“SHEEP IN THE VALLEY”
TEXT: Psalm 23:4
THESIS: To show how sheep should react when they are in the valley with the Shepherd.
INTRO: A. Because sheep are defenseless they need courage in something or someone outside themselves. Sheep are the most helpless animals in the domestic world. A sheep could have the courage of a lion and still be utterly helpless in the face of a little sheep-killing dog, or a small poisonous serpent. The sheep needs courage, not to fight the lion, but to trust the Shepherd! It takes more courage to trust the Shepherd than it does to fight the lion.
B. Because sheep are fearful and anxious they need comfort from something or someone outside themselves. When sheep are feeding with their noses down in the green pastures and they hear the roar of the lion or the howl of a wolf, the wise sheep look not in the direction of the lion or the wolf, but in the direction of the Shepherd, and then with the comfort of his presence, the sheep can continue to feed.
TRANS: It is with these two concepts courage and comfort, that the Psalmist concerns himself with in v.4.
BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD...
I. I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COURAGE:
NOTE: With the approach of the blazing summer heat upon the flat grazing lands, the wise Shepherd leads his flock to the cool high country where he will spend the next several months completely alone with his sheep. To get there he must pass thru the “valley of the shadow of death” where dangers lurk around every bend and behind every rock and in every crevice.
A. In The Shadows:
ILLUS: The good shepherd will have gone before the sheep to scout out the area thoroughly. HE will know every danger along the way, especially in the dark valley. Our Shepherd can lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, because He has been there first! And he knows all about sheep for he was one of us for 33 yrs! He was “the Lamb of God...” Jn.1:29
1. In order for there to be a shadow, there must be substance.
a. Death is a reality!
b. It is a lonely reality...no human being can go with you...you are on your own.
c. You may have close fellowship with a mother, father, wife, husband or children, but you
will have no human fellowship in the valley of the shadow of death.
d. The one wonderful exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who has been there before us and
knows the way and will go through it with us!
ILLUS: There are 4 causes for the Christian’s death: 1) The believer’s work is finished 2) To glorify God (Phil.1:20,21) 3) Divine discipline 4) human will overriding God’s will (suicide {sudden} or failure to trust God with subsequent {prolonged} death. The first two are accept able and there need be no fear. The last two are deplorable and there should be fear here.
2. In order for there to be a shadow, there must be light.
NOTE: No longer does David talk about the Shepherd (“He”), but now talks to the Shepherd(“Thou”). David is speaking about the intimate personal relationship the sheep has with the Shepherd as they together go through the valley.
a. The light is what makes the diff. bet. the death of a believer and the death of the unbel.
b. The unbel. goes out into the dark alone: “the blackness of darkness forever.” Jude 13
c. The believer goes out into the light because the Light of the world goes with him!
B. Because of the Shepherd:
ILLUS: The Shepherd knows that the most intimate times of fellowship between himself and his sheep only come after they travel up through the valley to the high ground! No wonder David could say: “...I will fear no evil!”
If you knew that you were going to have to go through that valley soon wouldn’t you stay closer to the Shepherd now? When the Shepherd led his flock on the plains they would often scatter and lag behind, but when they went thru the dark and dangerous valley of the shadow they would catch up and cluster as close to the Shepherd as possible! How close do you live to the Shepherd now?
1. His Presence: “Thou art with me...”
2. His Protection: “I will fear no evil...” (Not even the evil of death!)
II. I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COMFORT:
A. The Rod: (God’s Word)
1. For discipline.
ILLUS: The rod was selected by the Shepherd himself and hand carved to make it most useful for him to use. It was like a club which could be hurled at the sheep to keep them close to him if they should wander where danger lurked.
a. The rod became an extension of the hand of the shepherd.
b. It symbolized authority and ownership.
Ps. 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
c. Sometimes it would be dipped in red dye and a sheep would be marked out for sacrifice.
ILLUS: There is a 3 fold use of the ROD in Script. for discipline: Discipline of Children: “He that spareth his ROD hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Prov.13:24; Discipline of a Church: “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a ROD...?” I Cor .4:21; Discipline of a Nation: “Thou shalt break them with a ROD of iron” Ps.2:9
2. For defense:
a. This rod was not only hurled in the direction of wayward sheep, but it was hurled at enemies to the sheep: wolves, lions, serpents, etc.
b. Sometimes the rod would be used to carefully examine the sheep.
