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“I Shall Not Want
Psalm 23:1

 

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Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas

Lent Service II—March 8, 2017

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“The Lord is my shepherd . . .”  We continue our sermon series, “A Lenten Look at Psalm 23”: “I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

It is very revealing and instructive that that Lord chooses to describe our relationship to him as like that of sheep to their shepherd.  You see, sheep are not very intelligent or clever animals.  They are unable to look after themselves.  Their welfare is entirely dependent upon their shepherd.  If they have a good shepherd, they will not be lacking in anything.  But, if they have a bad shepherd, they will have a hard and bitter life. 

In his book “A Shepherd looks as Psalm 23,” Phillip Keller writes about his own firsthand experiences from working many years as a shepherd:

“The shepherd on the farm next to my first ranch was the most indifferent man I had ever met. He was not concerned about the condition of his sheep. His land was neglected. He gave little or no time to his flock, letting them pretty well forage for themselves as best they could, both summer and winter. They fell prey to dogs, cougars, and rustlers.

“Every year these poor creatures were forced to gnaw away at their brown fields and impoverished pastures. Every winter there was a shortage of nourishing hay and wholesome grain to feed the hungry sheep. Shelter to safeguard and protect the suffering sheep from storms and blizzards was scanty and inadequate.

“They had only polluted, muddy water to drink. There was a lack of salt and other trace minerals needed to offset their sickly pastures. In their thin, weak, and diseased condition, these poor sheep were a pathetic site.

“I can still see them standing at the fence, huddled sadly in little knots, staring wistfully through the wires at the rich pastures on my ranch on the other side.

“To all their distress, the heartless, selfish shepherd seemed utterly callous and indifferent. He simply did not care. What if his sheep did want green grass, fresh water, shade, safety, or shelter from the storms? What if they did want relief from wounds, bruises, disease, and parasites?  He ignored their needs, he couldn’t care less. Why should he?  They were just sheep.”

That is the attitude of a cruel, uncaring, bad shepherd.  But we have a good shepherd; THE Good Shepherd.  In the ancient world the loyalty and devotion of a good shepherd toward his flock was well-known and highly praised.  It was a great virtue to be a good shepherd.  Isaiah describes blessedness of the Good Shepherd’s flock: “They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.”

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.”  Phillip Keller also writes about this verse:

“The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very makeup, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down, unless four requirements are met:

“They refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.

“Sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction within the flock.

“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.

“It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravation, and hunger. The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the shepherd himself who can provide release from these anxieties.”

The most important thing a good shepherd provides for his flock is peace and security, so that the sheep have rest and refreshment.  Trust in your Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for you.  He soothes your anxieties and blesses you with refreshing peace of mind and soul.  “My sheep listen to my voice”, Jesus said.  “I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. . .  Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

The blessedness and peace that Psalm 23 describes will culminate in heaven, as John writes in Revelation: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. . .  And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. . .’  Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?’ I answered, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.”  Amen.

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