1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,380 Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight of Lord. Amen 2 00:00:07,980 --> 00:00:13,680 So our text this morning is surely the goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:17,940 And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever isn't that a wonderful promise 4 00:00:18,620 --> 00:00:21,740 God's mercy and love is going to follow us all the days of our life 5 00:00:22,620 --> 00:00:25,480 this story had to have happened a 6 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,080 Few years ago because we wouldn't do this today 7 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:33,180 I think most of us wouldn't do it today a little boy was in kindergarten 8 00:00:33,180 --> 00:00:37,760 He wanted to walk himself to school and so his mom was trying to accommodate this 9 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:41,280 But she was worried about him and said we today we wouldn't do that. We would drive them 10 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,680 We would make sure we would insist on walking him 11 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:47,260 So he wanted to walk as he was big now right in kindergarten 12 00:00:47,260 --> 00:00:49,900 So he started walking to school and his mom was worried 13 00:00:49,900 --> 00:00:54,740 so she came up with a plan with her neighbor Shirley who had a little little girl and 14 00:00:54,740 --> 00:01:02,120 Shirley said I'll tell you what he won't know we'll stay back behind him a ways and we'll follow him and make sure he gets to 15 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,340 school on time and safely so 16 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:10,040 That's what happened. Shirley would take her little girl and her name was Marcy and they'd hold their hands and they were 17 00:01:10,580 --> 00:01:14,840 Standing back a ways so that first week of school went by and went well 18 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:21,140 But the little boy Timmy was walking with his little best friend who was another little girl in the class and she said to him 19 00:01:21,140 --> 00:01:25,300 Why does that lady follow us? She's been following us all week long and 20 00:01:25,860 --> 00:01:32,340 Timmy says well, I know why she's following us because every night my mom reads Psalms 23 to me and it says 21 00:01:32,340 --> 00:01:35,820 Shirley goodness and her last name was goodness 22 00:01:35,820 --> 00:01:39,940 Shirley goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life 23 00:01:40,820 --> 00:01:46,900 So the little friend looked at him kind of confused and he said I guess I'm gonna have to get used to it 24 00:01:46,900 --> 00:01:54,420 So kids they often don't quite hear it. Just right, right? That's a famous text, but he didn't hear it quite right and 25 00:01:54,420 --> 00:01:57,260 We have to chuckle at their interpretations, right? 26 00:01:57,740 --> 00:02:02,820 But we know that God's goodness and his mercy does follow us when we're walking with Jesus 27 00:02:02,820 --> 00:02:06,740 He is there with us to write trusting him all the days of our life 28 00:02:07,380 --> 00:02:12,660 Psalm 23 is what we're gonna look at today and that's the closing piece of Psalm 23 29 00:02:12,660 --> 00:02:16,300 That surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life 30 00:02:16,780 --> 00:02:22,460 Psalm 23 is read at more funerals. It's cited in times of distress is in 31 00:02:23,420 --> 00:02:28,100 While our prisoners recite it soldiers recite it. It's read to the sick 32 00:02:28,580 --> 00:02:33,260 There are all kinds of songs on Psalm 23, right? Remember Todd Beamer? 33 00:02:33,260 --> 00:02:39,700 He was on flight 93 with 9-eleven his last conversation with an air phone supervisor was 34 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:44,380 Psalm 23 he had that they read that together said that together and 35 00:02:44,740 --> 00:02:50,460 President George W. Bush he read some portions of Psalm 23 right after 9-eleven 36 00:02:51,860 --> 00:02:55,260 The point is that this is a really important text 37 00:02:55,260 --> 00:02:58,940 It's used so much in so many ways at one point 38 00:02:58,940 --> 00:03:06,100 Protestant churches when they ordained their pastors would have all the ministers have a thorough knowledge of some of all the Psalms 39 00:03:06,100 --> 00:03:10,740 Which isn't the case today? So I could go on and on with examples of how 40 00:03:11,380 --> 00:03:18,820 Much we treasure Psalm 23. It's memorized and it's recognized by almost everyone whether they go to church or not, right? 