WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.919 It would be difficult to point to a psalm that is as familiar and well known as Psalm 23. 00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:20.160 ! Its words have comforted countless people in bereavement, in periods of uncertainty in their life, when you're not real sure what's happening and what's going to happen. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:24.640 In moments of serious affliction and trial. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:29.560 And it's for good reason that it has brought such tremendous comfort. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:43.679 In fantastic imagery, the psalm portrays our tender and loving God who is faithful to provide and faithful to protect and faithful to bless. 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:51.539 Not only meeting the needs that we have, but often overflowing us with blessing and goodness from His hand. 00:00:51.539 --> 00:01:04.180 And in the midst of grief and the prospect of danger, what could be more comforting to know that God Almighty is with you, that He promises to carry you through. 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:08.340 So, Psalm 23 brings tremendous comfort to us, doesn't it? 00:01:08.360 --> 00:01:09.500 It's a much beloved psalm. 00:01:09.580 --> 00:01:12.660 Most of you probably have it memorized even. 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:16.240 That brings me to another point about the psalm. 00:01:16.300 --> 00:01:24.300 And that is, as with many passages that are familiar like this one, it can also be somewhat dangerous for us if we're not careful. 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:37.120 It's not uncommon for someone to seek comfort from this psalm without ever considering how the blessings of the psalm are actually applied to us. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:51.660 We can often too quickly move to personal application with a psalm like this, missing the true hope that the psalm means to provide. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:02:03.420 And when we do that, we sometimes are guilty of universally applying a psalm like this. 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:10.519 Attempting to give comfort to people that actually, even according to the Scriptures, have no right to these words. 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:20.680 Even among unbelievers in the secular world, books have been written about how Psalm 23 has become a secular icon as far as Scriptures are concerned. 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:28.800 Even from those who want nothing to do with Christianity, they come to something like Psalm 23 and they try to seek comfort in it and they try to seek rest. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:31.680 But the truth is they have no right to these words. 00:02:31.819 --> 00:02:34.540 There's no comfort for them here. 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:39.500 As Christopher Ashe said, they are dangerous words. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:47.580 For this poem can nurture a false assurance and a misleading feeling of security. 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:51.380 And that's what I want to try to help us sort out this morning. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:03:03.440 While Psalm 23 is for us, what I want to show you is that Psalm 23 is not actually about us. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:05.080 It's for us. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.120 It's not about us. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:15.599 So before we too quickly move to this personal application in our attempts to find comfort in our grief, which we can find here. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:20.140 But before we jump too quickly there, we want to see what is this Psalm actually about? 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:23.520 What is it that David intended for us to see here? 00:03:23.640 --> 00:03:26.900 What is it that God means for us to understand? 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:39.939 Because it's only when we grasp this fact and trust the Lord on the basis of it that this amazing Psalm will actually truly bring us comfort. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:47.540 So I want to show you who this Psalm is actually about so that you will know whether or not these words are actually for you. 00:03:48.040 --> 00:03:51.640 And whether or not the comfort you feel from them is legitimate. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:53.640 Let's read it together. 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:56.019 A Psalm of David. 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.619 The Lord Yahweh is my shepherd. 00:04:01.559 --> 00:04:03.000 I shall not one. 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:07.059 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:04:07.679 --> 00:04:10.179 He leads me beside still waters. 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:13.000 He restores my soul. 00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:18.620 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:23.399 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:26.759 I will fear no evil for you are with me. 00:04:27.719 --> 00:04:30.979 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:36.039 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:37.839 You anoint my head with oil. 00:04:38.179 --> 00:04:40.139 My cup overflows. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:47.399 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:52.599 And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:53.699 Amen. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:59.419 David, of course, is the author of the Psalm, which is a note that always matters. 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:07.639 Whenever we're studying through the Psalm, if it's from David, we know that there is a certain significance to it that we need to pay attention to. 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:11.300 And that's what we've been trying to do as we're marching through the Psalms together. 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:15.199 And we know that as a boy, David worked as a shepherd. 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:27.840 So it's no surprise that he would at some point write a Psalm just like this one that uses this kind of imagery of a shepherd who leads and cares for and protects his sheep. 00:05:28.780 --> 00:05:34.540 And I want you to remember that when we come to Psalm 23, David didn't write Psalm 23 as a shepherd. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:39.160 David wrote Psalm 23 as a king. 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:44.900 Now, shepherding is a common metaphor for leadership, particularly in the Bible. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:48.020 Husbands are shepherds of their homes. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:51.620 Pastors are shepherds of their congregations. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:57.280 And in the ancient world, a king was called the shepherd of his people. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:06.259 So if we step back and we just kind of examine the big picture of David's life, we find that as a boy, David is a keeper of sheep. 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:08.359 He's a shepherd in the fields. