The Comfort of Being a Sheep (Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

June 25, 2017 Sermon Notes

Psalm 23 is a comforting and familiar piece of Scripture. These characteristic are particularly helpful in the context in which this passage is most often heard, funerals. In difficult and grief-filled moments it is critical to be reminded of God’s protection, provision, and guidance.

The depth of meaning that this passage has for many people was demonstrated at my grandpa’s funeral fifteen years ago. One of my cousins had volunteered to read Psalm 23 as part of the service. When it came time to read, my cousin was overcome by emotion. Only the first half of the first line came out, “the Lord is my shepherd…” My cousin’s voice trailed off and tears began to well up. There was silence.

Eventually a voice from the back of the sanctuary a voice picked up where my cousin left off, “…I shall not want.” Then another voice joined in. “…he maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” By the third verse the entire congregation had joined together in reciting the King James Version of Psalm 23. No one coordinated it. The familiarity of that text united that congregation in a profound statement of trust we had in Christ as our Good Shepherd.

Sometimes sheep stink

For most of us, the shepherd imagery is very reassuring. We have mental images of verdant fields and cotton ball lambs grazing peacefully. We like this image of God and imagine ourselves in that field with a storybook Jesus contentedly smiling in the background.

The problem with that fairy tale image is the actual reality of sheep. Without putting too fine a point on it, sheep are not the brightest creatures in the barnyard. Left to their own devices sheep would not last long in the wild. They routinely run off. Sheep get themselves stuck in the fence. They forget to come in out of the rain. Sometimes sheep stink. Quite simply, as much as we hate to admit it, sheep are a lot like you and me.

This is why the image of the Lord as our shepherd is so important. The God who provides the provisions we need is also the one who guides us through the realities of life. Death and grief are not denied. The world around us is rough and enemies are real. Through it all, however, we have a shepherd who will continue to anoint us with grace, peace, and forgiveness.

What does it mean to be a sheep in God’s flock? First of all, it means that we are freed from the pressure of being our own shepherd. The history of our lives and of the world itself demonstrates that humanity is terrible at living on our own. We wander off. We get ourselves into trouble. We routinely forget to move away from danger.

Praying the Psalms

Recognizing Jesus as our Good Shepherd allows us to find green pastures, quiet waters, and refreshment for our souls. Using Psalm 23 as a guide for prayer is a powerful way to open ourselves up to what God is doing in our lives. The very familiarity of the text serves as a perfect framework for doing so.

For example, you could start by reading or reciting the passage as a way to bring it back to mind. Then use the words as a way to jump off into a personalized conversation with God. Use the structure of the Psalm to guide the prayer.

In his May 16, 2015 blog post, Christ Community Church pastor Scotty Smith from Franklin, Tennessee, provides an example of how this could happen:

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

Dear Lord Jesus, you are my shepherd, my Good Shepherd. You give me everything I need and more than I want. All I need in life is you, plus what you choose to give me.

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Even the most difficult places in life are like green meadows as long as you are there; and in the desert seasons of my journey and the drought like conditions of my heart, you quench my thirst with living water and give me a peace that passes all understanding.

3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

By your grace I’ve learned to boast in my weakness, and pose and pretend less. For when I come to the end of my strength, you faithfully meet me there—granting me rest in my weariness and strength for my tired heart and body. I am so grateful that you have both marked the path for me, and that you yourself are my Way, Truth and Life. I want to honor your name much more than I want to go my way and get my way.

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Jesus, you never promised me that the journey towards the new heaven and new earth would be easy, quick, or without seasons and circumstances that are overwhelming; but you have promised never to leave or forsake me, even in the darkest valley. That’s all I really need to know—that you are close and that you love me, and that you won’t let anything happen to me outside of your perfect plan for my life. Even when you have to discipline me, the goal is my comfort and always your glory.

5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Jesus, you are taking me to the feast of all feasts—the wedding feast of the Lamb; but long before that Day, you, yourself are my portion, banquet and feast—Bread from Heaven, my nourishment and satisfaction. Though enemies threaten, you feed me, anoint my life with your grace and Spirit, and cause my cup to spill over with blessings, for the benefit of others.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Absolutely nothing will keep me out of the new heaven and new earth; and, just as certainly, nothing can possibly separate me from your goodness and unfailing love—at any time or in any place. Until the Day I long for more than any other arrives, I rest in your love and trust in your grace. Jesus, thank you for your promise to never stop pursing me. So very Amen I pray, in your glorious and powerful name.