July 10, 2005  •  Pastor Randy Smith

It is good to be back from our vacation. We visited family in the Midwest and then camped in Kentucky and Virginia. I have referred to our trip as "relaxed-intensity." Traveling through almost a dozen states, sleeping in 9 different locations in 13 days and visiting numerous attractions at mach 5 with three young children called for some adrenaline and much needed grace. Nevertheless, we had an enjoyable time and are happy to return refreshed and renewed. We are thankful for your prayers and the faithful men who stepped up during my absence.

One thing that is always nice during a vacation is being able to do what you enjoy doing for as long as you want to do it. There is a freedom that comes from not being bound by time. There is a blessing incurred from not having to strap that one armed handcuff called a watch around our wrist.

In the spirit of Psalm 23, someone once said:

(Source unknown)

Do you ever feel that way regarding time or anything else for that matter?

Whether it be the bondage of time or the quest for satisfaction or the freedom of contentment or the pursuit of love or the absence of worry or the removal of fear or the desire for acceptance or the need for guidance, the Holy Scriptures, as we have learned in Psalm 23, declare that the child of God has a Shepherd who is sufficient to minister to our deepest needs.

Over three thousand years ago, David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned these memorable words:

(Psm. 23:1-6).

We have already covered verses 1-4. As the Lord permits, I would like to conclude with verses 5-6 in preparation for the Lord’s Table.

As I mentioned before, the Psalm contains imagery relating a shepherd to his sheep that is intended to portray God’s relationship to His children. And as I was meditating on this Psalm over the past three weeks, the Lord impressed upon my heart the wonderful light that Psalm 23 sheds on significant, often hotly debated, theological issues.

Question: Can a Christian lose his or her salvation? Let’s stay within the imagery of Psalm 23. There is no doubt that sheep can stray from a shepherd. However a sheep’s security is not dependent on the sheep itself. A sheep’s security is dependent on the watchful eye of the shepherd. A good shepherd cares diligently for his flock to be sure none of them are ever missing. Why? Because he loves the sheep? Absolutely! But more so, he eagerly preserves the flock for the sake of his reputation — "For His name’s sake" (Psm. 23:3c)!

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (Jn. 10:28-29; cf. 17:12). If Jesus the Good Shepherd Himself, were ever to allow one of His sheep to perish, could we really call Him a "Good Shepherd?"

Surely David had this assurance not in his own ability, but in the abilities of God, His Shepherd, who is able to keep His sheep from perishing (1 Pet. 1:5a). In verse 6, he confidently said, "Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (emphasis added).

Question: Should Christians be motivated by the anger or the love of God? Naturally, both of these attributes need to be understood and appreciated, but which attribute should be the primary motivator to promote godly conduct in our lives? Do we obey God to avoid the righteous discipline when we stray, or do we obey God because we understand the love and mercy that He has for His flock?

Isaiah 40 is a chapter that concentrates on the supremacy of God. A quick reading is enough to make each of us tremble. However, nestled away in the center is one powerful verse that gives us hope. Our God is a Consuming Fire, but He is also tender and forgiving and longsuffering. "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes" (Isa. 40:11).

Like any shepherd for his sheep, God wants us to see the loving care He has for His flock. He wants that love to be the primary impetus to lead us to reciprocate our love through grateful obedience. When we are motivated from a fear of discipline, we are primarily stimulated by self-centeredness — a concern over our personal well-being. "He’s going to get me if I don’t obey." However, when we are motivated from God’s love (and not the "rod" that may come sailing), we are primarily moved by God’s glory — knowing that He is worthy of our most honorable conduct (2 Cor. 5:14).

Question: Do Christians have a responsibility to obey Jesus Christ? This is often referred to as the so-called, "Lordship controversy." Once again, let us return to our shepherding imagery. We learned in previous weeks that sheep are noted for their stubbornness, stupidity, defenselessness, and bad habits. Though sheep think they know what is in their best interests, they are dependent on a shepherd who knows how to care for their welfare. In other words, on their own, they are doomed!