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:15.500 That foreshadowing how he will become a shepherd in Israel and a king. 00:06:16.679 --> 00:06:19.479 We read in 2 Samuel 5, 2, 00:06:19.479 --> 00:06:20.739 And the Lord said to David, 00:06:21.119 --> 00:06:26.879 You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:30.979 We read again in Psalm 78, 70, and 71, 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:37.959 He chose David, his servant, to take him from the sheepfolds, from that early life in the fields, 00:06:38.179 --> 00:06:40.299 from following the nursing news. 00:06:40.559 --> 00:06:47.719 He brought him to shepherd Jacob, his people, the nation of Israel, his inheritance. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:56.840 But still, David did not write Psalm 23 from the perspective of a shepherd king. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:01.580 Though he writes it as a king, he's not writing from the perspective of a shepherd king. 00:07:01.760 --> 00:07:05.520 He's writing rather from the perspective of a sheep. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.420 He's a sheep here. 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:13.500 As the shepherd of Israel, David tells us, 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:16.780 A greater shepherd cares for him. 00:07:17.580 --> 00:07:20.780 A greater shepherd cared for the king. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:26.660 And this contemplation is evident in how personal the psalm reads. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:33.700 Maybe as David sat and he thought about his years in the fields of Bethlehem, 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:37.400 maybe as he's thinking about his role as the shepherd of Israel, 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:40.660 he declares, Yahweh is my shepherd. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:45.220 I may be a shepherd for them, but he is my shepherd. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:49.160 And with him, I lack nothing. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:54.180 Some of you will remember Mr. and Mrs. Kuo, a Taiwanese couple. 00:07:54.280 --> 00:07:57.500 He was a pastor for many years that attended our church for a few years. 00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:00.380 And one day he came and he gave me a gift. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:05.760 It was a, he used Chinese calligraphy and he had written it all in Chinese. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:07.780 I had no idea what it was and he wouldn't tell me what it was. 00:08:08.200 --> 00:08:10.000 He said, I was just going to have to try to figure it out. 00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:13.420 So I took it home and got Google Translate so I could figure it out. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.140 And it was Psalm 23.1. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:17.560 And I loved the translation of it. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:20.120 What it said is the Lord is my shepherd. 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:22.160 I lack nothing. 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:23.220 I lack nothing. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:25.480 With him, I lack nothing that I need. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:29.280 He is all that I need, David says. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:34.399 And this is an important note because it helps us to see that the Psalm, 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:40.399 it's not first about God shepherding Israel, though it is about that. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:41.200 We'll get to that. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:42.340 It's not first about that. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:46.220 It's about how God shepherds his king. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:51.480 Israel's blessing came through David's blessing. 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:57.480 And that's how they would have understood Psalm 23 as they lifted it up in worship together. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:00.039 James Johnston writes, 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:04.460 By watching over David, God was watching over all Israel. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:07.860 The life of the people was bound up in their king. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:11.259 When David prospered, the nations prospered. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:19.180 So Psalm 23 is about God caring for his people by caring for their king. 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:25.179 But we have to go one step further if we're going to truly grasp the significance of Psalm 23. 00:09:26.339 --> 00:09:31.639 Finally, we must recognize that David writes ultimately as a prophet, 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:37.839 not just a king, not just a shepherd, not just a sheep, but as a prophet, 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:42.139 pointing to the greater shepherd king, 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:50.120 the promised Davidic king, the promised son, the Christ, Messiah. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:54.799 Jesus is who David writes about here. 00:09:56.059 --> 00:10:01.080 Just as David's time shepherding foreshadowed his years as king, 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:06.340 so does his kingship foreshadow the future Davidic king and Messiah 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:09.080 that was promised in God's covenant with David. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:14.300 And this becomes especially clear when we consider the tapestry 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:18.900 into which Psalm 23 is woven in the book itself. 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:21.900 And we need to just think about where we've gone through what now? 00:10:22.300 --> 00:10:24.200 Eight psalms this summer. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:25.900 Eight in a row. 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:30.500 Have you noticed a theme in this collection, in this section of the psalms? 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:33.140 Over and over and over, it's the same thing, isn't it? 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:34.820 It's about a king. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:37.580 It's about the king's trust in his God. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:40.440 It's about God's blessing of the king. 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:42.580 It's about the suffering of the king 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:46.820 and God's subsequent salvation and deliverance of that king 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:50.139 again and again and again and again. 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.580 And here comes Psalm 23. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:54.960 And it's not positioned here in the psalms by coincidence. 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.759 David positions it here on purpose. 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:00.740 He's writing about something bigger than him, 00:11:01.640 --> 00:11:04.759 about someone greater than him. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.759 He's reflecting on God's covenant. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.759 And he's writing about that coming king 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:15.200 and how his life foreshadows the life of that king. