Yahweh Rohi
The Names of God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 22:28
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· 480 viewsGod is Yahweh Rohi. God is my Shepherd.
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Let’s read our theme verse for the series together.
17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.
Elohim - He is the Mighty Creator God.
Elohim - He is the Mighty Creator God.
El Roi - He is the God who sees me.
El Roi - He is the God who sees me.
El Shaddai - He is the Almighty God.
El Shaddai - He is the Almighty God.
El Elyon - He is God Most High.
El Elyon - He is God Most High.
Yahweh Jireh - God will see to it. God will provide.
Yahweh Jireh - God will see to it. God will provide.
Yahweh Nissi - God is my banner
Yahweh Nissi - God is my banner
Yahweh Shalom - God is peace
Yahweh Shalom - God is peace
Yahweh Tsuri - God is my rock.
Yahweh Tsuri - God is my rock.
This morning. we are going to be exploring what may be the best loved Psalm in the Bible. This Psalm has been used to comfort many people in times of difficulty. This morning we are going to look at the 23rd Psalm.
Open your Bibles to .
You could probably do an entire message series on these six verses. Everything in this Psalm flows from the relationship God has with his people. This is a simple psalm structurally, but its meaning has deep riches. Let’s read this Psalm together.
A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
When you think about a shepherd, what do you picture? “In Israel, as in other ancient societies, a shepherd’s work was considered the lowest of all works. If a family needed a shepherd, it was always the youngest son, like David, who got this unpleasant assignment. Shepherds need to live with the sheep twenty-four hours a day, and the task of caring for them is unending. Day and night, summer and winter, in fair weather and foul, they labor to nourish, guide, and protect the sheep. Who in his right mind would choose to be a shepherd?”
Yet, God chose to reveal himself to his people as their shepherd. God is Yahweh Rohi. God is my shepherd.
Yahweh Rohi - God is my shepherd.
Yahweh Rohi - God is my shepherd.
This revelation of God is deeply profound. The omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, sovereign God of the universe humbles himself to be your shepherd. It is a deeply intimate and personal picture of our relationship with God. He is my shepherd. He is your shepherd.
This revelation of God is used about 10 times in the Old Testament. The implication is that if God is my shepherd, then I am his sheep, which is not a very flattering characterization. Sheep are utterly helpless animals. They are quite stubborn and quite dumb. They don’t know what is good for them and they need constant care. If they roll on their backs, they are unable to roll back over. If they aren’t rolled back over, they become distressed and they die. Look at the Psalm again. What is the first thing David writes about Yahweh being his shepherd?
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.
God is my shepherd; therefore, I have what I need. He makes sure that our every need is taken care of in a timely manner. Everything we need is supplied. Notice, it is everything we need, not everything we want or everything we think we need. God gives us what we need. I don’t know if you have realized this before, but for the rest of , David tells us what we need.
What do you need?
You need God’s peace in your life ().
You need God’s peace in your life ().
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
In Israel, like here in Texas, things are only green seasonally. When it gets hot and dry, everything turns brown and dies. Green pastures are hard to find in the hot and dry seasons, but not for our Shepherd. The green pastures and the quiet waters are symbolic of a peaceful place. Here is the amazing reality. God’s peace is not seasonal. It is constant. God’s sheep always have access to the green pastures and quiet waters of God’s peace.
“Phillip Keller is a pastor and author who for eight years was himself a shepherd. Out of that experience he has written A Shepherd Looks at . It throws light on this and other statements. Sheep do not lie down easily, Keller says. In fact, ‘It is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met. Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear. Because of the social behavior within a flock sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind. If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax. Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger.’
Fear. Friction. Flies. Famine. Sheep must be free from each of these to be contented. And as Keller notes, only the shepherd can provide the trust, peace, deliverance, and pasture that is needed to free the sheep from them.”
This is what our Shepherd provides for us. He provides us peace and contentment when we are with him.
What do you need?
You need God’s peace in your life.
You need God’s peace in your life.
You need God’s guidance in your life. ()
You need God’s guidance in your life. ()
3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
The picture is of a sheep who has a problem. Perhaps the sheep has wandered away. Maybe the sheep is fearful of something or someone. Maybe the sheep has friction with other sheep in the herd. Maybe the sheep needs to feed and drink. The point is that the sheep has problems and the shepherd renews or restores the sheep to the right place.
