen if they don't have a shepherd. [00:31:48]

David is not alone. He says the Lord is my shepherd, my shepherd owns me. His goodness, His mercy is going to follow me all the days of my life, and when I die, I will not go into outer darkness. My shepherd will welcome me home, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. [00:32:54]

Do you see today what a wonderful thing it is to be able to say the Lord is my shepherd, to know that you are His in life and death and forever, to know that you have been bought, that you have been born into His flock, to know that because He owns you, He will lead you, He will restore you. [00:33:18]

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