41 00:03:19,620 --> 00:03:22,500 So Psalm 23 must be important 42 00:03:23,780 --> 00:03:27,060 It's this beautiful proclamation so we're gonna look at it 43 00:03:27,060 --> 00:03:32,740 But before we go straight into Psalm 23, we kind of need to set the stage and kind of look at the big picture of it 44 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:36,420 Because Psalm 23 isn't a standalone piece 45 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:40,500 So first of all, I want to look at the book of Psalms 46 00:03:41,140 --> 00:03:46,500 And I think I'm can yeah, I can see what you guys see. So Psalms is divided into five books 47 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:49,540 I have five sections. Those are the five right there 48 00:03:50,260 --> 00:03:52,260 the Jewish community 49 00:03:52,260 --> 00:03:55,780 Explains that these five divisions in their book are called the Midrash 50 00:03:56,420 --> 00:03:59,540 Which they say as Moses gave five books of law 51 00:03:59,540 --> 00:04:03,060 To Israel David gave five books of Psalms to Israel 52 00:04:03,540 --> 00:04:07,060 So it's known these five books are well known to the Jewish 53 00:04:07,620 --> 00:04:11,460 Folks now within those five books. There's a doxology for each of them 54 00:04:11,460 --> 00:04:16,500 These are the doxologies the ending of each of those sections has a doxology 55 00:04:17,140 --> 00:04:24,900 Another interesting thing about Psalms there are duplicates. So Psalms 14 is the same as Psalm 53 and you can see the other examples 56 00:04:24,900 --> 00:04:30,020 It's interesting how these Psalms were composed and placed together 57 00:04:30,020 --> 00:04:35,460 So people who have studied the Psalms and have looked at them and how they're all arranged 58 00:04:35,460 --> 00:04:38,420 Came up with this really complicated way of saying something 59 00:04:38,420 --> 00:04:43,460 So this is what they said those who study the arrangement of the Psalms conclude 60 00:04:43,460 --> 00:04:49,380 That it was deliberately planned with theological and historical context in mind 61 00:04:49,380 --> 00:04:55,780 I think that's a complicated way to say this what the Bible already said is that all scripture 62 00:04:56,420 --> 00:05:02,740 Was given by the inspiration of God is not an accident how the Psalms were laid out and we're going to look at this 63 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:11,620 So theologians also say that they are inspired confessions the Psalms and they are complaints and they are praises and they are prayers 64 00:05:11,620 --> 00:05:17,380 And they are thanksgiving and what I love about these Psalms is that they are inspired by the 65 00:05:17,380 --> 00:05:24,500 Prayers and they are thanksgiving and what I love about that it gives you permission to express the feelings that you already have 66 00:05:25,060 --> 00:05:32,020 That God already knows you can say them out loud right that was one of the beautiful things that came out of the Psalms I think 67 00:05:33,220 --> 00:05:36,260 So that's a really short introduction to all of the Psalms 68 00:05:37,380 --> 00:05:42,020 But we're going to go look at Psalm 23, but I said it's not a standalone Psalm 69 00:05:42,020 --> 00:05:50,020 So it's placed between 22 and 24 obviously but it comes with that set 22 23 and 24 70 00:05:51,380 --> 00:06:01,380 Psalm 22 is considered a messianic prophetic psalm so we know that David he was a shepherd boy we know that right and we know he was a military leader 71 00:06:01,380 --> 00:06:07,380 We know he's a king and a poet and a musician and a writer but he was also a prophet 72 00:06:07,380 --> 00:06:14,660 So the truth is the Psalms are filled with lots of messianic prophecies and Psalm 2 is the first one in the book of Psalms 73 00:06:15,300 --> 00:06:23,380 That starts off with those messianic prophecies, but Psalm 22 which comes right before 23 was also prophetic 74 00:06:23,860 --> 00:06:27,380 About the Messiah, so I want to glance at these really quickly 75 00:06:27,860 --> 00:06:32,420 I don't want to go through all of it, so I just highlighted some of them to show you how it's prophetic 76 00:06:32,420 --> 00:06:36,900 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Have you ever heard that before? 