Strength, Purpose, and Joy in the Good Shepherd

 

Summary

Psalm 23 offers profound insights into the blessings of being wholly owned by the Son of God. When the Lord is your Shepherd, you are led into rest and righteousness, restored when you wander, and guarded even in the darkest valleys. Today, we explore the fourth blessing: the Good Shepherd sustains us. This sustenance is illustrated through three tangible elements: a table, oil, and a cup, each symbolizing how God provides strength, purpose, and joy.

The table represents strength. David paints a picture of a sumptuous meal prepared by God Himself, even in the presence of enemies. This is not a one-time event but a continuous provision. God strengthens us as a meal strengthens the body, offering sustenance amid life's battles. David's life was fraught with challenges, yet he was sustained by God's provision. Similarly, God promises to renew our strength, enabling us to persevere through our own trials.

The oil signifies purpose. In the Old Testament, oil was used to anoint individuals for specific tasks. David recalls his own anointing, which marked his calling as king. This anointing is now extended to all believers through the Holy Spirit, giving each of us a divine purpose. Understanding and pursuing this purpose is crucial for spiritual vitality. Without it, we risk becoming weary and disheartened. God has prepared good works for us, and in fulfilling them, we find renewed energy and direction.

The cup symbolizes joy. Contrary to a downbeat version of Christianity that promises joy only in the afterlife, David declares that his cup overflows even amidst present troubles. Jesus promised His joy to be in us, making our joy complete. This abundant joy is not rationed but overflows from God's grace. The cup of blessing we receive is filled with love, mercy, and peace, a stark contrast to the cup of wrath Jesus drank on our behalf.

These blessings are available to us through Jesus Christ, who embodies the table, the anointing, and the cup. He is our strength, our purpose, and our joy. By believing in Him, we partake in these blessings. For those yet to believe, the invitation is open: hear His voice and follow Him. The Good Shepherd offers a life of strength, purpose, and joy, a life where you can truly say, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Key Takeaways:

- Strength in the Presence of Enemies: God prepares a table before us, symbolizing His provision of strength even amidst adversities. This continuous sustenance empowers us to face life's challenges with renewed vigor. [05:43]

- Purpose through Anointing: The anointing with oil signifies a divine calling and purpose. Just as David was anointed to be king, believers are anointed by the Holy Spirit for specific works, providing direction and meaning to our lives. [11:42]

- Overflowing Joy: The cup represents the overflowing joy that God provides, even in the midst of trials. This joy is not reserved for the afterlife but is a present reality for those who trust in Christ. [15:00]

- Christ as Our Sustenance: Jesus is the embodiment of the table, the anointing, and the cup. He offers Himself as our strength, purpose, and joy, inviting us to partake in His abundant life through faith. [23:30]

- Invitation to Follow the Shepherd: For those who have not yet believed, the Good Shepherd calls you to hear His voice and follow Him. In doing so, you will find the strength, purpose, and joy that only He can provide. [37:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Psalm 23
- [01:13] - The Good Shepherd Sustains
- [02:21] - The Table: Strength in Adversity
- [05:08] - Continuous Provision
- [06:00] - David's Life of Challenges
- [08:18] - The Oil: Purpose and Calling
- [10:49] - Anointing in the Old Testament
- [12:55] - The Cup: Overflowing Joy
- [15:22] - Joy in the Present
- [17:06] - God's Abundant Grace
- [20:07] - Christ as Our Sustenance
- [23:30] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
- [26:14] - Anointed for Burial
- [29:05] - The Cup of Wrath and Blessing
- [37:35] - Invitation to Follow the Shepherd

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 23

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23:5-6
- Ephesians 2:10
- John 15:11

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three tangible elements mentioned in Psalm 23:5, and what do they symbolize in the sermon? [02:21]

2. How does the sermon describe the way God prepares a table before us, and what does this signify about His provision? [05:08]

3. In what way does the sermon explain the significance of oil in the context of David's life and our spiritual calling? [10:49]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the overflowing nature of the cup, and what does this reveal about God's blessings? [15:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of God preparing a table in the presence of enemies challenge or encourage one's understanding of God's provision during difficult times? [06:00]