Ezek.20:37a
And I will cause you to pass under the rod...
ILLUS: To “pass under the rod” was so the Shepherd could count and examine his sheep. Because of the long wool on the sheep it is not easy to detect disease, defects or wounds on the sheep. At a show a shepherd can clip and shape the sheep so as to appear a perfect specimen. But a skilled Shepherd/judge will take his rod and part the sheep’s wool to determine the condition of the skin, the cleanliness of the fleece and no one will be able to “pull the wool over his eyes.”
The Word of God is like that. It goes below the surface to expose hidden defects and things that need to be made right. It brings conviction and makes us aware of our needs.
B. The Staff: (God’s Spirit)
ILLUS: The Shepherd’s staff is unique to the profession. It is used for the care and management of sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or hogs. It is selected by the Shepherd and is designed, shaped and adapted especially to the needs of sheep and is used only for their benefit. It is a symbol of the Shepherd’s compassion and concern.
1. For direction:
Jn. 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
a. The Shepherd used the Shepherd’s crook to keep his sheep from danger by gently pulling him away from that danger and toward himself.
b. The Shepherd will often use the staff to simply touch the sheep so they are “in touch.”
2. For drawing:
a. The Shepherd will use his staff to draw sheep together into an intimate relationship.
QUOTE: Keller, “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” “The shepherd will use his staff to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if they become separated... I have watched skilled shepherds moving swiftly with their staffs amongst thousands of ewes that were lambing simultaneously. With deft but gentle strokes the newborn lambs are lifted with the staff and placed side-by-side with their dams. It is a touching sight...”
b. The Shepherd will use his staff to draw sheep to himself for intimate examination.
NOTE: The dear Holy Spirit, “the Comforter” will often draw Christians together into a warm, personal fellowship with one another and also draw us to our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.
CONCL: BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COURAGE not to fight for myself, but to trust in My Shepherd and I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COMFORT because the Word of God is my Rod and the Spirit of God is my Staff and they comfort me when all else fails.
Isn’t it about time YOU found out how the Lord can be YOUR Shepherd, as well as your Savior? Of course if He isn’t your Savior yet, that comes first.
THESIS: To show how sheep should react when they are in the valley with the Shepherd.
INTRO: A. Because sheep are defenseless they need courage in something or someone outside themselves. Sheep are the most helpless animals in the domestic world. A sheep could have the courage of a lion and still be utterly helpless in the face of a little sheep-killing dog, or a small poisonous serpent. The sheep needs courage, not to fight the lion, but to trust the Shepherd! It takes more courage to trust the Shepherd than it does to fight the lion.
B. Because sheep are fearful and anxious they need comfort from something or someone outside themselves. When sheep are feeding with their noses down in the green pastures and they hear the roar of the lion or the howl of a wolf, the wise sheep look not in the direction of the lion or the wolf, but in the direction of the Shepherd, and then with the comfort of his presence, the sheep can continue to feed.
TRANS: It is with these two concepts courage and comfort, that the Psalmist concerns himself with in v.4.
BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD...
I. I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COURAGE:
NOTE: With the approach of the blazing summer heat upon the flat grazing lands, the wise Shepherd leads his flock to the cool high country where he will spend the next several months completely alone with his sheep. To get there he must pass thru the “valley of the shadow of death” where dangers lurk around every bend and behind every rock and in every crevice.
A. In The Shadows:
ILLUS: The good shepherd will have gone before the sheep to scout out the area thoroughly. HE will know every danger along the way, especially in the dark valley. Our Shepherd can lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, because He has been there first! And he knows all about sheep for he was one of us for 33 yrs! He was “the Lamb of God...” Jn.1:29
1. In order for there to be a shadow, there must be substance.
a. Death is a reality!
b. It is a lonely reality...no human being can go with you...you are on your own.
c. You may have close fellowship with a mother, father, wife, husband or children, but you
will have no human fellowship in the valley of the shadow of death.
d. The one wonderful exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who has been there before us and
knows the way and will go through it with us!
ILLUS: There are 4 causes for the Christian’s death: 1) The believer’s work is finished 2) To glorify God (Phil.1:20,21) 3) Divine discipline 4) human will overriding God’s will (suicide {sudden} or failure to trust God with subsequent {prolonged} death. The first two are accept able and there need be no fear. The last two are deplorable and there should be fear here.
