Psalm 23 - My Cup Overflows

Psalm 23 is really a description of a year in the life of a shepherd and His sheep. In the phrase “Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” we understood it to be a reference to the tableland or mesas of the high country. As the summer looms the shepherd would lead his sheep to the high country for better grazing and cooler weather. However, there were enemies in the high country as well, there were poisonous plants, predators and pests that the shepherd had to be on the look out for if he wanted his sheep to enjoy their time in the tableland.

One of the ways that the shepherd would protect the sheep from pests would be to anoint their heads with oil. Let’s look at that phrase a little closer.

Thou hast anointed my head with oil

Herbert Lockyer wrote,

“This simile has been interpreted in may ways—as the Eastern custom of anointing
guests with the precious unguents as they enter a hospitable home, as the
anointing of prophets, priests and kings with the “the oil of holy anointment”
as they were set aside for their respective offices, as the anointing the saints
receive as they function as kings and priests, and as the divine anointing with
the Holy Spirit and with power…….But while all of these applications are
permissible, the direct interpretation of the anointed head is associated with
the shepherd’s acre of his sheep.” (God’s Book of Poetry: Meditations from the
Psalms, pp. 79-80)

He goes on to write,

“David learned by experience that sheep were very susceptible to sickness and
fevers, or liable to be bitten by or serpent or torn by a wild beast. For such
needs, the psalmist had at his belt a horn of healing oil or mollifying
ointment. If the skin was bruised or broken, tenderly the wound would be washed
and then soothed with oil.” (pp. 80)

As summer in the high country moves gradually into autumn, subtle changes occur both in the countryside and in the sheep.

The nights become cooler; there are the first touches of frost; the insects begin to disappear and are less a pest; the foliage on the hills turns crimson gold and bronze; mist and rain begin to fall and the earth prepares for winter.

In the flock this is the season of the rut, of mating, of great battles between the rams for possession of the ewes. The necks of the monarchs swell and grow strong. They strut proudly across the pastures and fight furiously for the favors of the ewes. The clash of heads and the thud of colliding bodies can be heard through the hours of day and night.

Because these encounters can cause the rams to be injured, maimed or even killed the shepherd has a very simple remedy. He catches the rams and smears their heads with grease.

Phillip Keller writes,

“I used to apply generous quantities of axle grease to the head and nose of each
ram. Then when they collided in their great crashing battles the lubricant would
make them glance off each other in such a ludicrous way they stood there feeling
rather stupid and frustrated. In this way much of the heat and tension was
dissipated and little damage done.” (A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, pp. 122)

From time to time God’s people but heads with one another when we don’t see eye to eye. Some like to assert themselves as “top sheep” and leave in their wake injured and maimed sheep.

I myself can think of several people who will not darken the doors of a church today because they were wounded during battles between believers.

“Scores of skeptical souls will never enter a church simply because away back in
their experience someone had battered them badly.” (Keller, pp. 123)

To prevent this sort of thing our Shepherd left us a great example.

John 13:1-7
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. 5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 And so He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter." 8 Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." 10 Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."
12 And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. NAS

The Apostle Paul elaborated on this attitude in Philippians 2:1-8.

1 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. NAS

In addition to His great example Jesus promised that He would send them a comforter – the Holy Spirit who would help them to know His peace.

John 14:25-27
25 "These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. NAS

Bless God there is balm enough in Gilead for all our fevers and wounds! Is a bruised heart yours? Have you been torn by the trials and afflictions of life? Well, the Shepherd-Physician is near to apply the oil of joy for mourning and to adorn you with the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

My cup overflows

The autumn days can be golden, especially under Indian summer like weather. This is the season when the sheep can sit back and say… ”my cup runneth over.”

But at the same time, unexpected storms or early snows can blow in without much warning. The shepherd must be prepared for this possibility otherwise he and his sheep can experience some appalling suffering.

Keller writes,

“Some of the most vivid memories of my sheep ranching days are wrapped around
the awful storms my flock and I went through together. I can see again the
gray-black banks of storm clouds sweeping in off the sea; I can see the sleet
and hail and snow sweeping across the hills. I can see the sheep racing for
shelter in the tall timber; I can see them standing there soaked, chilled and
dejected. Especially the young lambs went through appalling misery without the
benefit of a full, heavy fleece to protect them. Some would succumb and lie down
in distress only to become more cramped and chilled.” (pp. 126)

One of the things Keller would do for these frozen lambs was give them a mixture of water and brandy to warm them up. Likewise the Palestinian shepherds may have used wine to help their chilled and frozen sheep.

Attached to the shepherds girdle was his cup, fashioned from the horn of an animal. When he came to a quiet flowing stream or pool of fresh water, before his sheep drank he would plunge his cup in the water until it overflowed, and then slake his own thirst.

For David this simple act became alive with spiritual meaning as he realized the abundant goodness of the Lord.

“Can we say that the overflowing cup is ours? Far too many of us are content
with a mere trickle of blessing. We are strangers to the “rivers of living
water” the Good Shepherd provides for the sheep who know His voice (see John
7:38). He does measure out His blessing drop by drop. His is the overflowing
bounty for all who are thirsty enough to appropriate it. Do you have all and
abound? Jesus came that you might have not only life, but life more abundantly
and that you joy might be full (see John 10:10; 15:11).” (Lockyer, pp.
80-81)

Haddon Robinson adds,

“Complaining can develop into a fine art! Some tarnished souls can look at any
situation and tell you what is wrong with it. Unfortunately, a few of these
spirits have joined our churches.
When you meet these people you know they
are poverty stricken. I do not mean that they do not have money. They often do.
But though they may have fat purses, they have lean souls. Christians who sing
the song of heaven in a minor key do not impress others with the richness of
their faith. The people who convince me of the reality of Jesus Christ are those
sturdy saints who sing with psalmist, “My cup runneth over.”” (The Good
Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm 23, pp. 27)

David himself knew hard times:

· Absalom his son, rebelled against him committing treason
· Ahithophel his advisor, betrayed him
· Joab his army chief, deserted him
· His wife scolded him for his humility
· Adonijah a favorite son, tried to steal his throne
· Former King Saul hated him

Yet despite all of that, and more, David knew that God had never failed him, in fact, just the opposite was true. His cup overflowed!

“Sometimes a shepherd found a very deep well from which to draw water for his
flock. Many were a hundred feet down to the water. To draw the water the
shepherd used a long rope with a leather bucket at the end. The bucket held only
three quarts. It had to be let down and drawn up hand over hand and the water
poured into large stone cups beside the well. It was a long, laborious process.
If a shepherd had one hundred sheep, he might have to draw for two hours if he
allowed the sheep to drink all they wished. Sheep do not like to get wet, and it
was mark of special kindness to keep the cups filled to the brim so that they
could drink with ease….the shepherd of the psalmist….drew and drew and filled
the cups to overflowing. He was untiring in his efforts to satisfy the thirsty
sheep. (Robinson, pp. 27)

Our God is a great giver! He is lavish in his bounties to us. He not only gives us what we ask or think; He gives us exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. NAS

Hymn – Count Your Blessings

Verse 1
When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings Name them one by one, And it will surprise you What the Lord hath done.

Chorus:
Count your blessings Name them one by one. Count your blessings See what God hath done. Count your blessings Name them one by one. Count your many blessings See what God hath done.

Verse 2
Are you ever burdened With a load of care, Does the cross seem heavy You are called to bear. Count your many blessings Every doubt will fly, And you will be singing As the days go by.

Verse 3
When you look at others With their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised You His wealth untold. Count your many blessings Money cannot buy, Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.

Verse 4
So amid the conflict Whether great or small, Do not be discouraged God is over all. Count your many blessings Angels will attend, Help and comfort give you To your journey's end.

Psalm 23 - Thou Hast Annointed My Head with Oil

When we come to this point in the Psalm the question arises, does the metaphor change or does it stay the same? Many commentators feel that this section of Psalm 23 doesn’t fit well with the shepherd metaphor. However, when we look a little closer at the practices of shepherds we see that this section does indeed fit with the God as Shepherd metaphor.

The psalmist is actually recounting the salient events of the full year in the sheep’s life. According to Phillip Keller (A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23),

“He takes us with him from the home ranch where every need is so carefully supplied by the owner, out into the green pastures, along the still waters, up through the mountain valleys to the high tablelands of summer.” (pp. 114)

We can see this as we seek to answer two questions: What is the table and who are the enemies?
What is the table?