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:18.159 All of these psalms in this section, 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.539 they've been about God's care for and deliverance of the Christ. 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:23.600 And Psalm 23 is no exception. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:28.939 It's about Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for our sins, 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:33.940 about the good shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:37.760 It's about how Yahweh shepherded King Jesus 00:11:37.760 --> 00:11:43.480 so that through him, all who hear his voice and follow him 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:46.900 will receive the blessings of this psalm. 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:51.680 God shepherds his people through his king. 00:11:52.640 --> 00:11:54.360 Our life is bound up in his. 00:11:55.140 --> 00:11:57.520 His blessing is our blessing. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.919 So if we're going to receive comfort from Psalm 23, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:03.399 we have to understand first, 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:05.159 who's the psalm really about? 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:07.379 And that's what I want to show you. 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:10.220 Revelation 7, 17, I think, 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:12.860 confirms this as does many other passages. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.759 John writes, 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:18.579 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:22.819 and he will guide them to springs of living water, 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:27.379 and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.620 God has shepherded his king, 00:12:30.420 --> 00:12:33.340 and through that, he shepherds us. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:38.580 The psalm, then, it displays the faithfulness of God 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:42.720 who cares for his king in order that he might bless his people. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:47.040 And there's five areas that God shepherded the king in the psalm, 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:51.639 five areas that Jesus shepherds his sheep. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:54.539 So we want to hold those two things in tension as we go through. 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:58.500 It's a picture of how God faithfully shepherds his king, 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:01.459 and it's also a picture there subsequently 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:05.839 of how Jesus, the good shepherd, shepherds his people. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:11.179 Number one, God satisfies him with restful pasture. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:15.739 God satisfies him with restful pasture. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:16.979 Look at verse 2. 00:13:18.239 --> 00:13:19.039 David declares, 00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:22.239 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:26.199 He leads me beside still waters. 00:13:27.339 --> 00:13:28.719 He restores my soul. 00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:30.579 He restores my soul. 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:35.179 A good shepherd, he leads the sheep to pleasant pasture 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:39.219 where they can be refreshed, properly cared for. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:42.560 And the words that David uses here in the psalm, 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:47.080 they all point toward and emphasize this idea of rest, 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.759 which is an important motif in the Bible. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:51.980 Just look at the verse again. 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:52.480 We have, 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:55.920 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.460 pastures of rest, 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:00.480 where after a long day of travel and toil, 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:03.580 the sheep can find a place to be replenished. 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:06.080 He leads me beside still waters, 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:09.240 literally beside waters of rest. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.240 It's a picture, a meadow. 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:12.759 And here's the waters of the meadow. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:17.139 And what is it that the shepherd is providing for his sheep in this meadow? 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.200 Rest. 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.700 Third, we see, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.520 He restores my soul. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.379 Again, refreshment. 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:27.900 He returns to life is what the word means. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:29.080 Restores. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:34.759 As a shepherd satisfies the sheep with restful pastures after a long day, 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:39.720 God satisfies his king with all that he needs as he toils through this life. 00:14:40.020 --> 00:14:42.900 And boy, did David have some toil in his life, didn't he? 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:45.100 Twice. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.800 At least twice. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.259 He's on the run for his life. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.080 He's anointed king, but he has to leave. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.800 First, it's Saul that's chasing him. 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.620 Later on in his life, it's his own son that's chasing him. 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.240 That's toil. 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.399 That's hard. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:59.600 And in the midst of that, what is David doing? 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:02.240 He's being shepherded by his God. 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:08.139 God is providing for him all that he needs to shepherd his people. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:17.139 That provision of restful pasture then comes to his people through the king. 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:23.720 But notice that the rest provided by God is for the king's soul. 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:27.440 He restores my soul. 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.879 He replenishes my soul. 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:33.680 He returns my soul to life, we might say. 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:41.200 So then an application, a physical provision here is superficial, shallow. 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:45.240 The rest here is ultimately spiritual rest. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.840 It's peace. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:54.540 And David's intent is to communicate that God causes him, literally makes me lie down. 00:15:54.780 --> 00:15:59.379 He causes me to be refreshed of soul. 