The shepherd leads the sheep down the right path. It is the reputation of the shepherd that is on the line. Notice, he doesn’t lead you down the right path for your sake. He leads you down the right path for his name’s sake. He leads you down the right path because of who he is. He is the Good Shepherds. He doesn’t just care for his people, his sheep. He love us. He leads them and guides them. He walks before them. He never drives his sheep. He goes before them and because they trust the shepherd they follow behind him. They know his voice and they follow him.
God has shown you the ways of life. He has shown us how to live in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. Do you trust the shepherd? He has provided you every reason to trust him. He has demonstrated his faithfulness and loving kindness. Don’t be a stubborn sheep who refuses to walk according to God’s ways. You need God’s guidance in your life. You need God’s peace in your life.
You need God’s presence in your life. ()
You need God’s presence in your life. ()
4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
Have you ever gone through a dark valley in your life? Some tragedy has come into your life and has stolen everything you have hoped for in life. If your life is anything like mine, your life is complex. Maybe you have some things that are okay, but other things are failing apart. Maybe your marriage is blessed, but your child is making crazy stupid decisions. Perhaps you feel closer to God than you ever have before, but you are afraid you are going to lose your job. Maybe you got some really bad medical news. Maybe your job is going really well, but your marriage is on the rocks. There are so many good things in our lives, but at the same time there are things that are happening around us and to us which take us down into the valley. You might even be tempted to think, “Where is God when I am in the valley?”
The difficulties of the valley are real, but God is with you. He is for me. Greater is the one who is in me than he that is in the world. Our Shepherd is armed and ready to protect us. He is armed with a rod. Today, we would use the word “cudgel”.
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The shepherd would have a cudgel tucked in his belt, ready to use in defense of his flock. He would also carry a staff, which would provide another means of defense. God is our defender and protector. He is always with us and we don’t need to be afraid. No matter how dark the valley, God is with you and he is on guard and ready.
In these final two verses of , the illustration shifts from God being our Shepherd to God being our host.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
What do you need? You need God’s peace. You need God’s guidance. You need God’s presence. You need God’s blessings.
You need God’s blessings in your life. ()
You need God’s blessings in your life. ()
If you were in ancient Israel, and you were the guest of someone, you would receive food, housing, companionship, and protection. The amount of provisions could vary depending on the class of the host. The host described in is indeed a wealthy and lavish host to bless the guest in such extravagant ways.
“To sit as a guest at the table of a host was to be assured of food, housing, fellowship and protection. The table prepared in the presence of David’s enemies was the host’s public announcement to them not to attempt to molest David in any way. This offered great security, especially since the host was a man of influence and generosity. The amount of security which any host could provide depended upon his prestige and power. The abundance of his provisions indicated that he was a prosperous, powerful, and generous man. To have the hospitality of such a host was to be secure indeed!”
Look at the blessings the host provides. He prepares the table in a place of protection from the enemies. No one can touch you without going through the host first. He anoints your head with oil. This means he is honoring you. The God of the universe honors you as his favored guest! Your cup overflows. He doesn’t just give you a little bit of blessing. Your cup overflows. You have more than enough.
Because of the generosity of God, only goodness and faithful love will will follow after you all of your days. Not only does God lead us as our Shepherd, but his character traits of goodness and faithful love follow behind us making sure we have everything we need. Finally, your dwelling place, the place you call home is God’s house.
The Psalmist is describing a place of absolute security and provision. God supplies everything we need. We have need for nothing as children of God and the sheep of his pasture. God is Yahweh Rohi. God is my Shepherd.
Perhaps, you are here this morning and something has caused you to doubt the care of the Great Shepherd. Maybe you doubt his care because you are going through something difficult right now. I have been there. You are going through some hardship and you doubt the care of God. You feel forgotten or even abandoned. It is a common temptation to think God only cares and is with us when everything is going good.
Are you one of his
I want you to hear this and remember this. It is of vital importance. What you think about matters.
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.
Your current situation might be in the valley, but you can set your mind on God. Your emotions might be racing, but your can set your mind on the truth of God’s Word. Your spirit may be crushed, but you can set your mind on the promises of God. The difficulties of the valley are real, but when your mind is set on the things of God, you will find the peace, guidance, presence, and blessings that can only come from God. When you are tempted to doubt the care of the Great Shepherd, set your mind on God.
