The Faithful Shepherd
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Message Notes
1. Rest is not a reward we earn because we are exhausted. It is a gift we receive as we learn to trust the Shepherd and to rest in His presence.
2. The Shepherd restores us not simply to return us to the same pace of life, but to lead us in His ways.
3. Faith is not pretending that darkness does not exist; faith is trusting that darkness does not have the final word.
4. The valley is only a part of the journey. It is not the end of the story. The enemy does not have the final word. The grave does not have the final victory. Jesus has that victory.
5. In the pastures, God teaches us to rest. In the valley, He teaches us to trust. At the table, He reminds us that opposition cannot stop His purpose.
2. The Shepherd restores us not simply to return us to the same pace of life, but to lead us in His ways.
3. Faith is not pretending that darkness does not exist; faith is trusting that darkness does not have the final word.
4. The valley is only a part of the journey. It is not the end of the story. The enemy does not have the final word. The grave does not have the final victory. Jesus has that victory.
5. In the pastures, God teaches us to rest. In the valley, He teaches us to trust. At the table, He reminds us that opposition cannot stop His purpose.