77 00:06:37,380 --> 00:06:43,460 And then my words of my groaning and if you go down all of my bones are out of joint my heart is like wax 78 00:06:44,340 --> 00:06:48,420 It has melted within me. Here's some other examples of Psalm 22 79 00:06:49,460 --> 00:06:54,420 You've brought me to the dust of the death and then 16 for the dogs have surrounded me 80 00:06:55,220 --> 00:06:59,940 The congregation of the wicked has enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and my feet 81 00:06:59,940 --> 00:07:05,060 Look at 17. I can count all my bones. They look and they stare at me 82 00:07:05,060 --> 00:07:09,220 They divide my garments among them and my clothing they cast lots 83 00:07:10,260 --> 00:07:15,860 And at the end there it says help me right verse 20 of Psalm 22 says 84 00:07:16,740 --> 00:07:18,740 Deliver me from the sword 85 00:07:19,300 --> 00:07:26,180 And then going down to 24, but when he cried to him he heard and then 29 at the last verse last line 86 00:07:26,180 --> 00:07:30,420 Shall bow before him if you want to go through it more depth you can read Psalm 22 87 00:07:30,420 --> 00:07:36,740 But those are some highlights that illustrate how prophetic it was so 22 comes before 23 88 00:07:38,820 --> 00:07:45,220 So then comes 23 and then 24, so I want to look at this really quickly, excuse me 89 00:07:48,500 --> 00:07:54,820 22 is about the good shepherd who gave up his life for his sheep and a prophet who gave up his sheep 90 00:07:54,820 --> 00:07:59,700 And it prophesies in detail about the Lord's death which we just saw 91 00:08:00,260 --> 00:08:07,620 Then 23 comes it's the great shepherd in resurrection power that leads his flock today its present day 92 00:08:08,740 --> 00:08:13,620 And then 24 is all about that chief shepherd returning in great glory 93 00:08:13,620 --> 00:08:20,420 So I'm going to look at 24 just like 22 before we hit 23 so verse 3 94 00:08:20,420 --> 00:08:26,900 If you look at it and glance and it says who may send into the hill of the Lord or who may stand in his holy place 95 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:32,180 Lift up your heads of gates and be lifted up you everlasting doors the king of glory shall come in 96 00:08:32,180 --> 00:08:36,500 So you can tell it's talking about the Lord's return the great shepherd coming back 97 00:08:37,220 --> 00:08:43,060 And then verse 8 and 9 is another example. Who is this king of glory the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battle 98 00:08:43,780 --> 00:08:48,420 Lift up your heads. Oh you gates lift up your everlasting doors the king of glory 99 00:08:48,420 --> 00:08:56,420 Shall come in it's a quick quick look at 24 but 23 is in the middle of these two 100 00:08:57,220 --> 00:09:03,780 So to recap quick it is the good shepherd who gave up his life and it talks about it in detail 101 00:09:03,780 --> 00:09:10,100 Psalm 22 23 is present day it's the shepherd leading us right here in resurrection power 102 00:09:10,820 --> 00:09:14,260 And 24 is the great shepherd returning to take us home 103 00:09:14,260 --> 00:09:19,780 It's a beautiful way to set these precious scriptures all up together 104 00:09:21,060 --> 00:09:27,380 I'll never forget I went out to visit a family in their home they were homebound 105 00:09:28,260 --> 00:09:32,580 I guess this is working you can hear me it's going out under my chin though 106 00:09:33,460 --> 00:09:38,340 So I was out visiting them and when I go visit you know folks in their homes I like to read some scriptures 107 00:09:38,340 --> 00:09:41,620 And there's some favorite ones I like to read including Psalm 23 108 00:09:41,620 --> 00:09:52,100 So I said to the lady she's homebound I said could I read to you Psalm 23 she said to me I am not on my deathbed 109 00:09:52,100 --> 00:09:58,820 And so I started laughing chuckling with her I said I know you're not dying but Psalm 23 is really good even for now 110 00:09:59,460 --> 00:10:03,940 This isn't just for funerals I said I promise you'll be encouraged if I read you Psalm 23 111 00:10:04,740 --> 00:10:09,940 So I read her Psalm 23 and she smiled at the end and she said Psalm 23 was really good 112 00:10:09,940 --> 00:10:15,940 Psalm 23 is very good and it's not just for funerals it's for today it's present day 113 00:10:15,940 --> 00:10:21,940 It's what the Lord has promised to us his goodness and his mercy and we're going to look at that now okay 114 00:10:21,940 --> 00:10:29,940 So Psalm 23 we're going to go through the verses the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want isn't that beautiful 115 00:10:29,940 --> 00:10:37,940 And what a metaphor to open up with this analogy dominates the first four verses of Psalm 23 116 00:10:37,940 --> 00:10:43,940 We are the Lord's people of his pasture and the flock under his care 117 00:10:43,940 --> 00:10:49,940 When you look at a herd of sheep now after before I did this sermon and prepared for it 118 00:10:49,940 --> 00:10:53,940 This is how I used to look at the flock but now I know that there's a difference 119 00:10:53,940 --> 00:10:59,940 I would look and just see a herd of sheep but when the shepherd looks at