2. What does the anointing with oil teach about the purpose and calling God has for each believer, and how might this impact one's daily life? [11:42]

3. How does the sermon contrast the idea of joy in the present life with a more traditional view of joy only in the afterlife? What implications does this have for a believer's outlook on life? [15:22]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus embodies the table, the anointing, and the cup, and how does this understanding deepen one's relationship with Him? [23:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt sustained by God's strength during a challenging period. How did this experience shape your faith, and how can you seek His strength in current struggles? [07:55]

2. Consider your current sense of purpose. How does understanding your divine calling through the Holy Spirit influence your daily decisions and long-term goals? [12:15]

3. Identify a situation where you have experienced joy despite difficulties. How can you cultivate this overflowing joy in your life, and what steps can you take to share it with others? [15:00]

4. How can you actively partake in the blessings of strength, purpose, and joy that Jesus offers? What practical steps can you take to deepen your faith and reliance on Him? [23:30]

5. If you have not yet fully embraced the Good Shepherd's invitation, what is holding you back? How can you take a step towards hearing His voice and following Him today? [37:35]

6. Reflect on the areas of your life where you feel self-directed rather than led by the Good Shepherd. What changes can you make to submit more fully to His guidance? [37:58]

7. Think of someone in your life who might benefit from the message of Psalm 23. How can you share the hope and blessings of the Good Shepherd with them this week? [38:36]

Devotional

Day 1: Strength in Adversity
When God is your Shepherd, He prepares a table before you, symbolizing His provision of strength even amidst adversities. This is not a one-time event but a continuous sustenance that empowers you to face life's challenges with renewed vigor. David's life was filled with trials, yet he was sustained by God's provision. Similarly, God promises to renew your strength, enabling you to persevere through your own trials. This divine strength is like a meal that nourishes the body, offering sustenance amid life's battles. [05:43]

Psalm 18:32-34 (ESV): "The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on God's strength to sustain you through this adversity today?


Day 2: Divine Purpose through Anointing
The anointing with oil signifies a divine calling and purpose. Just as David was anointed to be king, believers are anointed by the Holy Spirit for specific works, providing direction and meaning to their lives. This anointing is a reminder that God has prepared good works for you, and in fulfilling them, you find renewed energy and direction. Understanding and pursuing this purpose is crucial for spiritual vitality, as it prevents weariness and disheartenment. [11:42]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What specific calling or purpose do you feel God has anointed you for? How can you actively pursue this purpose in your daily life?


Day 3: Overflowing Joy in Trials
The cup represents the overflowing joy that God provides, even in the midst of trials. This joy is not reserved for the afterlife but is a present reality for those who trust in Christ. David declares that his cup overflows even amidst present troubles, and Jesus promised His joy to be in us, making our joy complete. This abundant joy is not rationed but overflows from God's grace, filled with love, mercy, and peace. [15:00]

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV): "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to find joy? How can you invite God's overflowing joy into these areas today?


Day 4: Christ as Our Sustenance
Jesus is the embodiment of the table, the anointing, and the cup. He offers Himself as our strength, purpose, and joy, inviting us to partake in His abundant life through faith. By believing in Him, you partake in these blessings, experiencing a life of strength, purpose, and joy. This sustenance is available to all who hear His voice and follow Him, as He is the Good Shepherd who provides for His flock. [23:30]

John 6:35 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace Jesus as your source of strength, purpose, and joy in your daily walk with Him?


Day 5: Invitation to Follow the Shepherd
For those who have not yet believed, the Good Shepherd calls you to hear His voice and follow Him. In doing so, you will find the strength, purpose, and joy that only He can provide. This invitation is open to all, offering a life where you can truly say, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." The Good Shepherd offers a life of abundance, where His followers are led into rest and righteousness, restored when they wander, and guarded even in the darkest valleys. [37:35]

Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

Reflection: If you have not yet followed the Good Shepherd, what is holding you back? How can you take a step towards following Him today?

