"The Lord Is My Shepherd Psalm 23

“The Lord Is My Shepherd” The Role of a Shepherd. The role of the shepherd is to care for the sheep. In this simple sentence we capsulate the far reaching and detailed work that is involved in the raising of sheep and the producing of wool. Let us look at what Jesus said about being a shepherd.

“The Lord Is My Shepherd” The Role of a Shepherd. John 10:7-18 The Lord is MY Shepherd.

“The Lord Is My Shepherd” He is concerned about me. He leads me. He feeds me. He nurtures me. He shelters me. He comforts me. He keeps me. He seeks me. He brings me back. He fights for me. With me in darkest days. He died for me. He lives for me. He is my door to eternal life.

The Lord Is My Shepherd “I shall not want” Spiritual needs sometime take a “backseat” to material needs. Revelation 3:17 A shepherd makes the sheep content. We are to find contentment. Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6, 8; Hebrews 13:5

The Lord Is My Shepherd “I shall not want” Spiritual needs sometime take a “backseat” to material needs. A shepherd makes the sheep content. We are to find contentment spiritually. We can be content because God cares for us. John 10:13;1 Peter 5:7

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures” The Lord Is My Shepherd “He makes me to lie down in green pastures” Jesus has done all that is necessary for us to “lie down” with Him. Hebrews 4:9-11 When sheep lie down, the are: Free from fear. Psalm 23:4; 2 Timothy 1:7 Free from friction with others. Free from torment. Free from hunger.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures” The Lord Is My Shepherd “He makes me to lie down in green pastures” Jesus has done all that is necessary for us to “lie down” with Him. Hebrews 4:9-11 When sheep lie down… When the good shepherd is near, these fears are alleviated. Matthew 28:19-20; Hebrews 13:5

“He leads me beside still waters” The Lord Is My Shepherd “He leads me beside still waters” As water nourishes the sheep physically, Christ nourishes us spiritually. John 4:10-13; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, 17

“He restores my soul” Understanding cast sheep. The Lord Is My Shepherd “He restores my soul” Understanding cast sheep. Sheep look for soft comfortable spot. Weighted down by its own wool. Too fat. We can become cast Christians. Amos 6:1

“He leads me in paths of righteousness” The Lord Is My Shepherd “He leads me in paths of righteousness” As Christians, we need a shepherd or we will wallow on the hills of sin and the valleys of decadence. Psalm 95:7; Psalm 100:3; Matthew 9:36.

“Though I walk through the valley of death” The Lord Is My Shepherd “Though I walk through the valley of death” We all have valleys in life. The valley of death. We don’t die there! We don’t stop there! We walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

“Thy rod and staff comfort me.” The Lord Is My Shepherd “Thy rod and staff comfort me.” The rod and staff of the shepherd are tools of the trade. The rod and staff are figurative of power. The Christians can take comfort that our shepherd has the power to protect us. Matthew 28:18

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” The Lord Is My Shepherd “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Shepherds must prepare the table for the sheep. The Lord has prepared a table for us! Matthew 26:26-28

“You Anoint my head with oil.” The Lord Is My Shepherd “You Anoint my head with oil.” Shepherds anoint the heads of sheep so they can escape torture. There are things that “bug” us in life. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14

The Lord Is My Shepherd “My cup runneth over” Shepherds draw water from wells and put them in cups for the sheep. The metaphor is one of Christ meeting all of our spiritual needs fully and completely.

This is the conclusion of the preceding verses. The Lord Is My Shepherd “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This is the conclusion of the preceding verses. Our shepherd provides that which is good for us. John 10:11; Psalm 106:1 “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” John 14:1-4

The Lord Is My Shepherd The good shepherd will bring his sheep to the sheepfold and close the door after them and they will be protected. Isn’t it great to know that the Lord is our Shepherd, and He will watch over us and protect us from all harm. He will keep us safely.