Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Bible Study / Summer Psalms

Psalm 23 Part 2 07/01/01

Introduction: This morning we have shared in the Lord's Supper ...
    Which commemorates the perfect sacrifice made for imperfect people.
    Which remembers the perfect obedience of Christ to the Father for those whose obedience is marred by sin.
    Which offers perfect life found in Christ given free to less than perfect people.
    Which celebrates the perfect victory of Christ available to those who are beaten in every trial.
And which is a perfect example of the perfect worship God requires from His imperfect children.

     In Communion, together with the Lord and with each other, we get a glimpse of the perfection of eternal life in Heaven. The Believers ultimate destination.

     Psalm 23 is another glimpse into the perfection of God for it tells us that we can experience God's perfection in our, imperfect lives, now.

The Lord is my Shepherd - Perfect Salvation
I shall not want - Perfect Satisfaction
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - Perfect Rest
He leadeth me beside the still waters - Perfect Peace
He restoreth my soul - Perfect Restoration
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake  - Perfect Guidance
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil - Perfect Protection
For thou art with me - Perfect Companionship
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - Perfect Comfort
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - Perfect Provision
Thou anointest my head with oil - Perfect Consecration
My cup runneth over - Perfect Joy
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - Perfect Care
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever - Perfect Destiny
                                       Source unknown

     We can experience Gods touch of perfection, regardless of our circumstances, when we are in a covenant relationship with Him through Jesus His Son and when we walk in the power and presence of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Trans: Last week we saw that

I. The Lord is my Shepherd (vs 1a)
II. I shall not want (vs 1b)
    A. For Rest and Refreshment (vs 2)
    B. For Restoration and Righteousness (vs 3)

 Turn to Psalm 23:4 where David says that because the Lord is our shepherd we will not want...

    C. For Protection in Trouble (vs 4)
Read: Psalm 23:4
     This Psalm, especially this verse is often used to comfort those who are near death and that's good. But, death is not the context of this Passage.

'Valley of the shadow of death': is better translated valley of the dark or dangerous shadows.

     Remember, the theme of this Psalm is dependence on the Lord. In vs 4 it is dependence on the Lord when  going through difficult, even dangerous times.

ILL: The picture here is of a seasonal passage from the lowlands where the sheep spend the winter through the valley to the high pastures where they spend the summer. When the sun rotates in the sky there are many places it does not shine because of the high mountains blocking the valley floor and the path through to the high places. This would leave deep shadows where trouble could hide.Wild animals would hide in the shadows. Robbers, bent on killing the shepherd and stealing his sheep also lie in wait in the shadows. As they travel the dangerous trail from the lowlands to the  highlands, the shepherd protects his sheep with a rod and a staff. Two different items, both meant to bring comfort to the sheep. The rod is a club used to beat off attacking animals and robbers. The staff is used to pull sheep from a ditch or to hold them back from impending danger.

     Almost every word in this verse is a treasure to be minded, so let's dig for a few nuggets of gold.

First, notice that David says  'yea, though I' walk through the valley of the shadow of death. David didn't say, 'yea, if I' or 'yea should I', he said 'yea, though I'. Indicating that he does, regularly. And the same is true for you and I. We will go though the dark shadows of the valley, and there will be difficult times and they will be regular.

     But I want you to think about something. If the Lord is your shepherd and He is leading you through the dark shadows of the valley, then the valley of the shadows, of danger, is just as much God's right path for you as is the green grass and cool water He provides. Trust Him. David says 'Yea, though I walk'

Second: Something else I want you to take notice to. The shepherd is not in a hurry to take his sheep through the valley of shadows to a safe place. Isn't that interesting? Aren't we usually in a hurry to get through difficult times?  Is this saying that we ought to slow down a bit, when going through difficult times, so that we can see God at work, perhaps? Just a thought. You see, the reason we walk and not run is that the valley of shadows, of difficult circumstances is often where we develop character. Another reason is the valley of shadows is not our final destination.

Third: David says we go 'through the valley of the shadow of death'. God has a perfect destination awaiting us.
 None of us gets to go through life without often going through the valley of shadows. But we do not stay there. Valleys are passageways.

 We can walk through our problems.
 We can walk through our sorrows.
 We can walk through our pain.
 We can even walk through our screwups.

     Because we walk through them in the presence and with the help of Almighty God.