Most who hold to the view that David is changing metaphors here have a problem with the use of the word or idea of table.

The word “table” means something spread out – and does not necessarily refer to a piece of furniture for humans. Flat places in the hill country were called “tables” and sometimes the shepherd would stop at these “tables” so that the flocks could feed. The Spanish word “mesa” means “table.” The high mountain country is often referred to as “tablelands.” A few high flat mountains are even called “Table Mountain.” In fact the word table is used in a similar way in other passages of scripture: cf. Psalms 78:19; Exodus 16:1-19

Who are the enemies?

According to Mark Tabb the word for enemies literally means “one who harasses.” It focuses upon the threats and abuse heaped upon us by those who oppose us.

These enemies or harassments came in three forms (Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23)

Poisonous Plants; Predators and Pests

Enemy #1 – Poisonous Plants

There were “enemies” in the presence of poisonous herbs and weeds growing in the pasture which, if eaten, would prove to be fatal to the sheep. Only the trained eye of the shepherd could spot such dangers to the sheep so that they could be removed. This is in addition to the beasts and robbers always lurking in the shadows.

Enemy #2 – Predators

The shepherd often finds himself tending his flocks on the tableland in full view of his enemies. Only his awareness and preparation can prevent one of his sheep from being attacked.

Enemy #3 – Pests

During the summer months in the tableland the greatest annoyance to the sheep may be that of flies. Flies caused the sheep much aggravation, irritability and restlessness.

The answer to the problem, an anointing!


Thou anointest my head with oil

Keller says that at the very first sign of flies he would apply a special homemade anointment concocted by adding together linseed oil, sulphur and tar. This mixture was poured over the sheep’s head and nose as a protection against the pests. (pp. 116)

As with the sheep there is for us times in our lives when there are flies in the ointment. Often we encounter irritations and annoyances that can ruin our life on the higher ground. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. When we find ourselves aggravated by the pesky little things that can distract us, the daily anointing of the Spirit is there to soothe and calm us.

Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18-6:9

The summertime for sheep is more than fly-time it is also scab-time.

Scab is an irritating and highly contagious disease common among sheep the world over. Caused by a minute, microscopic parasite that proliferates in warm weather, “scab” spreads throughout a flock by direct contact between infected and non-infected animal.

Sheep love to rub heads in an affectionate and friendly manner. This means that the “scab” is most often found around the head.

As a side note: this is one of the reasons that the Lord wanted his sacrificial lambs to be without blemish (free from the “scab”). In a real sense the “scab” is representative of contamination and metaphorically it is represented by sin.

As with flies the only effective antidote is the anointing of the sheep with the special mixture of oils and chemicals. (Today most of the sheep are actually dipped).

For us as Christians our contamination comes by the world and is spread mind to mind, through the transmission of ideas and thoughts and concepts and attitudes.

This is especially true in our modern day mass communication or Main Stream Media. Who controls the MSM? For the most part people who are ungodly and or hostile toward God / evangelical Christian religion. This is why we need the mind of God.

Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

The mind of God involves those things that are true

True is not to be taken in the narrow sense i.e. that which is truthful (in the sense of veracity), but to that which is true in the wider sense i.e. that which is genuine, real, sincere.

John Henry Jowett described the nature of this truth when he wrote,

“Truth in a police court is correspondence with fact – Truth in the New
Testament is correspondence with God.”

All that is true – all that is real and genuine – has been revealed to us by God in His word and through THE WORD – Jesus Christ.
John 1:1-3; 14-18; 14:6

Jesus in His High Priestly prayer (John 17) said that God’s word is truth.

Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8 that Satan is the “father of lies” and it has been his desire since the fall to counterfeit that which is of God, real and genuine.

To grasp the truth is not something that happens over night. It takes a lifetime of careful, disciplined meditation and contemplation to grasp the immensity of God’s truth.

Someone has said, “A thoughtless Christian, devoid of meditation and contemplation of true things is a strange contradiction. He or she believes that they are heirs of eternal truth which paradoxically they don’t consider worth thinking too seriously about.”

Bank Tellers are trained to detect counterfeit money, not by dealing with that which is counterfeit but with familiarizing themselves with the real thing. How can we detect that which is false if we do not know the truth?

Psalms 1:1-3
1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
NAS

Psalms 119:11
11 Thy word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against Thee.
NAS

Psalms 119:105
105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet,
And a light to my path.
NAS

The mind of God involves those things that are honorable

The word honorable refers to something that is worthy of respect or reverence. The word exhorts us to appreciate things that produce a noble seriousness.

“A person has no problem thinking seriously once he gets around to seriously thinking.”

Once we begin to think about things that are true, it ought to lead us to noble, serious thoughts.

The mind of God involves those things that are right

The idea here is of righteousness in a comprehensive sense. It speaks of things that are righteous by both divine and human standards.

William Hendriksen writes,

“Having received from God righteousness both of imputation and impartation,
believers should think righteous thoughts. They should, in their mind,
gratefully meditate on God’s righteous acts (Rev. 15:3), appreciate
righteousness on others, and should plan righteous words and deeds. Masters, for
example, should take account of what is fair and square in dealing with their
servants. They should realize that they, too, have an employer in heaven (Col.
4:1). In all his planning, let the Christian ask himself, ‘Is this in harmony
with God’s will and law?’” (New Testament Commentary: Philippians, Colossians
and Philemon, pp. 198)

If we think righteous thoughts we will make righteous choices. Too often today, decisions are made, not on the basis of what is admirable and noble, but on the basis of what is most expedient and profitable. It takes exercise of mind and devotion of life to get into the habit of wanting what is right.

We live in a world of comfort and convenience and too often our thoughts are on convenience and comfort to the detriment of what’s right. We need to think on those things that are just or righteous!

The mind of God involves those things that are pure

The idea here is purity in all things. Living in the impure environment of Philippi, the Philippians were to fill their minds with pure thoughts in order to combat the unclean influences of their culture.

1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." NAS

§ The Apostle John wrote, “And everyone who has this hope in Him, purifies himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3
§ The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other peoples sins, keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

How do we share in other peoples sins? Through our thought life (sexually, jealously, deceptions, anger etc.)

The mind of God involves those things that are lovely

This is the only place where this particular Greek word is used in the New Testament. It was used in the first century in epitaphs – It spoke of that which was pleasing, orderly, beautiful and attractive.

It was a term that could be used to describe fine art or music. Reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 might give one insight into the meaning of the word. It is the opposite of the confusion and disorder that so often rules our day. We are to think about those things that promote order and beauty.

The mind of God involves those things that are of good repute

Literally, the phrase means fair speaking. It describes that which is appealing – listening to such reports builds one up spiritually. Even upon non-Christians – they make good impressions.

The opposite of this would be a critical, chronically negative attitude.
Some Christians have the gift of negativism – they get special joy out of being critical.

We are to think about things of a good report, things that are admirable and helpful.

The mind of God involves those things that promote moral excellence

Sometimes this word is translated as virtue which speaks of moral and spiritual excellence.

The Greek word is arête which has the idea of fulfilling the purpose of something. When tools work properly, when land produces crops, when Christians glorify God, they are arête, fulfilling their purpose.

Someone has said that if some Christians ran their business the way they run their Christianity, they would be broke in six months. Many have the idea that, nothing but the best will do for home and business – but anything will do when it comes to service and worship. Everything we do and think ought to lead us to fulfill our purpose for God.

We need to consider, think about, dwell on those things that promote moral excellence.

The mind of God involves those things that are praiseworthy

The idea here is to think about the positives instead of the negatives. We need careful introspective in our lives – we need to periodically examine ourselves. This of course means focusing on negative things – BUT we also need time to remember the positives!

Not everything is always wrong with our Church! There are some things that we do right….we need to remember them (Individually and corporately).

Speaking of these last two qualities Warren Wiersbe says,

“If it has virtue, it will motivate us to do better; and if it has praise, it is
worth commending to others. No Christian can afford to waste ‘mind power’ on
thoughts that tear him down or that would tear others down if these thoughts
were shared.” (Be Joyful, pp. 130)

Kent Hughes, in his book Disciplines of a Godly Man, reminds us that this kind of thinking is a matter of choice:

“Each of Paul’s ingredients is explicitly positive. The true, the noble, the
right, the pure, the lovely, the admirable all defy negative exposition. Each
ingredient was, and is, a matter of personal choice—and our choices make all the
difference in the world. We all can choose a thought program which will produce
a Christian mind. I have great sympathy for those whose past has been a series
of bad choices. I understand that if over the years one has chosen the impure
and the illusory and the negative, it is very difficult to change. But as a
biblical thinker, I give no quarter to myself or anyone else who rationalizes
his present choices by the past. Brothers, we are free to have a Christian mind.
It is within our reach, and it is our duty.” (pp. 72-73)

When we compare Psalm 19:7-9 to this passage we can see a parallel. The Christian who fills his mind with God’s Word will have a “built in radar system” for detecting bad and unwanted thoughts. Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on God’s Word.

