A common picture of life for the times....I must admit to not knowing one shepherd .......

Culturally
Scriptural -
Gen 48:15
Ps 80:1
Is 40:11
Jn 10:14
Heb 13:20


Written by David towards the end of his life

For nearly three thousand years this psalm has been perhaps the best-known and favorite passage of the Bible. Obviously this is because it ministers to definite and universal needs: man’s needs for comfort and a sense of security, both in this life and in the life to come.

The blessings of Psalm 23 and the comforts of John 10 depend then upon man’s willingness to follow the Lord.

1 The Lord
I am, Jahweh, his name, not his title....

Personal connection
is my - a connection that I own, admit to, and willingly submit to
(Illus. Voice experiment of shepherds crouching down outside the gate and calling for their sheep....illustrates what Jesus says in Jn 10:27. My sheep know my voice, I know them, and they follow me

shepherd
34 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? 3 You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. 4 You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. 5 So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. 6 They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.

1. Feeds his flock
2.care for the weak
3. Bandage up the wounded and sick
4. Look for wanderers
With gentleness and kindness
5. Unifies
6. Protects

I have all that I need.

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

I am not feeling deficient or going without ......

God's provision is found
1. in knowing Jesus
2. His Word
3. His great and precious promises
4. His sharing the divine nature - in dwelling Holy Spirit
5. His escaping grace for us in dealing with the stink of sinful desires.....
(Illus. Corruption is stuff that is rotting.....deer hunters......like a three day old gut pile ....)

The Lord
is my

shepherd;

I have all that I need.

All that happens next is because you walk through the gate of a personal relationship with Jesus

Because I am confident of his provision......

I can get some rest.....

Insists I lay down

On young soft grass

not the stiff stubbly stuff that pokes you in the neck

And get some rest

An atmosphere of quietness,

Which leads to the next part

Took this picture of the lake we were on during my recent retreat

Absence of storms

The green grass, the sound of the water rushing by.....

Lack of disturbing bone chilling wind.....

To take someone to a watering hole......a way station, for refreshment

(Illus. In filling out the eval for Barakel, they asked what activity did you enjoy the most....they have many.....I said long uninterrupted naps......and then commented that this place is good for my soul.....)

Which leads to the next slide

The word strength is a reference to my soul, my innermost being,

Gone from weak to strong
Tired to rested
Broken to healed
Negative to positive
Conflicted to peaceful
Confused to confident........etc.

To make better, to repair

Leads me, brings me, puts me, straightens me out......

Insures I make informed choices about what is best and right and good......

Avoid the dangers, provide warnings, gets you to the best views......

For his name sake.......the path I am on today is a testimony to the grace of God at work....or I would have walked off the edge long ago......

Even though I walk through a dark valley

Sun is obscured

Canyon walls can be intimidating

Coolness of the shadow of death......

(Illus. Guide told us of a lady the previous week who walked off the edge while looking through her camera lens trying to get a good shot.....)

No hopeless dread - seeing the enemy as so powerful there is no way they can be defeated, so you give up

No feeling isolated - the valleys of life do not mean God has left us.....

No being overwhelmed -

Protection - a weapon used by shepherds to guard against the predators of his sheep

Comfort - the consolation and give emotional strength to someone during a difficult time.....

No restrictions- none that are a surprise or hindrance to God, although they could certainly be to us.......our enemies try to are those who seek to hinder or restrict the growth of the gospel......yet instead of letting his usual approach God carefully and as usual sets a banquet table before me as if nothing is wrong, he is neither troubled or in a hurry due to their attacks

No dishonor-

Honors me as royalty children of the King, royal position

Powerful rather than powerless, the goal of our enemies......but anointing with oil is a symbol of the Spirits presence......and this statement of position and power before the Lord is over the top....overflowing......

This list is the exact opposite of the enemy of our souls.......

Truly, nevertheless, indeed, certainly

For I know God by name....

I have experienced his rest, peace, renewal, and presence.......

In the cool and dark valleys of life where sometimes the light of God appears diminished

But.......

Pursue me.....actively come after me with his

goodness - positive life giving, refreshing, edifying influence and grace

Mercy - the stronger reaching down to the weaker....who without that hand up, would certainly remain in the spot it was in.......

Unfailing love, kindness, a love that is unwavering, as a fruit of his character and the covenant he made to redeem us.....

In the now.......

God loves you

God wishes, wants, desires to forgive you, restore you, re - energize you, put your life back on track......

Never let anyone tell you differently

God can't forgive what I have done.......not only is he able to forgive he is willing....and waiting for you to call......

So let me ask you