Fourth: When we go thorough this valley of shadows, the Psalmist says that we can fear no evil. Because we never have to worry about being separated from our shepherd. Why, It has been said that you are never safer than when you walking in the will of God. When you walk in His perfect presence, you walk in His perfect will and you are under His perfect protection.  God is with us. He is our shepherd, our guide and protector. And He carries a big stick.

Fifth: 'Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me'? This is saying that God is powerful enough to protect us when we are in the valley of shadows, of desperate times we can trust  and depend on Him.

Note: This is not saying that God will shield us from all harm but that He will protect us in the midst of it. God is sovereign to control and permit what will afflict us. And He promises not to give us more than we can handle. The rest He beats off with His big stick.

     As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we walk through to two destinations, the first of which is found in vs 5. And it is in this place that we will not want ...

 D. For Provision in the Wilderness (vs 5)
Read: Psalm 23:5

     Before taking his flock to the highlands, the shepherd checks each sheep  for any wounds they may have. If found, he rubs a mixture of olive oil, sulfur and spices on it to soothe the irritation. If the sheep's skin was dry, he would rub oil on it to make it smooth again. This was a tender moment between the sheep and the shepherd. It showed his personal care for the well being of each and every sheep under his charge.

    Then, a shepherd will often go and prepare a place in the highlands where he intends to take his sheep to pasture. He will remove all the hazards and drive away any predators.

     This is the verse that I see a bit differently than other commentators. I see this banquet table as a destination, a respite, a sanctuary away from the valley of shadows. I see it as corporate worship.

     Think about it. The table is set, God has prepared His church and is building it. He has given us all we need for spiritual nourishment in His Word. And as we gather we feed on it.

     Since worship is a spiritual event, it is done in the power of the Holy Spirit who is often spoken of in Scripture as the oil or anointing of God.

     Kings were anointed with oil which represented the presence and guidance of God in their lives, which we know as the Holy Spirit.

     And we certainly gather together to worship each week in the presence of our enemies...those who despise spiritual things and who have no place for God in their hearts. We pass them every week as we come to worship...perhaps some are even living in our own homes.

    As we come to worship, God allows us to display great joy as we meet Him. My cup runneth over is an expression of great and abundant joy, found in the presence of God in worship.

     It is through the banquet table of corporate worship that God transforms us.  And as th4e gathererd church of God, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against us. Corporate worship is a time of great rejoicing!

Trans: Our first destination after the valley of shadows is , I believe, the banquet table of corporate worship. But the joy doesn't end there...it continues on forever in our final destination. David says that he shall not want...

 E. For a Home (vs 6)
Read: Psalm 23:6

     This is a picture of the Christian, the Believer who rejoices in God in the presence of  his enemies and God blesses him. How? No matter what the circumstance, whether in desperate situations or in the celebration of corporate worship, God blesses His people with goodness and lovingkindness...evey day of their lives. There is not a day that passes where believers do not experience the goodness and mercy of God.

Read: Lam 3:22-23 'The Lord's mercy indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.'

     In fact, the word 'follows' here really means to pursue. Not unlike the rock that followed the Israelites through the wilderness ready to provide water in times of need. You don't have to worry about seeking after God's blessings, they will pursue you and will find you in time of need.

     And then....we reach out final destination, our eternal home, our heavenly dwelling place...the house of the Lord. A place of eternal worship, perfect worship to our perfect God.

John 14:1-3  'Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.'

                                                                 O what a day!  O, what a home!
Conclusion
     The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. This is the place where God wants all His children to be. He wants us to be completely dependent on Him and to completely dwell in His presence.

     I see two options I see. Either the Lord is your shepherd and you want for nothing. Or the Lord is not your shepherd and you are in want. It is that simple.

 Where there is wholeness, peace, fulfillment and joy overflowing, then you are a sheep following the Lord, your shepherd.

 Where there is emptiness, loneliness, despair  with fear and anxiety then you are not following your shepherd...you have wandered off. Or maybe you were never in the sheepfold.

     David, when he wrote this psalm was believed to be on the run in the desert hiding from his son who took over the throne. David was in a desperate situation and often so are you. The question is, do you have the same confidence and peace that David shows in this Psalm?

     You can, when you trust Christ as your Savior and then the Lord will truly be your shepherd.
     Trust in Christ and depend on the Lord.
                                             Say it with me, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.