Psalm 23 – Our Shepherd Guide
Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
John 10:14 (NLT)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
Hebrews 13:20 (NIV)
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
1 Peter 5:4 (NLT)
And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.
Philip. 4:19 (NLT)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
The Characteristics of Who We Are as Sheep:
1. Sheep have no sense of direction—they are clueless.
2. Sheep are essentially defenseless
3. Sheep cannot find food or water even when it is near them.
4. Sheep are easily frightened
5. Sheep are unclean animals
Sometimes, Jesus forces us to lie down in green pastures
Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
"Be still, and know that I am God;
Sheep have one major problem—wandering.
Isaiah 53:6 (NLT)
All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
Proverbs 16:25 (NLT)
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
The Shepherd provides protection for my life.
Why God Take Us Through the Difficulties of Valleys:
1. A Good Shepherd knows that valleys are the gentlest grade up a mountain.
2. Valleys provide refreshing water all the way up the mountain.
3. Valleys represent the greatest time of danger to the sheep.
4. Valleys are temporary.
5. It is mostly in the valley when the Shepherd spends most time alone with His sheep as they receive personal care, day and night.
John 7:37-39 (NLT)
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you are thirsty, come to me! [38] If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within." [39] (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)