the sheep he knows them 120 00:10:59,940 --> 00:11:05,940 Because every face is special and every face has a story and every sheep has a name 121 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:09,940 And if you look at some of these pictures you can tell I had to look when I was reading this 122 00:11:09,940 --> 00:11:15,940 Those sheep all have unique faces and John 10 3 says it I don't know if you can see it 123 00:11:15,940 --> 00:11:23,940 But it says the sheep hears his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and he leads them out 124 00:11:23,940 --> 00:11:32,940 Shepherding was used in it's throughout all the scriptures right and it's because 80% of Jesus listeners made their living off of the land 125 00:11:32,940 --> 00:11:41,940 So the metaphor that this scripture opens up with the Lord is my shepherd is a fantastic way for them to understand what 126 00:11:41,940 --> 00:11:46,940 What is being shared here in the divine scriptures right? 127 00:11:46,940 --> 00:11:50,940 So what about the line I shall not want? 128 00:11:50,940 --> 00:11:56,940 Have you ever wanted something so badly because we all have had that thing we're just wishing for 129 00:11:56,940 --> 00:12:04,940 Or are you on the other end of the spectrum and you're content and you're thankful for what God has blessed you with 130 00:12:04,940 --> 00:12:07,940 When you're content in the Lord you know what you gain? 131 00:12:07,940 --> 00:12:15,940 You gain this joy you gain this faith and you gain this peace and the assurance that everything will be taken care of 132 00:12:15,940 --> 00:12:23,940 I shall not want is in that scripture because the Lord has covered it and David knew it when he wrote that 133 00:12:23,940 --> 00:12:27,940 So then we go to verse 2 134 00:12:27,940 --> 00:12:33,940 He makes me to lie down in green pastures and he leads me beside the still waters 135 00:12:33,940 --> 00:12:39,940 So a good shepherd would regularly lead his sheep to what the green pastures 136 00:12:39,940 --> 00:12:45,940 Which underscores the story of David's life where the Lord took care of him both physically and spiritually 137 00:12:45,940 --> 00:12:48,940 But God meets the needs of each one of us as well 138 00:12:48,940 --> 00:12:54,940 And in the process of taking care of us he leads us to the greenest pastures 139 00:12:54,940 --> 00:12:56,940 And what about the still waters? 140 00:12:56,940 --> 00:13:00,940 Well you know they say sheep aren't that smart have you ever heard anyone say that? 141 00:13:00,940 --> 00:13:05,940 They aren't that smart so they will wander into running creeks where they're not supposed to go 142 00:13:05,940 --> 00:13:09,940 And if that wool that they have is really heavy they can drown 143 00:13:09,940 --> 00:13:13,940 But a good shepherd will lead them to the calm waters right? 144 00:13:13,940 --> 00:13:18,940 And when they go to the waters it's a place to cleanse those wounds 145 00:13:18,940 --> 00:13:25,940 And the shepherd checks them to clean out any dirty spots and wounds for soil 146 00:13:25,940 --> 00:13:31,940 You know I had this scripture reminds me of a story that had happened to me 147 00:13:31,940 --> 00:13:34,940 I had received some really hard news 148 00:13:34,940 --> 00:13:37,940 It was discouraging and I was really down about it 149 00:13:37,940 --> 00:13:42,940 And it happened to be that our family was on a small vacation over on the Gulf Coast 150 00:13:42,940 --> 00:13:47,940 And you know the Gulf Coast is considered the calm coast versus the Atlantic right of Florida 151 00:13:47,940 --> 00:13:52,940 So I got this call and I received this news and it was really kind of heartbreaking 152 00:13:52,940 --> 00:13:55,940 And I remember what I did I got my low rise beach chair 153 00:13:55,940 --> 00:13:59,940 And I just went and sat at the edge of the waves where they lapped up over me 154 00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:06,940 And I probably sat there for a few hours contemplating and praying and just processing what I had heard 155 00:14:06,940 --> 00:14:09,940 I needed some quiet time 156 00:14:09,940 --> 00:14:13,940 See the Lord leads us by still waters for restoration right? 157 00:14:13,940 --> 00:14:18,940 Because when you're by the still waters he will restore your soul 158 00:14:18,940 --> 00:14:21,940 Which takes you to Psalm 23 verse 3 159 00:14:21,940 --> 00:14:29,940 It says he restores my soul and he leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake 160 00:14:29,940 --> 00:14:35,940 The good shepherd restores my soul it just means to turn you back and to restore you 161 00:14:35,940 --> 00:14:41,940 In the Hebrew it can simply mean in this verb and this tense to repent or return 162 00:14:41,940 --> 00:14:50,940 But David's words are general enough to mean that the Lord restored David to his proper spiritual and physical condition 163 00:14:50,940 --> 00:14:53,940 By forgiving him and renewing him 164 00:14:53,940 --> 00:15:00,940 And one of the best known scriptures that even that gives the great pictorial visual of it 165 00:15:00,940 --> 00:15:03,940 Is the one lost sheep who needed to repent and right? 