Psalms 1:1-3
1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
NAS

As our Shepherd, the Lord wants to impart to us His mind, through His Spirit and His Word in order to protect us from the satanic pests that would seek to drive us mad.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16
9 but just as it is written,
"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
NAS

Thou hast anointed my head with [the] oil [of the Holy Spirit].

Psalm 23 - Thou dost Prepare a Table Before Me

Thou dost prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies

Some commentators think that at this point the metaphor changes from that of God as Shepherd to that of God as Host. If this is the case then David is describing the Lord as host at a banquet (cf. Is. 25:6-8) prepared for his child. The “table” is laden with food and drink.
Before entering into the banquet hall, the host would anoint the honored guest with oil (Ps. 45:7; 92:10; 133:2; Amos 6:6; Luke 7:46). The oil was made by adding perfume to olive oil.

The “cup” symbolized the gracious and beneficent manner of entertainment. The overflowing pictures the Lord as giving the best to His child. It symbolizes the care and provisions of God, previously represented by “green pastures” and “quiet waters.”

Moreover, the Lord vindicates His servant “in the presence of my enemies,” expressing both the adversities of life itself as well as God’s demonstration of His love toward His own.

But is this the correct way to see this half of the Psalm, God as Host? Or is better and more consistent to see here the continuation of the metaphor of God as Shepherd? ***(see comments at the end of this post for more of this discussion).


When we look a little closer at the practices of shepherds we see that this section does indeed fit with the God as Shepherd metaphor.

We can see this as we seek to answer two questions: What is the table and who are the enemies?

What is the table?

Most who hold to the view that David is changing metaphors here have a problem with the use of the word or idea of table. How does a shepherd prepare a table for his sheep? However, the word “table” means something spread out and does not necessarily refer to a piece of furniture for humans.

Flat places in the hill country were called “tables” and sometimes the shepherd would stop at these “tables” so that the flocks could feed. The Spanish word “mesa” means “table.” The high mountain country is often referred to as “tablelands” and even a few high flat mountains have been given the name, “Table Mountain.”

In fact the word “table” is used in a similar way in other passages of scripture:

Psalms 78:19
19 Then they spoke against God;
They said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

That is what God did for Israel in the wilderness—He spread a table for them in defiance of their foes. He gave them the manna every morning spread out on the ground…..table…so that they could gather it and eat (cf. Exodus 16:1-19).

Phillip Keller says that the psalmist here is actually recounting the salient events of the full year in the sheep’s life.

“He takes us with him from the home ranch where every need is so carefully
supplied by the owner, out into the green pastures, along the still waters, up
through the mountain valleys to the high tablelands of summer.” (A Shepherd
Looks at Psalm 23, pp. 114)

Who are the enemies?

According to Mark A. Tabb the word for enemies literally means “one who harasses.” It focuses upon the threats and abuse heaped upon us by those who oppose us. (Psalm 23: Song of the Shepherd, pp. 108)

These enemies or harassments came in three forms. Poisonous plants, predators and pests.

Enemy #1 – Poisonous Plants

As the shepherd would guide his sheep to the tablelands, there would be “enemies” there in the presence of poisonous herbs and weeds growing in the pasture which, if eaten, would prove to be fatal to the sheep. Only the trained eye of the shepherd could spot such dangers to the sheep so that they could be removed. This is in addition to the beasts and robbers always lurking in the shadows.

Phillip Keller writes,

“Unknown to me the first sheep ranch I owned had a rather prolific stand of both
blue and white cammas. The blue cammas were a delightful sight in the spring
when they bloomed along the beaches. The white cammas, though a much less
conspicuous flower, were also quite attractive but a deadly menace to sheep. If
lambs, in particular, ate or even just nibbled a few of the lily-like leaves as
they emerged in the grass sward during spring, it would spell certain death. The
lambs would become paralyzed, stiffen up like blocks of wood and simply succumb
to the toxic poisons from the plants.”
(pp. 105-106)

He continues:

“My youngsters and I spent days and days going over the ground plucking out
these poisonous plants. It was a recurring task that was done every spring
before the sheep went on these pastures. Though tedious and tiring with all the
bending, it was a case of ‘preparing the table in the presence of mine enemies.’
And if my sheep were to survive it simply had to be done.” (pp. 106)

What is the parallel for us in the Christian life?

We as humans like to try everything that comes our way. We have taste this and sample that. Even when we know that something is dangerous or destructive or even deadly, we still have to try it!

We must remember though that our Shepherd, Jesus has gone before us, blazing the trail and clearing the path so that we might not be hurt.

Hebrews 2:9-18
9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying,
"I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren,
In the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise."
13 And again,
"I will put My trust in Him."
And again,
"Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me."
14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Luke 22:31-32
31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Enemy #2 – Predators

In describing how the shepherd inspected the field for vipers / snakes Haddon Robinson writes:

“The shepherd leaves the sheep outside any such infested field. Then he walks up
and down the field until he finds vipers’ holes. He takes from his girdle a bottle of thick oil. Then, raking over any long grass with his staff, he pours a circle of oil at the top of every viper’s hole he can find. As he leads the sheep into the field, he anoints the head of each sheep with the oil.

When the vipers beneath the ground realize that the sheep are grazing above, they come out of their holes to do their deadly damage. But the oil keeps them from getting out. The smooth bodies of the vipers cannot pass over the slipping oil—and they are prisoners inside their holes.

Moreover, the oil on the sheep’s head acts as a repellent, so if a viper gets near the nose of the sheep the smell drives the viper away. Literally, therefore, the sheep are allowed to graze in plenty in the presence of their enemies. What the shepherd did for the sheep, God does for his people. If you are Christian, God has sent you to live in a dangerous place. Remember in Matthew 10:16 that our Lord says to His disciples, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.” The most dangerous place for a sheep to be is in the midst of a wolf pack.” (pp. 25-26 cf. Charles W. Slemming)

Jesus’ prayer in John 17:15-17 reveals His care for the sheep.

15 "I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.

The shepherd often finds himself tending his flocks on the tableland in full view of his enemies. Only his awareness and preparation can prevent one of his sheep from being attacked. Satan, our predator walks about as a roaring lion seeking of whom he may devour. He is a snake, that old serpent who would love nothing more than to take a bite out of us.

However, our Shepherd, Jesus knows every trick and every wile of the devil.

There are many in our culture today who deny the existence of a being called Satan. They say he is a made up composite of evil and a myth (red suit, with pitch fork, tail and horns). He is seen in caricature. Yet as has been pointed out by more than one commentator we can see,

“the evidence of his merciless attacks and carnage in society where men and
women fall prey to his cunning tactics almost every day. We see lives torn and
marred and seared by his assaults though we may never see him personally.”
(Keller pp. 108)

Such were the attacks that shepherds faced in the tableland. They would see the damage done to the flock, but never actually see the predator.

Yet, Jesus Christ goes before us to protect us and guide us. It is therefore wise to stay close to him. It is the distant sheep that stray away from the flock that get picked off by the enemies.

James 4:7-8
7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Enemy #3 – Pests Next Post

***James Montgomery Boice isn’t sure whether the shepherd metaphor ends here or not so he gives an exposition from both points of view. Some of what he says for the God as Host view is as follows. (Psalms Volume 1, pp. 211-212)

“In biblical imagery oil and wine also speak of joy and prosperity, since olives and grapes take time to grow and oil and wine require time to prepare. In periods of domestic turmoil or war these tasks were not performed.

Moreover, oil and wine were highly valued in the dry, barren lands of the Near East. In Palestine, where the sun shines fiercely most of the year and the temperatures continually soar up into the hundreds, the skin becomes cracked and broken and throats become parched. Oil soothes the skin, particularly the face. Wine clears the throat. When a guest arrived at the home of a friend, hospitality demanded the provision of oil and wine so the ravages of travel might be overcome.

