Summary
In Psalm 23, David gives us a glorious view of God from a sheep’s perspective. From this Psalm, we see how God’s people experience His never-failing faithfulness, care, deliverance, provision and protection because the LORD is “my Shepherd.” In whatever season of life we find ourselves in, we always have what we need and therefore can cultivate contentment and thankfulness (Romans 8:32). And though He doesn’t promise to protect us from difficulty, the LORD does protect and provide for us through it, and we can look to the cross of Jesus Christ to know God’s love for us in it (Romans 5:8). Finally, in light of the New Testament, the Christian’s confident confession, “the Lord is my Shepherd,” finds richer and deeper meaning in Christ, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep, knows His own, speaks to them, and keeps them through their hearing and following Him (John 10:11, John 14, 27).
Key Takeaways
- Learning from David
- As God’s people, we enjoy:
- Confident contentment in our Good Shepherd (Psalm 23 1-3)
- Confident security in our Good Shepherd (Psalm 4-6)
- Looking through David
- The believer’s confident confession, “the Lord is my Shepherd,” finds richer and deeper meaning later in Scripture. Passages like Ezekiel 34 and Zechariah 11-12 look forward to a day when a shepherd will come and do what the previous shepherds failed to do because of their sin. In fact, a future Davidic shepherd is so closely identified with God that we may ask, "will this shepherd be human (from the Davidic line) or divine?” The New Testament answers this question with a resounding, “Yes!” The One born in the line of David is the very Son of God, the Word who became flesh (John 1:14), the one John identifies as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
- What do you need? What you need, you can find in Christ.
Discussing and Applying the Sermon
- Can you confidently say with David, "the Lord is MY Shepherd?" How do these words bring comfort and confidence to you in this season of your life?
- If He is your Good Shepherd, where do you see His provision for all that you need?
- Are you being nourished by His Word? If you are, what are you learning? If not, seek Him through His Word and ask Him to nourish you today (start by rereading Psalm 23!).
- What protection do you need in your current difficulties? Are you doubting his care, love and ability to help you? Where can you look to find assurance of His love (reflect on Romans 5:1-11)?
- Where has God placed you to reflect and glorify Him?
- Where do you currently see His goodness and mercy chasing you down?
