What Does "the Lord Is My Shepherd" Imply?
A Charles Spurgeon Sermon Summary
Let’s learn from the metaphor: “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).
A shepherd guides his sheep and provides for their needs. In summer drought, he finds green pastures; and in winter, he finds them shelter. Since the sheep can’t defend themselves from predators, the shepherd fights off lions and wolves for them, day and night.
In return, the sheep must trust the shepherd and follow his lead, instead of going before him or choosing their own path. To prevent the sheep from stumbling into danger, the shepherd disciplines the sheep that wander off in ways they please.
Similarly, we must trust our Lord, whose precious blood has redeemed His flock and brought us from death to life. He paid too dear a price to let us perish (2 Peter 3:9, John 10:27-30).
Earnestly pay attention to His word and guidance. Quietly, patiently, and humbly follow His lead, whether in marriage, work, or other areas of life. Stay close to our Shepherd, who gives His sheep the best, including happiness and spiritual enjoyment, particularly to those closest to Him.
Don’t be anxious about the future. Remember our Lord’s past guidance and providential dealings, and that tomorrow is in His hands. He sends just enough manna for each day. We should depend on His grace to meet today’s trouble one by one as they come.
Recognize that the Shepherd has absolute right over our lives. We are the sheep of His pasture.
Beware of the great risk of sufficiency. Typically, living from hand to mouth creates more intimate awareness of God’s provision.
Due to our sinful nature, following God is challenging. But if you believe in Christ, you’ll have the Holy Spirit, who will enable you to recognize His voice, love His flock, hate evil and bad companies, bear insults, resist revenge, and give up control to Him. If you don’t believe in Christ and remain an unreconciled sinner under condemnation, you’ll continue to follow yourself, which will inevitably lead to destruction (John 10:27, 1 John 3:14).
So, trust God with child-like confidence and do good. He will provide for our physical and spiritual needs, and you can say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalms 37:3).
Summary of a sermon by Charles Spurgeon, titled, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H6NJQVSUm0
A shepherd guides his sheep and provides for their needs. In summer drought, he finds green pastures; and in winter, he finds them shelter. Since the sheep can’t defend themselves from predators, the shepherd fights off lions and wolves for them, day and night.
In return, the sheep must trust the shepherd and follow his lead, instead of going before him or choosing their own path. To prevent the sheep from stumbling into danger, the shepherd disciplines the sheep that wander off in ways they please.
Similarly, we must trust our Lord, whose precious blood has redeemed His flock and brought us from death to life. He paid too dear a price to let us perish (2 Peter 3:9, John 10:27-30).
Earnestly pay attention to His word and guidance. Quietly, patiently, and humbly follow His lead, whether in marriage, work, or other areas of life. Stay close to our Shepherd, who gives His sheep the best, including happiness and spiritual enjoyment, particularly to those closest to Him.
Don’t be anxious about the future. Remember our Lord’s past guidance and providential dealings, and that tomorrow is in His hands. He sends just enough manna for each day. We should depend on His grace to meet today’s trouble one by one as they come.
Recognize that the Shepherd has absolute right over our lives. We are the sheep of His pasture.
Beware of the great risk of sufficiency. Typically, living from hand to mouth creates more intimate awareness of God’s provision.
Due to our sinful nature, following God is challenging. But if you believe in Christ, you’ll have the Holy Spirit, who will enable you to recognize His voice, love His flock, hate evil and bad companies, bear insults, resist revenge, and give up control to Him. If you don’t believe in Christ and remain an unreconciled sinner under condemnation, you’ll continue to follow yourself, which will inevitably lead to destruction (John 10:27, 1 John 3:14).
So, trust God with child-like confidence and do good. He will provide for our physical and spiritual needs, and you can say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalms 37:3).
Summary of a sermon by Charles Spurgeon, titled, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H6NJQVSUm0