David spoke of this, though somewhat differently, when he prayed, “O Lord,…..let your face shine on your servant” (Psalm 31:14, 16). A shinning face was the face of a friend. In another passage David thanks God for the “wine that gladdens the heart of man” and “oil [that makes] his face shine” (Ps. 104:15).

If we allow God to lead us where he will, we will find that a table had been prepared for us, our heads have been anointed with purest oil, and our cups have been filled to overflowing with the wine of true joy.”

Derek Kidner (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Psalms 1-72, pp. 111-112) makes a good argument for ending the God as Shepherd metaphor when he says:

“The shepherd imagery has served its purpose, to be replaced by one of greater
intimacy. (The attempt to sustain the first metaphor, which is sometimes made,
would turn it through full circle, picturing men as sheep which are pictured as
men – with their table, cup and house – which is hardly a profitable exercise.)”

Every detail here is in that key, from the well-set table to the festive oil and brimming cup.

The picture (in the presence of my enemies) may be one of cool assurance under pressure, an Old Testament equivalent to Romans 8:31-39 or 2 Corinthians 12:9f….a witness to infinite resources in the worst of situations.

Or it is more likely that the phrase “probably anticipates a victory celebration, where the enemies are present as captives; or an accession feast with defeated rivals as reluctant guests.”

Given all of this I think the shepherd metaphor still fits the passage best.

Psalm 23 - Thy Rod and Thy staff, they comfort me

According to Haddon Robinson, the terms sheep, lambs, ewes, sheepfold and shepherds appear about six hundred times in the Bible. God seems to be saying, “If you want to learn something about the Christian life, watch sheep. And if you want to know something about me, watch a faithful shepherd.” (The Good Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm 23, pp. 23)

What have we learned so far about the shepherd?

He is the LORD Jehovah and He is my shepherd. He cares for me personally. He not only provides all that I need, He is all that I need. He gives me rest and refreshment. He restores me when I wander. He is Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. He knows me and I know Him.

What have we learned so far about sheep?

Sheep are not so smart, they are helpless and defenseless. They are easily frightened and totally dependent. They need the Shepherd to feed them, lead them, guide them and protect them. Never is this made clearer than in the phrase: Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Usually, people think “rod and staff” are the same things. But each is a different instrument.The word “rod” is more than a stick it is a club to beat off enemies, i.e., the wolf, bear, or robbers. It is protection against negative attacks.The word “staff” is used as a positive tool. It is used for direction, assistance in walking, pointing and lifting, etc.

The rod and staff together symbolize His presence, protection and guidance. They both in a graphic way summarize the shepherd’s role.


No doubt David used both in the events he described in……

1 Samuel 17:34-35
34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. NAS

v The Rod

According to Robinson,

The “rod” an oak club about two feet long, was used to defend the flock against
wild beasts. The rod had a round head, usually whittled from the knot of a tree
bough, into which the shepherd had pounded sharp bits of metal. A skillful
shepherd not only swung the club to smash the head of an attacker, but he could
also hurl the club like a missile over the heads of his flock to strike a wolf
lurking in the distance. (pp. 23)

Phillip Keller adds,

The rod was, in fact, an extension of the owner’s right arm. It stood as a
symbol of his strength, his power, his authority in any serious situation. The
rod was what he relied on to safeguard both himself and his flock in danger. And
it was, furthermore, the instrument he used to discipline and correct any
wayward sheep that insisted on wandering away. (A Shepherd Looks at the Psalm
23, pp. 93)

The rod was used by Moses as he was sent to deliver Israel out of Egypt and Pharaoh’s bondage. It was used to demonstrate the power vested in him. This rod was used to perform miracles, to not only convince Pharaoh but also to reassure God’s people.

The rod represents God’s expressed intent. It implies the authority of divinity. “It carries with it the convicting power and irrefutable impact of “Thus saith the Lord” (Keller pp. 94). In the same sense the Scripture is His rod. It is the extension of His mind and will and intentions to mortal man.

“Living as we do in an era when numerous confused voices and strange
philosophies are presented to people, it is reassuring to the child of God to
turn to the Word of God and know it to be His Shepherd’s hand of authority. What
a comfort to have this authoritative, clear-cut, powerful instrument under which
to conduct ourselves.” (Phillip Keller pp. 94-95)

The Shepherd uses the rod (a demonstration of His power and authority) in three ways…..

o For the defense of the sheep – 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17

The rod was used for both himself and the sheep and as both a defense and a deterrent against anything that would attack. Often the rod would be used to beat the brush discouraging snakes and other creatures from disturbing the flock.

What did the Lord Jesus use as He faced the serpent / snake Satan in the wilderness? He used the word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).

Whether it is as a snake in the grass or a roaring lion the word of God is the Rod we need for protection.

o For the discipline of the sheep – Psalm 119:11

Sometimes, herders would actually throw rods at recalcitrant sheep who were wandering away on their own or who were approaching poisonous weeds or getting too close to some other kind of danger. The rod would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch.

There is an old saying that goes something like this, “This book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this book.” When we get too close to sin the Spirit of God works with the Word of God to convict us and warn us of the danger. This will help us to stay on the paths of righteousness.

o For the detecting of problems in the sheep – Ezekiel 20:37; Psalm 139:23-24

In the evenings the shepherd would cause the sheep to pass under his staff one by one in order to count them.

Leviticus 27:32
32 'And for every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.

But there is more.

“As each animal comes out of the corral and through the gate, it is stopped by the shepherd’s outstretched rod. He opens the fleece with the rod; he runs his skillful hands over the body; he feels for any sign of trouble; he examines the sheep with care to see that all is well.” (Keller pp. 96)

There will be no pulling the wool over His (the Good Shepherd’s) eyes!

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

This process of examination and detection is comforting to us as sheep because we know that this is the only way that the Shepherd can find the hidden problems and deal with them. It tells us that the Shepherd cares for us!

v The Staff

“The shepherds staff, or crook, was sometimes hooked at one end. With the staff
the shepherd restrained the sheep from wandering or hooked their legs to pull
them out of holes into which they had fallen. He also used it to pull branches
aside when a sheep became tangled in a thicket or to beat back the high grass to
drive out serpents coiled in the path.” (Robinson, pp. 23)

Keller explains,

“In a sense the staff, more than any other item of his personal equipment,
identifies the shepherd as a shepherd. No one in any other profession carries a
shepherd’s staff. It is uniquely an instrument used for the care and management
of sheep – and only sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or hogs. It is
designed, shaped and adapted especially to the needs of sheep. And it is used
only for their benefit.” (pp. 99)

The staff is in essence a symbol of the compassion and care that a shepherd has for the sheep. Whereas the rod speaks of the authority of the shepherd, the staff speaks of the concern of the shepherd. The rod of God is emblematic of the Word of God and the staff of God is emblematic of the Spirit of God (cf. the consolation of the Spirit).

There are three areas of sheep management where the staff plays a role.

The first involves the drawing of sheep together into an intimate relationship.

The shepherd would often use the staff to lift a newborn lamb that had become separated from its mother. He would gently lift the lamb and set it beside its mother (using the staff so that the lamb does not bear the odor of the shepherd. In addition, the staff was used to reach out and catch an individual sheep so that he could draw it close for examination. In the same the Holy Spirit, the “Comforter” draws us together into warm fellowship with one another. cf. John 14:16-17

Philippians 2:1-2
1 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

2 Corinthians 13:14
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Secondly, the staff was used to guide the sheep and to help keep it on the right path.

In using it as such the shepherd was communicating to the sheep that he was there. It was an act of special attention that the sheep loved.

John 16:13
13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Through the gentle nudgings of the Holy Spirit we are reminded that we are “in touch” with Jesus, the shepherd.

“There is a calm, quiet repose in the knowledge that He is there to direct even
in the most minute details of daily living. He can be relied on to assist us in
every decision, and in this there lies tremendous comfort for the Christian.”
(Keller pp. 102)

The third use of the staff was to rescue sheep that were in danger.

These circumstances include such things as climbing onto cliffs for one more mouthful of grass, getting caught in briars and brambles and so on.

