Psalm 23 Sermon Part 1

 Jesus showed time and time again that He would and could provide for those who followed Him. Just as a shepherd provides for the sheep, so does Jesus provide for His followers. No better description of this exists than Psalm 23


The 23rd psalm is among the most famous passages of Scripture. Among Christians, it might be the most often-quoted and frequently-memorized set of verses in the Old Testament. The themes of comfort, reassurance, and God's provision for His people have resonated with even non-believers across the ages.


Introduction

David  had seen tragedies and disappointments, but he also had come to know God - a good shepherd who gives to his children more than they deserve. The good shepherd provides:

  • provision - I have all that I need;

  • peace - I have rest from a weary journey;

  • protection - I have safety from my enemies;

  • providence - I have guidance in times of confusion;

  • presence - I have a companion when the way is lonely;

  • paradise - I have a home awaiting me in heaven.



David knew that God was beneath him in green pastures, beside him in still waters, before him at the table, behind him pursing him with goodness and mercy, beyond him preparing a heavenly home, and with him all the while as the good shepherd. David had been given more than he deserved.



Outline

I. God's goodness comes from His nature, not our worthiness (v. 6)

Surely denotes a fact as certain as it is comforting. Too good to be true? No, God is much too good not to be true. He is good - as good as we're capable of imagining Him to be - the only good person in the world.



II. God's love comes from His character, not our virtue (v. 6)

The Psalms are filled with affirmations of God's love for us: Psalm 13:5, 31:7, 86:5, 136 - 25 times. In Psalm 23 David writes "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:6 NIV).



David's word for God's tender affection is a term used in the ancient world to mean love that flows out of deep emotion rather than duty. It's a kind and gentle love. That quaint, old word lovingkindness may still be the best translation of all. But, however it is defined, I don't deserve it.



God's nature is to love - sacrificially, selflessly, extravagantly - beyond our wildest expectations. Never was this truth more magnificently portrayed as on the old rugged cross by his sinless son dying on behalf of sinful humanity. Giving us the opportunity of salvation and eternal life, that which we do not deserve. But that is just like God's love, stimulated by His character, not by our virtue.



III. God's house draws us home (v. 6)

There is something magnetic about home. It always draws us back. If you have stayed over with a friend for the first time, you long for home. If you have been out on the road for what seems like a month of Sundays, you desire your own bed. If you are away at college sharing a dorm room with a slob, you miss your own room - neat and organized.



David closes the Twenty-third Psalm with a mighty crescendo of faith when he declares, "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6 NIV). Look at this verse closely.



The word and is one of the most important connections in the Bible. It connects yesterday and today and tomorrow. God says, "I've got this great life planned for you and surely goodness and mercy will follow you through it, but that's not the end! I've got something else at the end!"



The word dwell means to reside or to settle down and be at home with.

The word house means the family or household or flock of the Good Shepherd. It denotes to be in God's presence.



The word forever means the length of one's days, for all of one's time. David is saying that he never wants to step away from God. He craves to remain in the aura, in the atmosphere, in the awareness that he is in God's house, wherever he is.



Conclusion

If you could ask God for one thing, what would you request? David tells us what he would ask. He longs to dwell in the house of God. David doesn't want to chat or a cup of coffee. He wants to move in with him . . . forever. He doesn't seek a temporary assignment, but rather lifelong residence.

God's home is something we don't deserve, but one that is freely given.


Psalm 23 reminds us that God stands ready to be our shepherd if we will only let him. God is not a distant God who winds up the universe and lets it go. God is close to us and cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. In this Psalm David, who is himself a shepherd, describes the LORD as his own personal shepherd.


David concludes this Shepherd's Psalm with a testimony of his firm confidence in the Good Shepherd. Surely could be translated only. It is a statement of assurance. David was able to look back on his life and see nothing but God's goodness and mercy following him everywhere he went.

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