Sermon: The Lord Is the Great Shepherd (He Restores My Soul)
Part Two: Psalm 23: 1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
God wants to take us to the green pastures and quiet waters. He restores us. If we are rebellious and disobedient, we are going against our best interests.
Yea, although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear because you are my God, my shepherd, and death has no hold on me. Since I am a child of God and know His son died and rose again on the third day, I know where I am going.
What about you? Do you where you are going?
Death has the last word on this side of life.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, death has lost. Without Jesus, death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We will struggle with enemies, pain, suffering, disease, and injury, but with all of our strength we cannot overcome death.
Only Jesus Christ can walk with us in the valley of death and bring us into His eternal light. Life is uncertain, but God is not.
Psalm 23: 5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
In ancient near eastern culture it was customary to anoint a person with fragrant oil at a banquet. The host was also expected to protect his guests at all costs. God offers the protection for us even when the enemy surrounds us.
Psalm 25: 2
O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
The Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Perfect Shepherd, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into His Father’s house.
Read the Full Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:
Psalm Chapter 23
Psalm Chapter 25