166 00:15:03,940 --> 00:15:11,940 The Savior the shepherd comes after that one out of the 99 167 00:15:11,940 --> 00:15:16,940 When the sheep there's a my favorite author in one of her books 168 00:15:16,940 --> 00:15:23,940 Manuscripts in one of her manuscripts says this about about the sheep which I didn't realize this 169 00:15:23,940 --> 00:15:30,940 When a sheep strays from the fold it can never find its way back I didn't know that 170 00:15:30,940 --> 00:15:35,940 But the shepherd must seek after the strange sheep and bring it back in his arms 171 00:15:35,940 --> 00:15:40,940 Rejoicing at every step that he has found that lost sheep 172 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:46,940 Don't you love it when God guides each one of us in the past that he has planned right 173 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:52,940 They are paths of righteousness that's the ones he plans for you for his namesake and I love that 174 00:15:52,940 --> 00:15:58,940 So I'm so thankful when the Lord tells me don't turn here but turn here or go straight or wait or stop 175 00:15:58,940 --> 00:16:03,940 I'm thankful when he redirects me from something that's a temptation or a disaster 176 00:16:03,940 --> 00:16:07,940 And he keeps me on the path for his namesake 177 00:16:07,940 --> 00:16:13,940 You know the point of this whole little piece right here is that the Lord if he's leading you in an unrighteous way 178 00:16:13,940 --> 00:16:19,940 It's not his way the Lord would never lead you in an unrighteous way it isn't from the Lord 179 00:16:19,940 --> 00:16:24,940 So he leads in the ways that are righteous which are the way home 180 00:16:24,940 --> 00:16:30,940 Because his reputation is at stake which takes us to verse four 181 00:16:30,940 --> 00:16:37,940 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me 182 00:16:37,940 --> 00:16:40,940 Your rod and your strap they comfort me 183 00:16:40,940 --> 00:16:46,940 So this verse is the proclamation of God's care and protection of his flock right 184 00:16:46,940 --> 00:16:53,940 So in that hill country of Judah there were steep ravines and narrow little paths that were dangerous for the sheep 185 00:16:53,940 --> 00:17:02,940 And I'm sure David's remembering this because it's home to wild beasts and robbers and it's where he remembers his own experiences 186 00:17:02,940 --> 00:17:09,940 See sheep have no natural defense right they don't have the claws they don't have horns and they don't have fangs 187 00:17:09,940 --> 00:17:18,940 They are completely hopeless so they would find themselves in those dangerous places and they would get out alive by God's grace right 188 00:17:18,940 --> 00:17:26,940 Because God was with David and even though David had to walk in these places he did not fear harm or evil 189 00:17:26,940 --> 00:17:35,940 Because the good shepherd was abiding with his flock the Lord would intervene and protect amen 190 00:17:35,940 --> 00:17:42,940 The shepherd imagery the shepherd imagery continues with the rod and the staff in that section of verse four 191 00:17:42,940 --> 00:17:51,940 So the staff and the rod were there to not hurt the sheep right they were there to support and nudge and redirect and gently prod 192 00:17:51,940 --> 00:18:02,940 And to keep the sheep going in the right direction but they were also the rod and staff was also there to defend an assailant and smack him 193 00:18:02,940 --> 00:18:09,940 David found that rod and that staff comforting because he feared no evil with that rod and staff there right 194 00:18:09,940 --> 00:18:22,940 And so now as we go into this Psalm 23 this scene changes from the shepherding scene into the great great banquet table by the great great host verse five 195 00:18:22,940 --> 00:18:31,940 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies and you anoint my head with oil and my cup it runneth over 196 00:18:31,940 --> 00:18:36,940 So there's three sections in this verse and I'm looking at what you're seeing right here 197 00:18:36,940 --> 00:18:45,940 There's three sections and we're going to go through each section of verse five so starting with you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies 198 00:18:45,940 --> 00:18:52,940 It simply means to put the food