“Likewise with us. Many of our jams and impasses are of our own making. In
stubborn, self-willed, self-assertion we keep pushing ourselves into a situation
where we cannot extricate ourselves. Then in tenderness, compassion and care our
Shepherd comes to us. He draws near and in tenderness lifts us by His Spirit out
of the difficulty and dilemma. What patience God has with us! What longsuffering
and compassion! What forgiveness!” (Keller pp. 103)

“In His comfort God offers more than a pocket handkerchief to dry their tears—He offers them His power and His might” (Robinson, pp.23). The Shepherd is as tender as He is powerful. His power is always regulated by His love.

Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me is a statement of power and affection.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. NAS

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. NAS

Psalm 23 - Even Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

We come in our study to one of the most often quoted sections of Psalm 23 (especially for funeral sermons).

And why not because the phrase – “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me” includes some truly comforting words. Indeed, we all know that some day (unless the Lord returns for us first) we ourselves will walk through the “valley of the shadow of death.”

Yet as we look at the actual meaning of the phrase in the original, we will see that there is much more here than meets the eye.

The phrase “valley of the shadow of death” can be variously translated: “valley of deep darkness” (Van Gemeren) or the “darkest valley” (Kidner). The phrase “shadow of death” (or its derivatives “deep / thick darkness,” “darkness and black gloom,” “deep shadow,”) are used 18 times in the Old Testament (Psalm 23:4; 44:19; 107:10, 14; Job 3:5; 10:21-22; 16:16; 24:17; 28:3-4; Amos 5:8), plus the following:

Jeremiah 2:6
6 "And they did not say, 'Where is the LORD
Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt,
Who led us through the wilderness,
Through a land of deserts and of pits,
Through a land of drought and of deep darkness,
Through a land that no one crossed
And where no man dwelt?'

Jeremiah 13:16
16 Give glory to the LORD your God,
Before He brings darkness
And before your feet stumble
On the dusky mountains,
And while you are hoping for light
He makes it into deep darkness,
And turns it into gloom.

Every time the phrase (one word in Hebrew Strongs #6757) is used it conjures up the same sense of despair and hopelessness.


Derek Kidner says,

“valley of the shadow of death” can mean “the darkest valley” which would widen the reference of the verse to include other crises beside the final one (i.e. death), (pp. 111).

It is a broad phrase that represents any difficult experience of life that makes us afraid and it brings with it, loneliness, doubt, fear and disappointment, including death.

Now, this image is consistent with the shepherd metaphor because the shepherd leads the flock through ravines and wadis where the steep and narrow slopes keep out the light.

When we think of a valley we usually imagine a pleasant lowland sweep bounded by sloping hillsides (like the San Joaquin Valley) but that is not the picture here. The “valley” pictured here refers to a dreadful place—a home for vultures by day and a haven for wolves by night. It is a place of high craggy cliffs with deep ravines. It is a dangerous place of shadows and darkness.

While the valley is a dreadful place it is also a necessary place because it is the best way to the high country / mountain top. Verse 4 is related to verse 3 in that the right paths often go through the deepest darkest ravines.

James Montgomery Boice writes,

It is important to note that “the valley of the shadow of death” is as much God’s right path as the “green pastures” which lie beside the “quiet waters.” That is, the Christian life is not always tranquil nor, as we say, a mountain-top experience. God gives us valleys also. It is in the valleys with their trials and dangers that we develop character (pp. 211).

God does not generally “air lift” us to the mountain, rather the main way to “higher ground” is through the deep valleys or ravines. We have to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

But why? Why does God send us through the deep dark ravines of life in order to get to the higher ground? Again we can learn something from shepherding, something that David understood.

Phillip Keller gives three reasons why the shepherd would move his sheep to the high country through the valleys.

(1) It is the best route to the top – It affords a great deal of “personal” time between the sheep and the shepherd.

(2) It is the best watered route – mountain streams and deep pools of refreshing water are found along the way.

(3) It is where the richest food and best forage can be found.

For these very reasons the LORD will send us on the “right path” through the valley of the shadow of death.

What is true of sheep and the shepherd is also true of the saint and the Savior. The Lord knows that we can only reach the higher ground of the Christian life if we travel through the deep, dark valleys of suffering and adversity. It is through times of danger and despair, suffering and adversity that we can grow the closest to the Lord, that we can be refreshed by His Spirit and that we can be fed by His word.

James 1:2-5
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

1 Peter 1:6-9
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

This is the ultimate goal for us in life – to reach the outcome of our faith – Salvation.

Romans 8:18-30
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

We cannot experience “glorification” without experiencing the ultimate trip through the “valley of the shadow of death.” But here is the great truth for us to grasp, all along the way, He is there WITH us.

“For Thou art with me”

Notice that the pronouns change from He to (Thou) You. David changes from taking about the shepherd to talking to the shepherd. It also indicates to us that the Shepherd is no longer ahead, to lead, but alongside to escort.

“We are never so conscious of the presence of God as when we pass through life’s valleys.”

Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say,
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"

Because He is with us we no longer have to be afraid – “I fear no evil”

The Great Shepherd is always with us ready to protect us in moments of danger. How does the Lord make known His presence to us?

· Through other people
· Through music
· Through His word
· Through His Holy Spirit

I want to close with a discussion of “shadows.”

Shadows are illusions, they are not something real. What causes shadows, a barrier to the light or a distortion of the light? A shadow occurs when something is blocking the light. The point we need to grab hold of is that you cannot have shadows if you do not have light.Since shadows are caused by blocked light, what should our response be?

· Come to the light, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
· Walk in the light, “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness” (John 8:12)
· Stay in the light, “Shall have the light of life” (John 8:12)

Isaiah 9:1-2
1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.

Matthew 4:16
16 "The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light,
And to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a light dawned."

Luke 1:79
79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace."

John Phillips says,

Just as the shadow of a dog cannot bite and the shadow of a sword cannot kill, even so, the shadow of death cannot harm the child of God (pp. 177).

Hymn “Higher Ground”

I’m pressing on the upward way,New heights I’m gaining every day;Still praying as I’m onward bound,“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,By faith, on Heaven’s table land,A higher plane than I have found;Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stayWhere doubts arise and fears dismay;Though some may dwell where those abound,My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Refrain

I want to live above the world,Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;For faith has caught the joyful sound,The song of saints on higher ground.

Refrain

I want to scale the utmost heightAnd catch a gleam of glory bright;But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain

Psalm 23 - He Guides Me in the Paths of Righteousness

The next line from the Psalm 23 brings to mind for us three real dangers that the shepherd had to be on the look out for when it came to managing the sheep.

(1) The rutting and erosion of trails
(2) The over foraging of the land
(3) The infestation of the sheep

Phillip Keller writes,

Sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If left to themselves they will follow
the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to
desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with diseases and
parasites. Many of the world’s finest sheep ranges have been ruined beyond
repair by over-grazing, poor management and indifferent or ignorant sheep
owners. (A Shepherd Looks at the 23 Psalm, pp. 70)

This is why the good shepherd had to always be prepared to guide his sheep in the right paths to greener and cleaner pastures.

Keller adds,

The greatest single safeguard which a shepherd has in handling his flock is to
keep them on the move. That is to say, they dare not be left on the same ground
too long. They must be shifted from pasture to pasture periodically. This
prevents over-grazing of forage. It also avoids the rutting of trails and
erosion of land from over use. It forestalls the infestation of the sheep with
internal parasites or disease, since the sheep move off the infested ground
before these organisms complete their life cycles. (pp. 72)

In other words, there had to be a deliberate plan of action in place to rotate the sheep from field to field. The owner’s entire reputation and good name is at stake and is dependent on how well he managed his sheep.

Like sheep we too can find ourselves on the same old paths of life going to the same fields and staying there until we do real damage to the pasture and our own health and well being.

While the LORD wants us to be consistent and faithful in our lives, He also doesn’t want us to get in a rut. Rather He wants us to be on the go moving forward to the next green pasture that He has prepared ahead of time for us.



This is what life is really all about. We are on a journey. This world is not our home and there is the real sense in which the Shepherd doesn’t want us to get too comfortable with the here and now.

In addition, the Shepherd has a predetermined plan for our lives. There are “right paths” for us to follow. Consequently there is also the possibility of getting on the wrong path as well.

Haddon W. Robinson says,

“Many authors have looked at human beings as weary travelers journeying across a
great expanse of wilderness called life. A thousand voices and a thousand paths
beckon us. For the most part we wander on in bewilderment, slipping into the
first path that attracts us. When we discover that it ends in rocks and
thickets, we try another one…… Seeking to find our way unguided is both
difficult and dangerous.” (The Good Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm 23, pp. 17)

This is why the Shepherd’s guidance is so important. He knows the paths that we should be walking on because He knows where we should be going.