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.
Philippians 4
Your current situation might be in the valley, but you can set your mind on God. Your emotions might be racing, but your can set your mind on the truth of God’s Word. Your spirit may be crushed, but you can set your mind on the promises of God. The difficulties of the valley are real, but when your mind is set on the things of God, you will find the peace, guidance, presence, and blessings that can only come from God. When you are tempted to doubt the care of the Great Shepherd, set your mind on God.
Your current situation might be in the valley, but you can set your mind on God. Your emotions might be racing, but your mind is set on God. Your spirit may be crushed, but your mind is set on God. There is just so much to do, you feel the pressures of the holiday season, you wonder how you are going to pay for it all, but your mind is set on God. The difficulties of the valley are real, but your mind is set on the things of God. God is with me. He is for me. Greater is the one who is in me than he that is in the world. My God goes before me and prepares the way for me. The Holy Spirit gives me strength. Of course you can’t make it without the power of God in your life. You may be in the valley, but your mind is set on the things of God
Before we close this morning, I need to ask you a question. Do you belong to God? Are you one of his? You see, the promises of peace, guidance, presence, and blessing only belong to those who belong to the Great Shepherd, Yahweh Rohi. Here is something deeply profound. The Great Shepherd became a sacrificial lamb for you. Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to take away the sin of the world.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
There is right and there is wrong. All of us have done wrong.
6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all.
Your sin separates you from God. The good news is that God did something for us that we couldn’t do for ourselves. Jesus left heaven to come to earth. God took on flesh in the person of Jesus and lived a perfect life in every way. Without ever sinning, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins and our offenses. He died in our place for the forgiveness of sins. On the third day, when the stone was rolled away, Jesus was not there. The tomb was empty. Jesus had risen from the dead, so that anyone, that includes you, who calls on the name of Jesus would be saved and forgiven.
6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all.
Your sin separates you from God. The good news is that God did something for us that we couldn’t do for ourselves. Jesus left heaven to come to earth. God took on flesh in the person of Jesus and lived a perfect life in every way. Without ever sinning, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins and our offenses. He died in our place for the forgiveness of sins. On the third day, when the stone was rolled away, Jesus was not there. The tomb was empty. Jesus had risen from the dead, so that anyone, that includes you, who calls on the name of Jesus would be saved and forgiven.
There are those of you here today who need to surrender to Jesus. You do not need to clean up your life first. You don’t need to get better and stop doing bad things. You come to Jesus just as you are. When you come to him he will change you from the inside out. He will forgive every sin you have ever done and will make you brand new.
The good news is that God did something for us that we couldn’t do for ourselves. Jesus left heaven to come to earth. God took on flesh in the person of Jesus and lived a perfect life in every way. Without ever sinning, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins and our offenses. He died in our place for the forgiveness of sins. On the third day, when the stone was rolled away, Jesus was not there. The tomb was empty. Jesus had risen from the dead, so that anyone, that includes you, who calls on the name of Jesus would be saved and forgiven.
There are those of you here today who need to surrender to Jesus. You do not need to clean up your life first. You don’t need to get better and stop doing bad things. You come to Jesus just as you are. When you come to him he will change you from the inside out. He will forgive every sin you have ever done and will make you brand new.
There are those of you who recognize that you do not belong to God. You are serving yourself, but today, you will say, “I am turning away from my sin and giving my life to Jesus.”
Would you pray this prayer with me?
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins, make me new. I ask Jesus to be my Savior and to be the Lord of my life, first in every way. My life is not my own, I give it to you. Thank you for new life. In Jesus’ name, I pray.” Amen.
Our deacons will be coming forward to pray with you and for you. If you prayed to receive Jesus, please come and let us pray with you and celebrate your new life in Christ. If God is dealing in your heart and life right now, don’t let this moment pass.
As you stand and we sing together.
<after closing the time of invitation>
Perhaps you didn’t come forward for one reason or another, but you really do want to talk with us about what is going on in your life. Perhaps you need help, prayer, or you just want to know more about being a follower of Jesus. I would encourage you to do one of two things. After we are dismissed, just stay where you are. One of our deacons will come and talk with you and pray with you. The other thing you can do is check one of the boxes on the Connection Card. Put it in the offering plate as it passes. We will get in touch with you this week. You see, this church exists to minister to one another. We are here to support you in your walk with God.