Quotes


Now notice too that this is present tense this is not something that God did for David a long time ago it's not even something that God does for David once in a while it is what God always does for all of his people you prepare a table before me now do you see that God uses this picture to tell you that he will sustain you by giving you strength as your body is strengthened by a good meal so you will be sustained as the Lord himself feeds you. [00:05:19]

David's life was an unrelenting battle remember in his early years he was a shepherd and he was looked down on and even despised by his older brothers then he lived as a fugitive hunted for years by King Saul when he became king what he inherited was a deeply divided Kingdom where rival tribes were tribes were filled with seething resentments alienated by deep deep divisions and then as You Follow the story of the life of David into his later years this man suffered as his family was literally torn apart by cycles of abuse and violence and death. [00:06:11]

David kept going because God renewed his strength even in the presence of his enemies and what God did for David God himself will do for you God gives strength to his people he will sustain you in a world of trouble you prepare before me a table in the presence of my enemies now that's the table let's think secondly about about the oil here we are learning that God sustains his people by giving us purpose. [00:07:43]

Now if the table speaks to us of renewed strength then the oil certainly speaks to us of renewed purpose there's a very beautiful description in the Psalms of what it looked like when Aon was anointed as the high priest it's in Psalm 133 where we read how good and pleasant it is where Brothers dwell together in unity it is like the precious oil on the head running down on the beard on the beard of Aaron running down on the collar of his robes. [00:08:49]

A sense of purpose sustained David you anoint me with oil I've got work to do there's a calling of God upon my life I've been commissioned I've been anointed and I'm saying from this that if you lose sight of why you are here and what it is that God has called you to do his purpose for your life if you lose sight of that well you'll soon be tired and you'll soon be jaded and you'll soon be drained and you'll soon be very flat. [00:11:36]

Now there is is a downbeat version of Christianity and some of you may have been familiar with this from your own past experience it goes something like this in this world you're going to be surrounded by enemies and somehow you're going to have to get through it it's not going to be easy you have to endure you have to stick it out you have to put up with it but if you do you will be blessed in the end when your life in this miserable world is over well then you will go to heaven and then you will have joy. [00:13:19]

But I want you to notice that that is not what David is saying here in fact what he says is nothing close to that now here's a man who knew plenty of trouble in his life and yet he is able to say my cup overflows right here in this Fallen World with all that I suffer with all that I face with all of the burdens that are upon my shoulders even now while my enemies are present even here in the dark Valley David is able to say my cup overflows. [00:14:24]

God's blessings to his people are never rationed from the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing on top of another his grace just keeps coming as David puts it it overflows see that's why when the prophet Isaiah describes God's forgiveness it's not enough for him simply to say that he will pardon Isaiah says God will abundantly pardon come to him because he will abundantly pardon when the psalmist speaks about how God brings good out of the worst situations. [00:16:50]

Jesus drank the cup of God's Wrath so that you should drink the cup of God's blessing try and take in this picture I've adapted it from an old Scottish Pastor god holds a cup in his hand the cup is full and your name is written on it he hands it down to you and you shrink back because you know what is in that cup the white of God's Wrath poured full strength into the cup of his anger but before the cup reaches your hand the Good Shepherd who is beside you reaches up his hand and he takes it. [00:29:47]

The Good Shepherd drinks that cup the wine of God's Wrath poured full strength into the cup of his anger the Good Shepherd drinks it and he drinks all of it until that awful cup is empty and then he takes that cup with your name on it and fills it he fills it until it is running over what's in the cup now love Mercy Grace peace with God everlasting life filled to the brim in this cup with your name on it and now he offers this cup to you. [00:31:11]

Jesus says my sheep here my my voice they know that I'm speaking to them I'm calling them and when you know that the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking to you and that he is calling you there is only one way to respond and that is to follow him my sheep hear my voice and they follow me give up being self-owned and self directed submit yourself and the whole of your life to the Good Shepherd he will lead you he will restore you he will guard you and he will sustain you. [00:37:25]

I'm inviting you today to pursue a new life in which you follow the Good Shepherd it's the greatest life you can know in this world give yourself to the Good Shepherd believe in him trust him obey him and follow him and when you can say the Lord is my shepherd then you will be able to say with all of the flock of God you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies you anoint my head with oil and my cup overflows. [00:38:29]

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Transcript
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