Þ But there is more to it than that.

When God leads us in the right paths He not only directs us to the right places, but He leads us to the right kind of life. God’s leading is not so much to a place as to a righteous life and character. In other words, God’s guidance has to do with what I am, not where I am.

That is why David calls them “paths of righteousness.”

One of the ways God leads us is by feeding us (green pastures). He works through His word to show us His will. He reveals to us where He wants us to go and what He wants us to be.

(1) He wants to lead us to salvation

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(2) He wants to lead us to a Spirit-filled life

Ephesians 5:15-18
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

(3) He wants to lead us to sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

(4) He wants to lead us submission

1 Peter 2:13-15
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

(5) He wants to lead us into suffering

1 Peter 3:13-17
13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

(6) He wants to lead us to thankful spirits

1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

The key is found in Romans 12:1-2

1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Þ If we are what God wants us to be, then He will place us where He wants us to be.

The shepherd not only knows our name but He also knows both His purpose for us and our potential.

Notice David says “He guides me.” His guidance grows out of a personal relationship. God doesn’t give us a road map and tell us to follow it rather He Himself goes before us and takes us to the place of His choosing.

“For His name’s sake”

This phrase reminds us that He has a reputation to keep. If a shepherd were to take his flock into the wilderness and then leave them there or to lose them to wolves he would be disgraced.

It is for the sake of God’s (the Good Shepherd’s) name that He will not lead us astray. It is for the sake of His character, for the sake of His name that He leads us (His sheep) safely home.

Phillip Keller writes,

The intelligent shepherd is aware of all of this. Not only just for the welfare
of his sheep and the health of his land, but also for his own sake and
reputation as rancher, he must take the necessary precautions to safeguard
against these adverse animal traits. Such habits in themselves, comprise very
serious hazards. (pp. 72)

There is also another aspect of this for us to consider:

In the Bible, names have meaning and are of great importance. A person’s character was conveyed by a name. This was especially true of God. cf. LORD – Jehovah

What people believe about the Lord depends on what they see in those of us who bear His name. The Lord our Shepherd guides us in the paths of righteousness so that He might reveal Himself to the world through us.

Here is the problem: We are stubborn like sheep – “stiff-necked”

Isaiah 53:6
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
NAS

Stiff-necked has in it the idea of destructive self-determination, thinking we know what’s best for ourselves.

Just as sheep will blindly, habitually and stupidly follow one another along the same trails until they become ruts we as human beings cling to the same self-destructive habits that have brought ruin to other’s lives.

Turning my own way simply means doing what “I” want.

Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, on the other hand says,

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

John 10:10
10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

Our problem is that we don’t want to follow and we don’t want to be led in the paths of righteousness. We would rather go our own way even though the path we are on leads to certain trouble. Broken homes, broken lives, and broken hearts everywhere constantly remind us that people want to go their own way.

How can we keep from wandering off the beaten path?

(1) Instead of loving myself most I must seek to love Christ first and others second and myself last.

This kind of love is a costly thing….

1 John 3:16
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

(2) Instead of being a part of the crowd I must be willing to be singled out and set apart.

Mark 8:34
34 And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

(3) Instead of insisting on my own rights I must be willing to forego them for the benefit of others.

Matthew 18:1-6
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.

(4) Instead of finding fault with life and always asking “Why?” I must be willing to accept every circumstance of life with gratitude.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

(5) Instead of asserting my will I must learn to accept and cooperate with His will.

Jeremiah 29:11
11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

John 10:27
27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; NAS

He Guides Me

He doesn’t……
· Trick me
· Drive me
· Beg me
· Cajole me
· Bribe me
· Drag me
……in the paths of righteousness, rather He guides us! He shepherds us! He leads us!

Exodus 13:21
21 And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Someone has reminded us that all of the promises here are in the present tense.
· He makes me
· He leads me
· He restores me
· He guides me
· Thou art with me…..

According to Herbert Lockyer, This tells us that the care of the shepherd is ever present and never fails. How true!

Psalm 23 - He Restores My Soul

He Restores my Soul

How does the Shepherd help us not to want?

He makes me lie down in green pastures – He Provides REST
He leads me beside still waters – He Provides REFRESHMENT
He restores my Soul – He Provides RECOVERY & REINVIGORATION

There have been two general ways in which to understand this line of the Psalm.

Interpretation #1 – It refers to recovery with an emphasis on repentance

In this understanding David is talking about the sheep that goes astray and how he is brought back or recovered by God. i.e. He restores me when I wander.

After all, it is the very essence of the sin nature for us to desire to do our own thing.

Isaiah 53:6
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

David of all people understood this! (For background and context refer to 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:1-15).

It is interesting to read David’s prayer of confession in Psalm 51. It certainly reflects his understanding of how a shepherd would help restore a wayward sheep.

Psalms 51:8
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice.
This reminds us of the practice of the shepherd carrying that wandering sheep on his shoulders after he has broken its leg and then bound it up. When we wander God our Shepherd must sometimes break a bone or two to lead us to a place of repentance and recovery in our lives.

Psalms 28:9
9 Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.

Isaiah 46:4
4 Even to your old age, I shall be the same,
And even to your graying years I shall bear you!
I have done it, and I shall carry you;
And I shall bear you, and I shall deliver you.

1 Peter 2:24-25
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

How does He restore our souls? He uses the word of God.

Psalms 19:7
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

What is the result of restoration?

Psalms 51:8, 10-12
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Thy presence,
And do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation,
And sustain me with a willing spirit.



Interpretation #2 – It refers to reinvigoration with an emphasis on revival

In this understanding David is talking about the sheep that has been cast down and is set right or revived and by God. i.e. He restores my soul when I am weak and weary.

The word “restore” here has in it the idea of reinvigorating something, infusing it with life, bringing it back to health. The word “soul” here has in it the idea of “me” (cf. v. 2, 3b-4). Not the spiritual substance but the physical and psychological substance of who I am.

Why would someone in the care of the “Good Shepherd” need restoring? Could one of His sheep become so distressed in mind and body that they would need restoration?

Yes, we have an example (one of many in the Old Testament) in David himself. Even though he was much loved by God, he knew what it was like to be cast down and dejected. He had tasted defeat and felt the frustration of having fallen back in his walk with God. He knew what it was like to feel hopeless and without strength.

Psalms 42:11
11 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance, and my God.

There is an exact parallel to this in caring for sheep – those that are “cast” or “cast down.” This is an old English term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get back up again by itself.

According to Phillip Keller,

A “cast” sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air,
it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it
will bleat a little for help, but generally it just lies there lashing about in
frightened frustration. (A Shepherd Looks at the 23 Psalm, pp. 60)

If the owner of the cast sheep does not show up within a short time, the sheep will die. A good shepherd is there every day counting his sheep making sure that they are all upright standing on their feet. If one or two are missing a shepherd’s first thought is that they are cast down somewhere. He then leaves the flock in good care and takes off to search for his missing sheep.

Interestingly, predators are well aware of the helplessness of cast sheep because they are easy prey. According to Keller even the fattest, strongest and healthiest sheep can become cast down. In fact it is usually the fattest sheep that become cast.

Keller describes how this happens,

A heavy, fat, or long fleeced sheep will lie down comfortably in some little
hollow or depression in the ground. It may roll on its side to stretch out or
relax. Suddenly the center of gravity in the body shifts so that it turns on its
back far enough that the feet no longer touch the ground. It may feel a sense of
panic and start to paw frantically. Frequently, this only makes things worse. It
rolls over even further. Now it is quite impossible for it to regain its
feet.

As it lies there struggling, gases begin to build up in the rumen. As these expand they tend to retard and cut off blood circulation to extremities of the body, especially the legs. If the weather is very hot and sunny a cast sheep can die in a few hours. If it is cool and cloudy and rainy it may survive in this position for several days. (pp. 61-62)

There is a great deal of responsibility laid at the feet of the shepherd in keeping count of the flock and saving and restoring cast sheep. Any sign of buzzards circling over head was a grim reminder of this constant danger.

This drama of this scene is played out for us in Luke 15:3-7 (more on this later).

Keller writes,

As soon as I reached the cast ewe my very first impulse was to pick it up.
Tenderly I would roll the sheep over on its side. This would relieve the
pressure of gases in the rumen. If she has been down for long I would have to
lift her onto her feet. Then straddling the sheep with my legs I would hold her
erect, rubbing her limbs to restore the circulation to her legs. This often took
quite a little time. When the sheep started to walk again she often stumbled,
staggered and collapsed in a heap once more.