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:07.340 He provides in himself all that is necessary to meet David's deepest needs. 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:09.200 And he does it in abundance. 00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:10.780 He does not withhold. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:14.340 He does not withhold himself from his king. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:18.700 He restores him and replenishes him and gives him rest for his soul. 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:22.759 And so it was with Christ in his life on this earth. 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:27.300 Jesus lives with very little material provision. 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:33.180 And yet the father satisfies his soul again and again in the gospels. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:38.000 Providing all that he needed for an abundant life. 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.060 He blesses his king. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.180 He shepherds his king. 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:42.580 He gives him himself. 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:48.379 And this is what Jesus, the good shepherd, offers to sinners like you and me. 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.879 Rest for our souls. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:56.180 Bread so that we will never hunger again. 00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:59.980 Water so that we will never again thirst. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:02.100 Life and life abundant. 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:05.940 That's what our good shepherd does for us. 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:10.759 That's what the green pastures and the still waters and the refreshment of soul. 00:17:10.840 --> 00:17:11.360 That's what it is. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.059 It comes to us through Jesus. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:20.539 It is the provision of Jesus himself who meets every need that we have. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:24.820 Matthew 11, Jesus says, come to me. 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:27.939 All who labor and are heavy laden. 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:30.279 Laboring through this life. 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:31.759 Doing your best. 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.839 Trying your hardest. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.879 Spinning your wheels. 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:40.200 Jesus says, come to me and I will give you rest. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.299 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:47.839 For I'm gentle and lowly like a good shepherd. 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:53.119 And you will find rest, he says, for your soul. 00:17:53.959 --> 00:17:54.539 For your soul. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:59.339 Again in John 10, which is a wonderful parallel passage to this. 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:03.339 Maybe this afternoon you'll sit and just read through John chapter 10. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.779 But Jesus says, I am the door of the sheep. 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:12.899 If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:17.220 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:22.180 But I came that they may have life and life abundantly. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:26.500 God satisfies his king with restful pasture. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:30.540 And his king satisfies his people with rest. 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:32.040 Rest for the soul. 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:36.820 Second, God leads him on righteous paths. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:39.160 He leads him on righteous paths. 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.820 Look at the second part of verse 3. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:45.720 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake. 00:18:46.919 --> 00:18:48.059 So the imagery, it's moving. 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:50.539 Imagine you're in an art gallery. 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:56.119 And the art gallery is going five different pictures in a row that follow the sequence of the psalm. 00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:59.720 And the first thing that we see is this beautiful picture of a pasture. 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:02.519 I mean, lush gardens. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.659 Verdant soil. 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:07.419 Water where we can drink. 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:09.500 All the places where we can be refreshed. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:12.200 And in the second picture, we have a path. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:14.059 And we're being led down a path. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:17.759 Or the sheep is being led down a path by his shepherd. 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:23.740 It's the path that the shepherd must lead his sheep on to actually get to the pastures. 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:27.599 That are green and the still waters that are so refreshing. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:32.500 We've seen this term paths in the psalms here just a few weeks ago. 00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:35.319 In Psalm 17 and verse 5, David says, 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:38.159 My steps have held fast to your paths. 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:40.179 My feet have not slipped. 00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:44.740 Now there, the paths referred to God's law and his commandments. 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:47.399 David's commitment to obeying them. 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:49.679 But here he doesn't mean it in the same way. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:55.759 Here, the emphasis is on the character and trustworthiness of David's shepherd. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:59.980 It's not about the effort of the sheep to stay on the path. 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:05.019 It's about the character of the shepherd that takes him only on the right paths. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:09.799 God always leads his king on the right paths. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:13.160 God does so for the glory of his own name. 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:19.720 Proving his faithful reputation again and again and again. 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:26.920 He always does what's right and he always leads his people in the way that they should go. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:32.319 He leads according to his own perfect righteousness. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:42.119 Therefore, no matter how treacherous the path, the king can trust his shepherd and follow his God wherever he leads. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:45.500 Which is exactly what Jesus modeled for us. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:49.740 Over and over and over, walking treacherous paths. 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:56.839 And yet, Jesus entrusts himself to the Father again and again and again in fullness of faith. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:21:00.859 Knowing that the Father will lead him exactly where he must go. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:10.299 And if the people are to follow their king in faith, we read here that they will always be on God's righteous path. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:13.279 Which leads to an abundance of life. 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:20.679 So we've got the satisfaction, the rest of the green pastures, pleasant pastures. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:25.460 We have God leading his king on righteous paths. 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:30.440 Third, we see that God comforts him through death's valley. 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:33.120 God comforts him through death's valley. 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.820 Look at verse 4. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:53.619 The sheep is at his darkest moment in verse 4. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:22:02.359 The righteous path of God that we read in verse 3 does not mean the absence of danger. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:08.419 And in this case, the danger is not merely the threat of death. 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:10.939 It is the inevitability of death. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:14.360 The right path. 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:16.360 The righteous path. 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:18.279 The good path. 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:25.080 Leads the king directly and intentionally to his death. 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:32.619 And yet the sheep of Psalm 23 cries out to the Lord, I will fear no evil. 00:22:34.419 --> 00:22:43.759 The same king who in Psalm 22 cries out in the agony of death, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:48.480 In Psalm 23 declares that he's not afraid. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:56.480 Even as he goes through the agony, even as he goes through the valley of death, he's not afraid. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.940 But how can this be? 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:04.740 Because his shepherd walks through the valley with him. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.900 He doesn't send him through the valley. 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.700 He goes with him. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:21.799 He is comforted by the presence and the power of his God who he knows will deliver him from this death. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:27.559 Which we were reminded of in Psalm 16 a few weeks ago. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.759 Where David wrote, 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.340 Therefore my heart is glad. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:33.279 My whole being rejoices. 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:35.680 My flesh also dwells secure. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:40.820 For you will not abandon my soul to shield, to death. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:44.860 Or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.060 What is this? 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:51.500 Why is this so important in Psalm 23? 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:55.420 Because of what we just read in Psalm 22. 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:59.740 The king comes to suffer. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:10.740 The right path that his shepherd leads him on is the path to death and agony and shame. 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:18.000 And yet in the midst of it, he continues to entrust himself to him who judges justly. 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:21.980 Knowing that beyond the death is a resurrection. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:25.720 This is the faithfulness of God. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:30.779 And the trust and faith of his king. 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:35.059 So that the promise of this verse is the promise of resurrection. 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:38.339 Which is why it is such a comfort to those who grieve, isn't it? 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.740 Says Spurgeon. 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:44.900 Observe that it is not walking in the valley. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:47.360 But through the valley. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:55.799 We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:58.459 That's why this brings us comfort. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:07.399 Because we know that on the other side of our death, for those of us who are in Christ, is a resurrection. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:10.500 Is life and life eternal. 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:20.940 But we must first remember that this promise of resurrection belongs first and foremost to the king about which David writes. 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:25.059 It is Jesus who does not fear death. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:27.420 Because he knows the shepherd is with him. 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.960 And will raise him up. 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:34.099 And this is how Jesus becomes the good shepherd of John 10. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:38.019 Hear his words from John 10, 14 to 18. 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:40.559 Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:44.000 I know my own and my own know me. 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:46.680 Just as the father knows me and I know the father. 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.579 Do you see? 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:50.480 The father leads the son. 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:53.240 And the son shepherds his people. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.079 It's Psalm 23. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.920 And what does he go on to say? 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.759 And I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:05.879 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:07.599 I must bring them also. 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.740 And they will listen to my voice. 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:12.220 So there will be one flock and one shepherd. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.819 For this reason the father loves me, Jesus says. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:18.079 Because I lay down my life. 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:21.039 That I may take it up again. 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.319 No one takes it from me. 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:25.160 I lay it down of my own accord. 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:27.240 I have authority to lay it down. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.480 I have authority to take it up again. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:33.019 And this charge I have received from my father. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:37.980 The shepherd raises the sheep. 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:40.579 And the sheep trust him. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:46.279 The resurrection life of Jesus is how we can be confident. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:50.460 Of our resurrection life ourselves. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:56.339 The blessing of Psalm 23 does not come to us directly. 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:59.220 It comes to us through Jesus. 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.079 Our lives. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.660 Our resurrection. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:05.240 Is bound up in his. 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.420 John 11. 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.539 Jesus says again. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.720 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.099 Whoever believes in me. 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.819 Though he die. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.860 Yet shall he live. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:18.380 And everyone who lives and believes in me. 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:20.160 Shall never die. 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:20.860 He says. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.059 Why is this important? 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:24.920 Why is Psalm 23 a comfort to us? 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.920 Because in Psalm 23. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.980 God shepherds his king. 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:31.240 He leads him to death. 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:35.820 A substitutionary atonement for the sins of his people. 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.660 And then he raises him up. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:39.340 And because he does that. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:42.200 We now have the confidence and assurance. 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:45.500 That we too will come through death. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:48.620 And will be raised up by our good shepherd. 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:51.039 To enjoy his life. 00:27:52.219 --> 00:27:53.199 Number four. 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.419 God prepares him. 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.879 An honored banquet. 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.579 He prepares him an honored banquet. 00:27:59.679 --> 00:28:00.139 Verse five. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:02.219 You prepare a table before me. 00:28:02.219 --> 00:28:04.259 In the presence of my enemies. 00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:07.039 You anoint my head with oil. 00:28:08.219 --> 00:28:09.500 My cup runs over. 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:14.660 Now the shepherd becomes the host. 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:21.019 Because the king trusted and obeyed him from verdant pastures. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:23.839 On the right paths and through death's valley. 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.619 God honors him. 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.920 With a celebratory banquet. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:33.180 God prepares a feast in the king's honor. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.319 And his enemies. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:36.259 Namely death and hell. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:38.880 Are present only as a display. 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:40.120 Of their defeat. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.800 The vindication of the king. 00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:45.700 Through his resurrection. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.920 Is a public event. 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:49.820 It's there for all to see. 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:53.200 And what is it that God does for his king. 00:28:53.840 --> 00:28:54.640 As his host. 00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:58.580 He lavishes his wealth on him. 00:28:59.520 --> 00:29:01.000 He anoints his head with oil. 00:29:01.280 --> 00:29:03.280 In this case that's not a reference to. 00:29:03.280 --> 00:29:06.140 The anointing of oil from the temple. 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:08.300 And the tabernacle in the Old Testament. 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:10.359 This is a customary practice. 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:13.099 Of an honored guest being brought into a home. 00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:15.680 And being perfumed in honor. 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.019 And in celebration. 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:19.740 As the honorary guest of the host. 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.119 That's what's happening there. 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:25.039 He lavishes his wealth on him. 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.940 He blesses him. 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:30.419 With overflowing abundance. 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.919 My cup overflows. 00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:34.480 Who does it overflow to? 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:37.059 Me and you. 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.099 Me and you. 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:40.500 The blessing of the king. 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:42.420 Becomes our blessing. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:45.140 It's a feast for the ages. 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:47.400 And it is ours only. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.140 In Christ Jesus. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.620 Number five. 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.200 God assures him. 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.259 Of his eternal home. 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:58.259 He assures him. 00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.240 Of his eternal home. 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.819 Verse six. 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:04.559 Surely goodness and mercy. 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:06.139 Shall follow me. 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:08.179 All the days of my life. 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:11.519 And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord. 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.059 Forever. 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.299 This is confidence here. 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:18.139 It's assurance. 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.960 There's not a trace of doubt. 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:24.159 But how is it that he communicates this assurance? 