and the drink out on the table right it can be literal but it could also be spiritual 199 00:18:52,940 --> 00:19:01,940 Some theologians believe this is a description of the great banquet that we're going to receive when we get to heaven when the Lord welcomes his guests 200 00:19:01,940 --> 00:19:09,940 And according to the customs of the East honored guests were always saved when they sat down to eat at someone's table 201 00:19:09,940 --> 00:19:17,940 So when they sat down to eat this was a break from if they were on the run or break and a thought of comfort 202 00:19:17,940 --> 00:19:25,940 As they would be safe and secure you know I will never forget something that happened to me when I think of this verse 203 00:19:25,940 --> 00:19:35,940 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies I worked at another place I won't name and I had someone coming in after me 204 00:19:35,940 --> 00:19:43,940 And I would see them come in to talk to my boss and I knew every single time they came in they were trying to get me fired for things that weren't true 205 00:19:43,940 --> 00:19:49,940 And first it really broke my heart and I was stressed out about it but I realized this was the pattern 206 00:19:49,940 --> 00:19:57,940 I also didn't realize that they had done this to several of my co-workers and no one ever told me I always thought about that when it was going on 207 00:19:57,940 --> 00:20:02,940 Why didn't anyone tell me this is normal not really normal but this is normal for them 208 00:20:02,940 --> 00:20:11,940 So they would come in time and time again and every time they came in I always knew it was to try to get me in trouble with these false accusations 209 00:20:11,940 --> 00:20:20,940 And so I finally I just got used to it and I knew nothing was coming from it because my boss didn't you know I would go ask him or he would tell me what the conversation was 210 00:20:20,940 --> 00:20:33,940 So at some point while this was going on we had a golf tournament and the golf tournament was over and the gentleman that was coming in to try to get me in trouble played in this golf tournament 211 00:20:33,940 --> 00:20:41,940 And so the tournament was over and we're at the awards meal you know in the golf the country club there of the golf course 212 00:20:41,940 --> 00:20:50,940 And I sat down at this table that was right here and there was this other table beside me and I saw him come in and I saw my boss come in 213 00:20:50,940 --> 00:20:58,940 And my boss sat down at this table over here I didn't really think much about it but then I noticed where he went and sat and he went and sat right by my boss 214 00:20:58,940 --> 00:21:07,940 And I noticed where he was because I could see him out of the peripheral of my eye and I just had to say let it go because God's got me 215 00:21:07,940 --> 00:21:14,940 But you know the Lord is so good to us he divinely orchestrates these smallest details in every situation 216 00:21:14,940 --> 00:21:22,940 So I sat at this table with some of my co-workers and it just happened that I had this empty chair right here right beside me 217 00:21:22,940 --> 00:21:29,940 And shortly after this gentleman that's coming after me and coming after me sits down beside my boss 218 00:21:29,940 --> 00:21:37,940 I can see out of the corner of my eye that my boss picks up his plate pulls out his chair and he walks over and he sits down right beside me 219 00:21:37,940 --> 00:21:47,940 I know that was divinely orchestrated that there be that chair open at that table and you know no words were ever spoken but a message was definitely sent 220 00:21:47,940 --> 00:21:55,940 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies and I have to say amen 221 00:21:55,940 --> 00:22:02,940 This verse becomes alive to me when I reflect on that event and you know what nothing ever came of all the accusations 222 00:22:02,940 --> 00:22:09,940 It moves my heart and my heart swells because I know God was taking care of me 223 00:22:09,940 --> 00:22:18,940 So in verse six I'm sorry verse five the second section is you anoint my head with oil 224 00:22:18,940 --> 00:22:29,940 So it was the custom and it was the duty of a gracious host in that area in that time to have perfumed oil to freshen up with right 225 00:22:29,940 --> 00:22:38,940 I'd like to consider a comparison of it is to Bath and Body Works having some fresh scented stuff in the bathroom the guest bathroom when you come in right 226 00:22:38,940 --> 00:22:48,940 It might have a little more meaning right here but it's something similar because a guest was expected to provide this this oil for them to freshen up with 227 00:22:48,940 --> 00:22:59,940 Reminds you of that story in Luke 7 when