The Lord is My Shepherd Psalm 23 p. 510

Psalm 23 My chaotic day Do you feel like there is too much to do? My expectations and to do list are unrealistic Do you feel like there is too much to do? Do you wonder if you are putting forth enough effort? For your children, family, yourself? God? Psalm 23 is not about what we have to do! It is about what God does for us!

God is Our Shepherd Psalm is likely written by King David as he looked back on his life Begins with a declaration, confession: The Lord is my Shepherd (v1) Shepherd – guide, physician, protector, finds food and resting places, rescues from danger and loss An appropriate metaphor for God! Jesus says “I am the Good Shepherd [who] lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11)

God is Our Shepherd The impact of having God as your Shepherd: I shall not want / I lack nothing (v1b) Does not mean we have no desires Rather, it is about not lacking what we need Trusting that the Shepherd knows what we need The rest of the Psalm shows how God provides

God is Our Shepherd Green pastures, quiet waters, refreshed/restored soul Who doesn’t want this?!? If we allow him to be our Shepherd, he can do this for us! Refreshed / Restored Soul Not about adding empty years to life, or about material/ financial gain Refers to living life to the fullest – meaning, depth, relationships, love  wholeness

God is Our Shepherd Part of that wholeness is letting God direct and guide us along the right paths / paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (v3) Not about simply finding the right, best or most efficient route – this isn’t Google Maps! It is about letting God guide our lives “along a course that leads toward fulfillment” (AA Anderson) The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, so he tailors the way for you!

God is Our Shepherd But life is not all rosy and perfect: I walk through the darkest valley/ the valley of the shadow of death (v4) This acknowledges hardship, pain, suffering, disappointment “life is vulnerable, and faith is conflicted” (JL Mays) But there is a promise! I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me. (v4b) He is present! He stays with us always!

God is Our Shepherd I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me. (v4b) Rod & staff are shepherds tools to ward off danger and move sheep in right direction They are not the most comfortable items! But they do bring comfort. Discipline, order, routine makes a child feel secure Same for us!

God is Our Host A new image introduced: God as Host You prepare a table before me (v5) Traveler receiving hospitality from a Bedouin chief was protected from enemies Powerful image of protection & hospitality, honour & provision Personal example: being left out The image of being welcomed at a table resonates for anyone who has been left out

God is Our Host …in the presence of my enemies (v5) Who are the enemies? Historical context: post-conflict banquets with the defeated as unwilling guests Examples in current Canadian context: toxic family relationship, unjust or abusive boss, etc. Enemies of our own making or that reside within us i.e. Shame, guilt, fear, anger, anxiety, etc. Yet we can still experience the goodness of the table in light of these ‘enemies’

Goodness & Love Surely goodness and love/ mercy will follow me… and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (v6) “With God, these qualities are not merely solid and dependable, they are vigorous – for ‘to follow’ does not mean to bring up the rear, but to pursue!” (D Kidner) As we are pursued by goodness and love, we are transformed by them!

Dwelling in the House of the Lord “The Demise of the North- American Family” by Dan Steeves The table – a symbol of family, home, dwelling together is easily lost in our busy lives “The Demise of the North-American Family” by Dan Steeves

Dwelling in the House of the Lord The picture in Psalm 23 is the opposite! Isa 55:1-3 Come, all you who are thirsty,     come to the waters; and you who have no money,     come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk     without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread,     and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,     and you will delight in the richest of fare. “The Demise of the North-American Family” by Dan Steeves

Dwelling in the House of the Lord TV show “Parenthood” They are together through ‘green pastures’ and ‘darkest valleys’ Ps 36:8 “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights” “The Demise of the North-American Family” by Dan Steeves

Dwelling in the House of the Lord God invites you into this! To dwell in the house of the Lord, both now and forever more! “The Demise of the North-American Family” by Dan Steeves