All the time I worked on the cast sheep I would talk to it gently, “When are you going to learn to stand on your own feet?” – “I’m so glad I found you in time – you rascal!” And so the conversation would go. Always couched in language that combined tenderness and rebuke, compassion and correction.

Little by little the sheep would regain its equilibrium. It would start to walk steadily and surely. By and by it would dash away to rejoin the others, set free from its fears and frustrations, given another chance to live a little longer. (pp. 63)

Many people have the idea that when a child of God falls, when he is cast down that God becomes disgusted and fed-up with them. As our shepherd however, He experiences the same feelings of care and concern for us as a shepherd does for one of his cast sheep.

Matthew 9:35-36
35 And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.

How do we (sheep) end up being cast down?

(1) Soft Spots

The sheep that choose the comfortable, soft, rounded hollows in the ground in which to lie down very often become cast. In such a situation it is easy to roll over on their backs. For the Christian there is the danger of becoming too complacent and comfortable with how things are. Always looking for the easy place, the cozy corner, the comfortable position where there is no hardship, no need for endurance, no demand for self-discipline. When we get to the point where we think that we have made it, we are in danger of being cast down. Self-indulgence is a dangerous thing.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

(2) Too Much Wool

Many times sheep become cast down because of the weight of their own wool. A long fleece can become easily matted with mud, manure, burrs and other debris.

Interestingly, wool is a metaphor in the Scripture for the old self. It is the outward expression of an inner attitude, the assertion of our own desires and ambitions. It represents the area of our lives that is in closest contact with the world around us. Things like, worldly possessions, ideas, attitudes and activities can cling to us and easily accumulate, so much so that they begin to weigh us, drag us, and hold us down.

No High Priest was ever allowed to wear wool when he entered the Holy of Holies, because it represented self, pride, and personal preference, things that were anathema to God.

A sheep that had too long and too heavy of a fleece needed immediate attention. They needed to be sheared!

The same is true of us. When the old self begins to weigh us down it needs to be cut-off. We need to be shaved clean of the worldly gunk and stuff that accumulates and clings to us. We need to be restored, revived, and reinvigorated by the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

(3) Too Fat

Most of us will at sometime in our life find ourselves cast down. Often it happens to us when we are fat from the word and seemingly healthful and strong. A shepherd that determined a sheep was being cast down because of it weight would take immediate, but long term plans, including rationing and stricter discipline.

All too often the Lord must step into action with us to make us leaner and more disciplined. Mainly He does this through trials and tribulations.

James 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Peter 1:6-9
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

To paraphrase Charles Spurgeon: When the soul grows sorrowful He revives it; when it is sinful He sanctifies it; when it is weak He strengthens it. He does it.

The same hand which first rescued us from ruin reclaims us from all our subsequent aberrations.

What good is it to have green pastures but a black soul…….what good is it to have still waters and turbulent spirits.

Back to Luke 15:3-7

3 And He told them this parable, saying, 4 "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. NAS

Contrast the attitudes of the Pharisees (who were supposed to be undershepherds but in reality they could care less about the sheep) with that of Jesus who cared for all.

Ezekiel 34:1-2
1 Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD," Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?

Ezekiel 34:4
4 "Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.

Ezekiel 34:10-12
10 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I shall demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I shall deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be food for them."' "
11 For thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 "As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.

Since the undershepherds of Israel had failed, God himself would shepherd and rescue His people.

Ezekiel 34:22-24
22 therefore, I will deliver My flock, and they will no longer be a prey; and I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. 24 "And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Jesus Christ is that David to come. He is the Good Shepherd. Let Him restore your soul today.

A Mother's Day Sermon

“BEING A PARENT WORTHY OF HONOR”

A story is told of four men arguing over the best Bible translation.

The first man said that he liked the King James Version of the Bible best because of the beauty and reverence of the language. The second man insisted the New American Standard Bible was better because of its accuracy to the original text. The third said he preferred the New International Version because of its readability. The fourth man thought for a moment then said: “Personally, I have always preferred my mother’s translation.” After the other three stopped chuckling, he responded, “Yes, she translated it. She translated each page of the Bible into life. It is the most convincing translation I ever saw!”

Indeed that Mother was worthy of honor - which is what we do each year on this special day! We honor our Mothers. And that is the right thing to do, because scripture clearly tells us we are to honor our mothers and fathers.

In the Old Testament the principle was established by God in the giving of the Law. Exodus 20:12

12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
NAS

In the New Testament the principle is reiterated by the Apostle Paul in the epistles. Ephesians 6:1-3

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. NAS

The commandment to Honor our Parents is unique in that it is the only one of the Ten Commandments given that comes with an explicit promise attached to it, “That you may live long on the earth.”

You see God takes seriously our response to those in authority over us, and He does not tolerate Rebellion! The ultimate expression of rebellion is seen in disrespect toward parents! Parents are to be honored because of who they are!

Our focus this today however; is not going to be on the response of the children to honor their parents, but on the life of the parent! I want to ask the question: “Is your life worthy of Honor”? Do you live in such a way that your children want to honor you? Do you live an honorable life before them?

You see, no one can make your children honor you, although they should because it is the right thing to do. How you live before them will go a long way toward giving them extra motivation to honor you! How you live will make it easy for them to be obedient, respectful, and willing to show you Honor!

How then should we live so that our children will want to honor us?

Adrian Rogers in his book “Ten Secrets for a Successful Family” (Crossway Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1996, pp. 89-99) gives five simple ways in which we can gain not only our children’s honor, but also prepare them by example how to live for Lord. The purpose being that they themselves can grow up to be Honor-Worthy parents!

I want to take those five ways, expand on them and share them with you this morning.

How do we gain our children’s Honor?

I. BY LOVING THEM - I Corinthians 13:1-8a, 13

No passage better defines how we should love our children than
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a.

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; NAS

In this passage Paul describes for us the importance of love (v.1-3); the characteristics of love (v.4-6); and the scope of love (v.7-8a).

The Importance of Love – v.1-3

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

As parents we need to realize that no matter how religious we are or how spiritually gifted we are, if we do not exhibit real love in our relationships, we are just making noise.

2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If our faith was so strong that we could move mountains, without love it wouldn’t matter.

3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Even if we were the most liberal and generous parents, but did not love our families, our sacrifice and effort would make no difference.

The Characteristics of love – v.4-6

How do we know if love is really important to us?

4 [we are] patient, [we are] kind, and [we are] not jealous; [we do not brag and [we are] not arrogant, 5 [we do] not act unbecomingly; [we do] not seek [our] own, [we are] not [easily] provoked, [we do] not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 [we do] not rejoice in unrighteousness, but [we] rejoices with the truth;

The Scope of Love – v.7-8

When we practice real love, we will 7 bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. 8 Love never fails

What are some practical ways in which parents (both mothers and fathers) can express love for their children? According to Rogers, we practically show our love for our families through time, touch, tender care and prayer.

Time

Real parental love is based on giving children what they need not what they want, however by giving them your time you can fulfill both their needs and their wants!! I realize that in our busy, hectic society time is a valuable commodity, but our children are our most valuable commodity! Mom and Dad, your children don’t need things and stuff, they don’t need to be plopped in front of the 19” babysitter (television) what they need is YOU! Another way in which we can practically express our love for our children is through touch.

Touch

I am concerned about the lack of affection I see in our society within families. I truly believe that many of our problems we are having with our teenagers and pre-teens are due to a lack of real affection at home!

Adrian Rogers says: “Did you know that frequent hugs are one good way to keep your children from growing up to be sexually impure? A girl who enjoys her father’s hugs of affection is less likely to trade sexual intimacy for affection later. Hug your kids often. Hug them playfully, even when that teen-age boy says, ‘Aw, Mom’ and tries to pull away. Inside, he still wants you to hug him, so just go ahead and do it. And, Dad, you hug your boy too.”

One vivid memory I have is of my mom and Dad coming home after work and always wanted to be greeted at the door with a hug and a hello! I know that this is hard for some of you. “But Jim, I never received that kind of affection when I was growing up!” Your coldness is no excuse for holding back the affection your children need!

