| Psa. 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; ( God compares himself to a shepherd to show his great love for his people. God is so concerned about his children that he desires to love, care for, protect, guide, and be near that child, just as a good Shepherd does for his sheep. John 10:11-14- 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Isa.- 53:6- All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Believers, we are the Lord’s sheep. We belong to him, though we are all like “sheep have gone astray�? We have turned everyone to his own way and the LORD has laid on him( Jesus) the iniquity of us all. The Lord has redeemed us with his shed blood. 1 Peter 1:18- Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ( As his sheep we can claim the promises of God when we respond to his voice and follow him. For those who are true sheep of Jesus obey his voice and follow him. The sheep who stray from the shepherd and refuse to hear and follow his voice proved that they are now his sheep. “I shall not want�?/FONT> This means that I will not lack anything necessary for Gods�?will to be accomplish in my life. I will be content in the good Shepherd’s provision and care of my life, even in times of personal hardship because I trust in his love and his commitment to me. 23:2 “He maketh me to lie down�?/FONT> We can “lie down�?in peace, free from all fear because of the nearness of the Shepherd. John 14:16 tells us of this peace. John 14:16- And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; The “Holy Ghost�?will do for us what Jesus did for the Disciples of Christ while he was with them. The spirit will be our side to help strengthen us, to comfort us in difficult situations, to be a friend to us and to remain with us forever. “In green pastures�?/FONT> My rest in his presence will be experienced in “green pastures�? As the green pastures are necessary for the life of the sheep, so is the word of God necessary for an abundant life for us. The sheep need the green pastures and we need be the word of God. Without these pastures the sheep would starve and we without the word of God would also starve. So we can see from this why we are compared to be his sheep. Thank God that he did bring us into the green pastures and out of that parched land, that Old Testament covenant. He brought us into the green pastures, the New Testament covenant where there is food. Nothing grows in that parched land that has dried up and waxed old. He leadeth me beside the still waters�?/FONT> By his spirit he leadeth us by the still waters. John 4:14 was talking about these still waters. 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 7:38 also is talking about these still waters. 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. He restoreth my soul: When we become discouraged the Good Shepherd revives and recharges our souls through his power and grace. He leadeth me “He leadeth me�?by the spirit of God. Romans 8:14-For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ( We must be led by the spirit of God and his chosen paths, ones that conforms to his way of holiness. 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace ( Our response to the Shepherd is obedience and his sheep will follow his voice and will not follow the voice of a stranger.) He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake We will follow Jesus as he leads us into his righteousness for his namesake. We will not do anything that will bring shame upon his name. We will always glorify and lift up the name of Jesus. �?Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; In times of danger, difficulty and even death, I’ll fear no evil. Why? For thou art with me in every situation. Math. 28:20 plainly shows that he will always be with us. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He is with us in the person of the Holy Ghost and through his words. No matter what your condition is, sick, fear, doubt, trouble, heartache, trials, struggles. No matter what your problem is. He is always there. 2 Tim.- 1:7- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me�?/FONT> The rod ( a short club) was a weapon of defense or discipline symbolizing God’s strength, power, and authority. The staff( a long slender stick with a hook on one end.) It was used to draw a sheep close to shepherd, guide it in the right way or rescue the sheep from trouble. That is why that he had given us the Comforter ( Holy Ghost) to lead us in the right direction and into all truth. Thou preparest a table Though we are surrounded by Satan and his ungodly world we can still rejoice in God’s presence. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 -And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I may eat at the Lord’s table in faith, thanksgiving and hope, fully at peace and protected by the shed blood of the good Shepherd. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Praise God that we are the anointed one, ( the New Testament). The shepherds cup was very large hollow-out stone that could hold as much as 50 gallons of water. I thank God that my water comes from that Stone which is Jesus Christ and it holds so much water that it is running over. He said that it shall be in you a well living water. Lord let this water or this cup run over so that it may touch someone else’s life. Goodness and Mercy Mercy means God’s love and kindness with the help of the Shepherd ( Jesus Christ). In our lives we can receive help, kindness, and support. No matter what happens we can trust the good Shepherd to work all things for our good. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. The goal of us following the good Shepherd and experiencing his goodness and mercy is that one day we may be with the Lord forever and see his face and serve him forever wherever he might be. In closing let me say this. That this is a personal thing with the Lord for each one of us. As you notice that in this Psalm that the words I, me, my, mine, are spoken. So this makes this a very personal thing for each of us. May God Bless. | 
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 