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.619 That's what's so amazing about it. 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:29.979 Goodness and mercy. 00:30:30.719 --> 00:30:32.479 The terms he uses here in the beginning. 00:30:32.939 --> 00:30:35.259 They're pregnant with covenant significance. 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:37.519 As we've seen again and again in these psalms. 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:37.939 Haven't we? 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.379 We've seen these kind of terms. 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.699 Steadfast love of the Lord. 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.819 The faithfulness of God. 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.699 The goodness of God. 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.659 The mercy of God. 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.699 All of that is covenant language. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:49.299 God is fulfilling his covenant for his king. 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:52.519 He's fulfilling his covenant through his king even. 00:30:52.519 --> 00:31:00.799 David's assurance is based entirely then on God's faithfulness to his covenant promises. 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:04.559 Which are fulfilled in Jesus. 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:10.579 How can he know for sure that he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever? 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:18.180 He doesn't say I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever based on my ability to do my best and try my hardest. 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:21.859 Or based on my best to live a righteous life before my God. 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.219 No. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:28.659 He says I am assured of my heavenly home because of the goodness and mercy of God. 00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:30.959 Because of his faithfulness through his covenant. 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:33.799 Because he made a promise and I know he will keep it. 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:36.119 But notice how he frames it. 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.559 It's so good here. 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:39.240 I love how he describes his assurance. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.839 Notice this word follow. 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:45.359 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:45.939 Follow this. 00:31:45.939 --> 00:31:46.379 Follow. 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.379 Follow. 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:47.899 Follow. 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:54.740 The word behind this is typically used to describe a hostile enemy pursuing his target. 00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:57.339 It's usually used negatively. 00:31:58.619 --> 00:32:05.139 David thinks of the goodness and the mercy of God like someone that's pursuing him. 00:32:05.179 --> 00:32:08.179 He's trying to get away but it's pursuing him and it's catching up to him. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.000 He's the target. 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.079 He's the target. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.819 What's he saying? 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:18.220 God's goodness and mercy will pursue him all the way to heaven. 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.700 Why? 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:26.500 Because the Lord is his shepherd. 00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:32.680 And the shepherd pursues the sheep to the end. 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:38.500 And such is our assurance of eternal life with God. 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:41.140 It's not based on our pursuit of Jesus. 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:44.120 It's based on Jesus' pursuit of us. 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:46.480 Because he is our shepherd. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:52.319 We can rejoice with wonderful assurance of our eternal home. 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:59.920 Goodness and mercy, the faithfulness of God, the promise of God, it pursues his people. 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:02.160 We can't get away from it. 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.980 How wonderful that is. 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:12.380 You know, if we rest the assurance of our salvation and the assurance of our eternity on anything in us, 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:14.019 we will never have assurance. 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:17.500 We'll never be righteous enough. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:21.880 We'll never have a strong enough faith to feel comfortable. 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:29.680 We'll never do all the things that we think we need to do to feel confident of our salvation. 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:32.660 But that's not how the Bible talks about assurance. 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:37.820 It doesn't talk about assurance in relationship to us and what we do. 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:43.880 Our assurance rests entirely, solely on the faithfulness of God. 00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:51.480 And the king tells us in Psalm 23, this covenant faithfulness, it pursues me. 00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:54.360 Even if I run, it's right on my heels. 00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:55.040 It's there. 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:56.080 I can't get away from it. 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:57.280 I can't get away from it. 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.320 And so he says, I know. 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:02.280 I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:04.860 Because the Lord is my shepherd. 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:09.880 How can you know that you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever? 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:13.380 Because Jesus is your shepherd. 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:17.239 And he pursues his sheep to the end. 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:22.099 He said clearly in John 10, 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:25.380 The Father has given me my sheep. 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:29.420 I will not lose even one of them, he says. 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:35.319 Now that assurance is not based on the sheep's faithfulness. 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:38.299 It's based on the shepherd's faithfulness. 00:34:39.839 --> 00:34:40.860 How wonderful. 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:49.539 Now I've tried to make clear, hopefully I have without overcomplicating the text. 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:54.460 But I've tried to make clear that Psalm 23 here is first and foremost about Jesus. 00:34:56.139 --> 00:35:01.980 It's written by David about Jesus for us. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:09.559 God, the Father, shepherded his son in all of these ways that we read in Psalm 23. 00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:12.219 That doesn't mean that the psalm isn't for us. 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:14.139 It's just not about us. 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:16.960 But that's why it's truly a comfort. 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:19.480 That's why we can't just skip over this. 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:23.159 And move directly to some kind of personal application. 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:25.940 No, we need to go through the process of thinking. 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:28.239 As we find comfort in Psalm 23. 00:35:28.759 --> 00:35:31.259 Why do I receive comfort from Psalm 23? 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:35.279 I receive comfort from the psalm because of the Lord Jesus. 00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:37.880 Who is my shepherd? 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:45.940 And until we see that the song is fulfilled in Jesus, we cannot truly find comfort in its words. 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:50.480 The blessing of it comes to us through him. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:54.280 That's why I can say at the beginning. 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:56.639 I wasn't meaning just to be provocative at the beginning. 00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:58.099 I just mean it sincerely. 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:01.159 These words are not for everyone. 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:10.579 Not every person in grief and in trouble can come to Psalm 23 and find the comfort that they hope to find. 00:36:10.579 --> 00:36:15.099 So how can we know if these words are for us? 00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:19.639 We need to let Jesus answer that question. 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.799 Again, in John 10. 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:23.420 This time, verses 25 to 30. 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:28.460 Jesus speaking to some Pharisees. 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:31.000 He says, I told you and you do not believe. 00:36:31.180 --> 00:36:35.900 The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness about me. 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:40.599 But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep, he says. 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:44.880 He says, my sheep hear my voice. 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:47.099 And I know them. 00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:49.440 And they follow me. 00:36:50.700 --> 00:36:52.500 I give them eternal life. 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:54.420 And they will never perish. 00:36:54.800 --> 00:36:57.180 And no one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:36:58.260 --> 00:37:01.539 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:04.360 And no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:06.519 And I and the Father are one. 00:37:06.740 --> 00:37:07.420 What does he say? 00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:09.140 My sheep hear my voice. 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.519 And I know them. 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.980 And they follow me. 00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:16.579 How can we know if the words of Psalm 23 can bring us comfort today? 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:18.420 How do we know if they're words for us? 00:37:20.180 --> 00:37:25.800 The blessing of Psalm 23 is only for those who belong to Jesus' flock. 00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:32.500 He gives all his sheep eternal life that cannot and will not be taken away. 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:36.099 But how do I know if Jesus is my shepherd? 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:40.579 How do you know if Jesus is your sheep? 00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:43.139 Well, Jesus gives us the test. 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.260 Two of them. 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:48.019 My sheep hear my voice. 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:49.960 And they follow me. 00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:55.179 You want to know how you can, whether or not you can receive comfort from Psalm 23? 00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:57.219 Do you hear his voice? 00:37:57.219 --> 00:38:00.199 Do you follow him? 00:38:01.959 --> 00:38:05.079 That is, do you believe him? 00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:07.759 Are you trusting him? 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:14.579 And have you turned from sin and self to follow him as the shepherd of your life? 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:20.980 Many people have taken a false comfort in Psalm 23. 00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:26.340 They want to believe that God is their shepherd, but they do not want to listen to Christ. 00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:28.599 Neither do they follow him. 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:34.420 None of the blessings come to us except through Jesus. 00:38:35.779 --> 00:38:39.079 Christ is the great shepherd for God's people. 00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:43.579 And if you do not belong to Jesus, God is not your shepherd. 00:38:44.799 --> 00:38:46.679 And there is no comfort for you here. 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:54.699 But if you know Jesus and you love him, Psalm 23 is for you. 00:38:56.519 --> 00:39:00.599 And the good thing about it is that Jesus issues this call. 00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:03.659 We read it in Matthew 11 a moment ago. 00:39:03.659 --> 00:39:08.500 It wasn't a call simply to an exclusive number of people. 00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:10.159 It's a call that he issues to everyone. 00:39:10.259 --> 00:39:16.399 He says, come to me all who labor and are heavy laden. 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:19.679 I will give you rest. 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.699 That's your call. 00:39:22.779 --> 00:39:24.139 You want comfort from Psalm 23? 00:39:24.759 --> 00:39:25.559 Come to Jesus. 00:39:26.359 --> 00:39:27.119 He invites you. 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:31.119 All that the Father gives me will come to me, he says. 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:34.019 And whoever comes to me, I will never cast out. 00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:37.159 You say, how do I come to him? 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:39.299 Believe him. 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:42.219 You trust him. 00:39:43.739 --> 00:39:44.599 Confess your sin. 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:46.500 Repent. 00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.980 And follow him. 00:39:50.619 --> 00:39:52.039 And he will be your shepherd. 00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:54.420 And you will hear his voice. 00:39:54.420 --> 00:40:01.860 And as you follow him, you will find more comfort in Psalm 23 than you could have ever imagined. 00:40:01.860 --> 00:40:02.910 And if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him, if you know him,