the woman gives Jesus the oil on his on his feet and Jesus reminds the host you didn't give me water or oil 228 00:22:59,940 --> 00:23:11,940 So the commentary shares this type of anointing wasn't intended to be the same as an anointing of a king but it was to connotate hospitality and festivity and joy and to have a sweet aroma 229 00:23:11,940 --> 00:23:14,940 Hence Bath and Body Works right 230 00:23:14,940 --> 00:23:26,940 So what about a sheep and oil now this verse isn't talking about it the sheep but the shepherd would often put oil on the head of a sheep as well 231 00:23:26,940 --> 00:23:35,940 So in ancient Israel the shepherds use this oil to repel insects and to prevent sheep conflicts and for healing of the wounds 232 00:23:35,940 --> 00:23:48,940 So the thing is bugs bug us right bugs bug people but they drive crazy and kill sheep because of a fly or a mosquito or some kind of a gnat gets in their nose 233 00:23:48,940 --> 00:23:56,940 And it hatches it becomes this larva type of thing and it's actual torture to a sheep if any of you guys know about how sheep are 234 00:23:56,940 --> 00:24:02,940 So once they deposit those eggs if they're successful and they don't have that oil on them 235 00:24:02,940 --> 00:24:13,940 It can drive them insane this is agonizing annoyance and sheep have been known to hit their heads against rocks or trees or you know poles or whatever is there 236 00:24:13,940 --> 00:24:21,940 Until they can get that out of their nose and some have even died shaking their head beating it against whatever it is they're hitting it on 237 00:24:21,940 --> 00:24:29,940 So the oil prevents some of those things from getting in their nose and it can also help their wounds 238 00:24:29,940 --> 00:24:39,940 So as a result a shepherd will regularly and often daily inspect and put oil on cuts abrasions and their head to keep away the bugs 239 00:24:39,940 --> 00:24:49,940 So sheep aren't the only ones who need preventative care or who have wounds right this is us so whether your wound is physical emotional or spiritual 240 00:24:49,940 --> 00:24:57,940 The first thing we do and it's right here in this the first thing we do is we go to the right person which is the good good shepherd 241 00:24:57,940 --> 00:25:05,940 And to receive the healing we lower heads and we even bow down so that the Lord can put an oil on this right 242 00:25:05,940 --> 00:25:14,940 And the thing is this is really a beautiful piece to it I think the sheep don't understand the why the oil repels the flies 243 00:25:14,940 --> 00:25:25,940 And the sheep don't understand how the oil heals them in fact the only thing that the sheep knows is that when they are in the presence of the good shepherd 244 00:25:25,940 --> 00:25:33,940 And that oil goes on them something happens right and that's all we really need to know too is that we need to go and bow before the Lord 245 00:25:33,940 --> 00:25:45,940 So verse five goes to the overflowing cup right so in the Bible an overflowing cup represented the portion of your life 246 00:25:45,940 --> 00:25:55,940 A symbol of the portion or your lot in life which could be good or bad we see the cup of fury in Isaiah or what Jesus asked the father at the cross 247 00:25:55,940 --> 00:26:05,940 So it can be a hard thing it can be a bad thing but it can also be a good thing as seen right here is your cup running over 248 00:26:05,940 --> 00:26:14,940 So I can testify in my family God has blessed us and my cup runneth over even when it seems like it's a little bit dry the cup runneth over 249 00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:23,940 He has given me blessings that were just intended for me and my family but he's given blessings that are intended just for you and your family right 250 00:26:23,940 --> 00:26:33,940 So it leads us to verse six we've gone through most of verse 23 of chapter 23 but it goes to our scripture reading 251 00:26:33,940 --> 00:26:42,940 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever isn't that beautiful 252 00:26:42,940 --> 00:26:50,940 It starts with the word surely so this marks a change from what's happened before and to what God is going to do when we walk with him 253 00:26:50,940 --> 00:26:59,940 So it's important the words that were used in this text the concluding words are loyal love which is often translated to mercy 254 00:26:59,940 --> 00:27:10,940 So mercy or loving kindness and with the addition of goodness with mercy is just a way of putting emphasis on what God's going to do all the days of David's life 255 00:27:10,940 --> 00:27:19,940 And the word loyal love is a well-known covenant word that describes God's faithful love to his covenant promises that he has made