What did the Father of the Prodigal Son do when his son came home? He “fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20)! They were grown men!! Look at Jesus’ affection for His disciples! My friends if they don’t get real, genuine familial affection at home, they will get it somewhere else, whether through gang or sexual promiscuity or some way else. Another way in which we can practically express our love for our children is through tender care.

Tender Care

How do we express tender care?

We express tender care through our words

Do you express to your children that you believe in them and have high hopes for them? Do you bless them and comfort them? Do you tell them that you love them? Do you tell them that they are special?

We express tender care through our sympathy

Do you share in their joys and sorrows? Do you cry when they cry, laugh when they laugh, hurt when they hurt?

We express tender care by listening

“Sit down and listen and you will communicate your love without saying a word” (Rogers).

Listening takes time and hard work! Don’t just hear but listen!
There is the story of the family who was sitting down at the table to eat dinner. As they began to eat, Little Johnny asked his mom, “Are worms good to eat”? The mother who had a weak stomach, did not appreciate the question and replied, “Johnny if you say anything else while we are eating I am going to send you to your room”! After dinner she said to the little boy, “Johnny, I want to know why you would ask such a question at the dinner table? Eating worms, what was that all about?” Johnny replied, “Because, I saw one in your Salad before you ate him”! Then the Mom did get sick! Sometimes it is best for us to listen fully to our children!

For some of us, the only exercise we get with our children is jumping to conclusions. Sometimes if we will really listen we might find out that we are wrong about something and they have a valid point to make. But, we can’t know that if we aren’t listening.

We express tender care by praying for them

The most tender, loving thing we can do for our children is to pray for them and with them! It is at prayer time that I find out about what is really on my children’s mind!

So, the first way in which we gain our children’s honor is by loving them: expressed through time, touch and tender care. The second way in which we can gain the honor of our children is…..

II. BY LIMITING THEM - I SAMUEL 3:13

13 For I have told him [Eli] that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. NAS

It takes firm restrictions to set children free, and it is our responsibility to liberate our kids by limiting them! This is the paradox of parenting! Eli did not set limits for his children and it cost them, society and Eli himself dearly!

The Garden of Eden is a good example of the importance of setting limits. God set them for Adam and Eve. He provided for them all that they needed and He also used the limits to keep them from what would be harmful to them. Like Adam and Eve our children will test our limits, over and over again!

They do so because the Limits we establish for them give them a sense of security. If we do not hold them to those limits they lose their sense of security and it causes them to act out in a sense of rejection.

Adrian Rogers says: “Society in general looks upon rule setting as something bad, but it’s one of the most valuable things a parent can do. There’s something wrong with many of the young people in our evangelical churches today...they can’t tell right from wrong. What a job Satan is doing on the next generation. We need to ask the age-old question, ‘if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ Psalm 11:3 If our children don’t learn to live within limits now, when will they?”

Rogers goes on to say,

Our society is being systematically seduced away from the idea that life has limits and that there is such a thing as moral absolutes. One top Hollywood producer of situation comedies is supposed to have said that it was his sincere belief that for any television script to be a commercial success, it must break at least three of the Ten Commandments!

My friends what are the Ten Commandments, but Limits that a loving God set for His people so that they might know how to be good citizens and good people!!

What are you laughing at on T.V. in front of your children?

The whole point of getting you to laugh at something is to get you to take it less seriously. Is it any wonder that we have such a problem with limiting ourselves and our children?

Not only do we need to set limits - But we need to establish consequences for transgressing those Limits! Scripture is clear that there must be consequences for stepping over moral boundaries. It is called Discipline!

Proverbs 29:15 sums up the thought of many other scriptures when it says: “The Rod and Reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (cf. Prov. 10:1; 15:5; 17:21,25; 19:13,26; 28:24).

The rod represents what we do to discipline our children, it is physical correction.
Reproof is what we say to discipline our children, it is verbal correction.

John MacAthur: “Let a child have his own way, impose no consequences for his misbehavior, let him rule his own life - in short, ‘liberate him’ [from limits] - and neither you nor society will want to live the with product. If parents don’t work with their children to help them be obedient, they will have a lot of this pain the world has. It’s not easy, but we must teach them to obey. And the only way we will ever teach our children to obey is to make them pay the consequences of their misbehavior.”

If you love your children and want them to honor you, then set limits for them and establish consequences for disobedience and then follow through. We gain our children’s honor by Loving them, by Limiting them and thirdly we gain their honor by lifting them.

III. BY LIFTING THEM

By this, I mean building them up through wise encouragement and praise.

Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

Fathers here is the Greek word pateres which can refer to both mother and father and is translated as “parents” in Hebrews 11:23.

How do we discourage our children?

1. Overprotection
2. Favoritism
3. Pushing for Achievement
4. Failure to allow for childishness
5. Neglect
6. Withholding Approval and Affection
7. Cruel Punishment
8. Constant Criticism

How do we encourage them and lift them up?

1. Encourage them to develop independence
2. Be fair and treat them as individuals
3. Encourage them to develop healthy interests that they
4. Pay attention to there needs and desires
5. Give lots of verbal and physical approval

The fourth way in which we gain the honor of our children is by leading them.

IV. BY LEADING THEM - Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. (NAS)

The key word is “train,” we train by example. This means that we show them how to live, how to treat others, how to obey God’s word, how to be loyal, how to be honest etc. Where do children do their greatest learning about how to act? School? Church? Media? Friends? Where should they be learning how to act? HOME!!!!
True Character is caught more than taught!

If we do not lead by example how will they know how to live? Training involves both visual and verbal interaction. Your children need to both see and hear how to act! They need both explanation and example.

Now remember Proverbs 22:6 is not an iron clad promise, but rather a general principle. Adrian Rogers says,

“A proverb is a general principle that when generally applied brings general results.”

“It is a short sentence based on long experience”.

There are Proverbs that tell you how to be wealthy. That does not mean that everybody who follows those principles will automatically be wealthy. But, those who are wealthy follow those principles. In the same way, not every parent who trains up a child in the way he should go, will see their child follow the right path. Those whose children follow the right path, train up their children in the way they should go!

The reason that Proverbs 22:6 is not an absolute promise is because it does not address the issue of free will. Every child has a will of their own and must ultimately choose to be obedient and to follow the right path. They must choose to follow the training of the parent. Adam and Eve again serve as an example of free will. God gave them everything they needed - yet they still chose to Rebel!

There must be a balanced approach to how we view our success as parents. I truly believe that parents play a crucial role in the outcome of their children, yet if a child fails to walk rightly, it does not necessarily mean it is the parents fault. If you are doing or have done everything you can to “train up your child in the way they should go”, then you have done all you can do. Just keep praying. There are no perfect parents. Relieve yourself of that burden (there are bad parents but no perfect ones)!

How do we gain the honor of our children? We earn their honor by loving them, by limiting them, by lifting them, by leading them and finally by laughing with them.

V. BY LAUGHING WITH THEM -

If you want to be an honorable parent, lighten up! Now I did not say “loosen up.” I am not telling you to compromise your convictions in any way. In fact, we need more parents with strong convictions about how to raise their children. But we need to learn how to laugh with our children. We need to make our homes places of Joy and Laughter.

Human beings are the only creatures of God that can weep, blush and laugh. Our emotions are a part of what it means to be made in God’s image. As part of that laughter is God’s gift to us. We need to be able to laugh at innocent mistakes, ours and theirs. We need to allow ourselves and our children to be a little silly, once in awhile.

I can think of numerous times where we as a family would just start laughing. One time Debbie and the girls and me were sitting on the couch and talking and we were being really silly. The girls started giggling and then it spread to us. Soon, we were all laughing at each other because we were all laughing!

Again, I quote from Adrian Rogers:

“Make your home the happiest place on the block, and your children will rise up and bless you for it. Let your house ring with laughter. Let your children see you laugh in times of trouble, because it means God is over it all.”

What about you Moms?

• Do your children rise up and call you blessed?


• Do they Honor you because of the way you live?


• Do you love them? Expressed in your Time, Touch, and Tender Care?


• Do you limit them by setting boundaries and establishing consequences?


• Do you lift them up with words of encouragement and praise?


• Do you lead them by example, training them through your words and works?


• Do you laugh with them? Is your home a happy place?

There is a song that Debbie sings from time to time that goes something like this.

“The greatest gift a father can give is a life lived for Jesus..
The greatest gift a mother can give is the knowledge of the Lord...
Pass Him on to your children... He’s the gift that keeps on given....the greatest gift....is a life lived for Jesus.....”

What are you passing on to your children?