Under the care of the Shepherd.

In moments like those it is good to meditate on the most famous of the Psalms, ; a passage of Scripture that has been an inspirations to many throughout the centuries. God has used that psalm to sustain those who believe in Him.

Background: David and Absalom…

The first portion reminds us of relationship, provision, rest, and guidance.

Of relationship thru His continuous presence.

His continuous presence.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me;” 4a

If He is with me why should I fear?

No matter how serious the problem or how deep the valley we might go through, the Almighty is present, He is with us!

Who or what can prevail against God? Nobody and nothing. If He is in control why should I fear?

We must trust that He is with us and will take care of us. The well known hymn “God will take care of you.” reminds that there is no reason to fear:

Amazing Grace—366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions 11. God Will Take Care of You

Civilla Martin wrote this hymn when she herself needed to learn the lesson of resting in God’s care. Her husband, the Reverend W. Stillman Martin, was a well-known Baptist evangelist. One Sunday in 1904, Mrs. Martin became ill suddenly and was unable to accompany her husband to his preaching assignment some distance away. As Mr. Martin considered canceling his trip, their young son exclaimed, “Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you’re away?” Returning that evening after seeing several people profess Christ as Savior, Mr. Martin found his wife greatly improved and busily writing this text, which had been suggested by her son’s words. That same evening, Stillman Martin composed the music, providing God’s people with another endearing hymn that has ministered to hurting hearts.

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; beneath His wings of love abide; God will take care of you.

Thru days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; when dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide; God will take care of you; nothing you ask will be denied; God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; lean, weary one, upon His breast; God will take care of you.

Chorus: God will take care of you, thru ev’ry day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you; God will take care of you.

He will never leave me.

- Nothing can separate us from His love.

Romans 8:35 NASB95

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:38–39 NASB95

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom 8:38-39

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- The Good Shepherd has given us a very special promise:

"I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"

His sure protection.

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me;” 4b

Defending us from the enemies.

For David the enemy was the least expected: his own son. As a wolf or a lion wanting to devour an inoffensive sheep, he was trying to get rid of his father.

Sheep cannot defend themselves… They must depend on the pastor’s protection. Likewise we must depend on God when facing dangers.

To face wolves, pastors carried a thick rod and a sling. For the sheep that rod meant protection.

“What then shall we say…..? If God is for us, who is against us?”

Disciplining us when we need it.

- Pastors also carried a staff to guide the sheep and to pull those sheep that tried to scatter or wander away. A way of protection that is usually misunderstood is a father’s discipline. It is for our own welfare.

Hebrews 12:5–6 NASB95

and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

Heb 12:5-6

"MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,

NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."

What David was suffering was probably part of God’s discipline for David’s sin with Bathsheba, just as Nathan prophesied it.

His abundant provision.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;… my cup overflows.” 5a,c

Very often the difficulties we face are finance related. Losing our job, not making enough money, or unexpected expenses. No matter the situation, we can count on God’s provision.

We will see Him:

Giving us abundant bread.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures;” 2a

As providing pasture for sheep is the job of the shepherd, Our Shepherd will bring food to our table. He’ll give us what our body and soul need.

Enemies will envy you when they see God’s provision in your life.

Supplying every single need every single day.

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,” 6a

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” 1

No person can appreciate God’s goodness better than the believer. We experience it daily. We’re the recipients of His grace.

Philippians 4:19 NASB95

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The second portion of the psalm reminds us of sanctification and eternal destiny:

He has consecrated you.

“You have anointed my head with oil;” 5b

Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. He has anointed you with His Spirit.

God had chosen (consecrated) David as He has chosen you for a special purpose. He will not allow anything to happen to you until His purpose is fulfilled.

Trials are a just a reminder to live according to his will.

His promise of eternal security.

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 6

Dwelling in His presence.

David was not afraid of dying. That lack of fear of death gave him the courage to face Goliath and the Philistines. If he was fleeing from Absalom was not because he was afraid to die, but because He didn’t want to kill his son.

To David, as Paul wrote, “to die was a gain”. He knew if he would die he would go directly to God’s presence.

We have received a similar promise from the Good Shepherd:

John 14:1–3 NASB95

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Enjoying fullness of joy.

David knew that, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord had something special for him. He had written:

Psalm 16:11 NASB95

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psa 16:11

Are you going thru a difficult time? Are you facing sickness? Are you in need? Are you in danger?

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;