to us 256 00:27:19,940 --> 00:27:28,940 There is no other term that could more adequately describe the provisions the Lord's going to take care of and give to David 257 00:27:28,940 --> 00:27:34,940 David had been pursued his entire life do you remember Saul coming after him numerous times 258 00:27:34,940 --> 00:27:42,940 No man chased him more though than the Lord right the Lord was persistent and effective in pursuing him 259 00:27:42,940 --> 00:27:51,940 So David declares that I am going to dwell in the house of the Lord forever and this is rich right here because all the days of his life 260 00:27:51,940 --> 00:27:58,940 He's going to be in the house of the Lord which is the sanctuary right so Psalm 23 is actually a sanctuary song 261 00:27:58,940 --> 00:28:02,940 And he's eager to be with that good shepherd and he longs to be with him 262 00:28:02,940 --> 00:28:13,940 David desires to follow the Lord and come into close communion with the Lord for the rest of his days is this beautiful beautiful proclamation and promise 263 00:28:13,940 --> 00:28:19,940 There was a dinner party going on in New York with a bunch of people and there was this famous play actor who was invited 264 00:28:19,940 --> 00:28:28,940 But there was also a pastor somehow got invited to the dinner party so this famous play actor was there and people were you know enamored with him 265 00:28:28,940 --> 00:28:35,940 And so they had him and asked him to recite different lines from famous plays he had been in and he was doing all that 266 00:28:35,940 --> 00:28:43,940 But the pastor had come to kind of maybe get a break from what had happened that week for him and he had had a really hard week 267 00:28:43,940 --> 00:28:51,940 And he needed some encouragement and so he asked the actor he said would you recite Psalm 23 for me 268 00:28:51,940 --> 00:28:57,940 So the actress thought for a moment and he said yeah I'll recite it but you have to recite it after me so I'll do it and then you do it 269 00:28:57,940 --> 00:29:02,940 The pastor said yeah he just needed some encouragement right just a little something 270 00:29:02,940 --> 00:29:13,940 So the actor he recites Psalm 23 with all of the emphasis and you know how you can pronounce and project and he did it with great acting ability 271 00:29:13,940 --> 00:29:18,940 And when he got done the whole table started clapping for him and it was moving 272 00:29:18,940 --> 00:29:24,940 But then it was time for the pastor to recite Psalm 23 so the pastor took his turn 273 00:29:24,940 --> 00:29:31,940 But he didn't give it with the same emphasis that the actor did it he did it with the meaning and the depth of what it meant to him 274 00:29:31,940 --> 00:29:41,940 And reflecting with the week that he had had been through right and when he got done they didn't clap and cheer they cried 275 00:29:41,940 --> 00:29:50,940 There wasn't a dry eye in the room one of the folks leaned over to the actor and he said why do you think when you recited Psalm 23 276 00:29:50,940 --> 00:30:00,940 We all were clapping but when he recited Psalm 23 everyone was crying and the actor said well it's really simple 277 00:30:00,940 --> 00:30:07,940 I know the reason is because I know Psalm 23 but he knows the shepherd amen 278 00:30:07,940 --> 00:30:13,940 When you know the shepherd you trust him even in a really bad week right 279 00:30:13,940 --> 00:30:21,940 You see Psalm 23 isn't just for funerals like a lot of people think it's for present day it's present tense 280 00:30:21,940 --> 00:30:30,940 So when you proclaim Psalm 23 you do it with happiness and joy because you're eager to spend time with the Lord in communion with him 281 00:30:30,940 --> 00:30:37,940 In a good week and in a bad week so I thought we could all say Psalm 23 together how about that 282 00:30:37,940 --> 00:30:46,940 So you say it with me the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want he makes me to lie down in green pastures 283 00:30:46,940 --> 00:30:57,940 He leads me beside the still waters he restores my soul he leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake 284 00:30:57,940 --> 00:31:08,940 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me 285 00:31:08,940 --> 00:31:18,940 And you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies and you anoint my head with oil and my cup runneth over 286 00:31:18,940 --> 00:31:29,940 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever amen 287 00:31:29,940 --> 00:31:38,940 I love Psalm 23 it's beautiful so my invitation to you this morning is to proclaim the goodness of God 288 00:31:38,940 --> 00:31:48,940 And to long and to be eager and to desire to be in communion with him all the days of your life amen