2. In order for there to be a shadow, there must be light.
NOTE: No longer does David talk about the Shepherd (“He”), but now talks to the Shepherd(“Thou”). David is speaking about the intimate personal relationship the sheep has with the Shepherd as they together go through the valley.
a. The light is what makes the diff. bet. the death of a believer and the death of the unbel.
b. The unbel. goes out into the dark alone: “the blackness of darkness forever.” Jude 13
c. The believer goes out into the light because the Light of the world goes with him!
B. Because of the Shepherd:
ILLUS: The Shepherd knows that the most intimate times of fellowship between himself and his sheep only come after they travel up through the valley to the high ground! No wonder David could say: “...I will fear no evil!”
If you knew that you were going to have to go through that valley soon wouldn’t you stay closer to the Shepherd now? When the Shepherd led his flock on the plains they would often scatter and lag behind, but when they went thru the dark and dangerous valley of the shadow they would catch up and cluster as close to the Shepherd as possible! How close do you live to the Shepherd now?
1. His Presence: “Thou art with me...”
2. His Protection: “I will fear no evil...” (Not even the evil of death!)
II. I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COMFORT:
A. The Rod: (God’s Word)
1. For discipline.
ILLUS: The rod was selected by the Shepherd himself and hand carved to make it most useful for him to use. It was like a club which could be hurled at the sheep to keep them close to him if they should wander where danger lurked.
a. The rod became an extension of the hand of the shepherd.
b. It symbolized authority and ownership.
Ps. 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
c. Sometimes it would be dipped in red dye and a sheep would be marked out for sacrifice.
ILLUS: There is a 3 fold use of the ROD in Script. for discipline: Discipline of Children: “He that spareth his ROD hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Prov.13:24; Discipline of a Church: “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a ROD...?” I Cor .4:21; Discipline of a Nation: “Thou shalt break them with a ROD of iron” Ps.2:9
2. For defense:
a. This rod was not only hurled in the direction of wayward sheep, but it was hurled at enemies to the sheep: wolves, lions, serpents, etc.
b. Sometimes the rod would be used to carefully examine the sheep.
Ezek.20:37a
And I will cause you to pass under the rod...
ILLUS: To “pass under the rod” was so the Shepherd could count and examine his sheep. Because of the long wool on the sheep it is not easy to detect disease, defects or wounds on the sheep. At a show a shepherd can clip and shape the sheep so as to appear a perfect specimen. But a skilled Shepherd/judge will take his rod and part the sheep’s wool to determine the condition of the skin, the cleanliness of the fleece and no one will be able to “pull the wool over his eyes.”
The Word of God is like that. It goes below the surface to expose hidden defects and things that need to be made right. It brings conviction and makes us aware of our needs.
B. The Staff: (God’s Spirit)
ILLUS: The Shepherd’s staff is unique to the profession. It is used for the care and management of sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or hogs. It is selected by the Shepherd and is designed, shaped and adapted especially to the needs of sheep and is used only for their benefit. It is a symbol of the Shepherd’s compassion and concern.
1. For direction:
Jn. 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
a. The Shepherd used the Shepherd’s crook to keep his sheep from danger by gently pulling him away from that danger and toward himself.
b. The Shepherd will often use the staff to simply touch the sheep so they are “in touch.”
2. For drawing:
a. The Shepherd will use his staff to draw sheep together into an intimate relationship.
QUOTE: Keller, “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” “The shepherd will use his staff to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if they become separated... I have watched skilled shepherds moving swiftly with their staffs amongst thousands of ewes that were lambing simultaneously. With deft but gentle strokes the newborn lambs are lifted with the staff and placed side-by-side with their dams. It is a touching sight...”
b. The Shepherd will use his staff to draw sheep to himself for intimate examination.
NOTE: The dear Holy Spirit, “the Comforter” will often draw Christians together into a warm, personal fellowship with one another and also draw us to our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.
CONCL: BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COURAGE not to fight for myself, but to trust in My Shepherd and I SHALL NOT WANT FOR COMFORT because the Word of God is my Rod and the Spirit of God is my Staff and they comfort me when all else fails.
Isn’t it about time YOU found out how the Lord can be YOUR Shepherd, as well as your Savior? Of course if He isn’t your Savior yet, that comes first.