With this in mind, why would any Christian not want to follow the words of His Shepherd, Jesus Christ, as they are recorded in Scripture? Especially when His Shepherd gives perfect counsel that is always concerned with his best interest. Are we to be foolish and stubborn sheep that think we can ignore our Shepherd’s words and expect to go unscathed? Rather, should we not view the Scriptures as the living Word of God, the Shepherd whom we love, seek and yearn to please?

Furthermore, a sheep is identified by the voice of the shepherd it chooses to follow? Remember the words of Jesus? "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (Jn. 10:27). How can we claim to belong to God’s sheepfold and ignore His voice and follow the voice of the enemy?

With these points in mind, allow us now to conclude the final two verses of this marvelous psalm. First, verse 5. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows."

If David is continuing with his shepherding metaphor, it is difficult to determine what is meant by his reference to a "table." Of all that I read, Phillip Keller seems the most reasonable in his explanation.

He mentioned that the high plateaus of the sheep ranges are called "tables." These areas are often remote and difficult to reach. Upon finding a prospective "table," the shepherd must undergo extensive preparation before the sheep may arrive. Salt supplies must be distributed throughout the range. The best camps must be located. Dangers must be observed. And watering holes must be made usable. Although many enemies are lurking nearby, the good shepherd prepares the "table" prior to the arrival of his flock. Everything is set in order to promote their finest accommodation.

In the same way, God adequately prepares everything that is necessary for His flock. While His enemies (who are our enemies) look on, they are helpless to override His provisions for our care. He provides for us all the necessities for physical existence. He equips us with spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:11) and clothes us with spiritual armor (Eph. 6:11). Basically, He grants us "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Pet. 1:3). Most of all, He gives us the greatest gift, communion with Himself.

This morning we have set before us a table, the table of Communion. The elements contained on this table are symbolic of the greatest table the Lord has provided for His flock. To understand this table is to understand His love. Soon we will remember the One who became man and shed His blood for our sins, providing us forgiveness, redemption and adoption into His flock.

We envision our Lord as the great host, who has prepared a banquet for His subjects (Isa. 25:6-7). No expenses have been spared. We have no wants (verse 1). The table has been set, and it’s loaded. Everything we need has been amply supplied. Despite the presence of our enemies, we are at perfect peace as we dine with our Savior. The Apostle wrote in Romans 8, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things" (Rom. 8:31-32).

The shepherding and banquet imagery continues. As verse 5 says, "(He anoints) my head with oil." Oil was a vital resource in the care for sheep, but it was also used by humans in the ancient world. Before entering a home or banquet hall for that matter, oil was provided by the host as a sign of hospitality (Lk. 7:46). It was given for the purpose of refreshing the skin. In Ecclesiastes Solomon said, "Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head" (Ecc. 9:8). In the Old Testament, oil came to be referred to a symbol for joy (Psm. 45:7; 92:10; 133:2). David said in this verse, "You have anointed my head with oil." In other words, "God, You have given me joy!" God gives us this joy as a by-product of the Holy Spirit.

Further in verse 5 the Psalmist said, "My cup overflows." The cup at the banquet was normally filled with wine. Water was scarce and often contaminated and therefore it was purified with wine. The Scriptures condemn drunkenness and do not advocate alcohol, but the Old Testament symbolism of wine was also that of joy. We saw this illustrated two years ago in John 2 when Jesus demonstrated the joy of the New Covenant which he came to inaugurate but producing wine at the wedding feast.

In verse 5, we are left with the picture of our joy overflowing. We are left with a picture of our Lord pouring blessings upon blessings, more than we can even take in. "We hold a cup (said Henry Law in the 17th century); God's hand supplies it; He pours in pleasures to the extent of capacity to receive. The overjoyed believer feels, "Stop, stop; it is enough;" but still the goblet overflows. Who can measure the delights of God's presence, smile, and word" (Law, Psalm, 23, 1878)? Why does the cup overflow? To help us see more of the Giver and then use these blessings to minister His love to others.

Just as oil would sooth the skin, wine would sooth the dusty and parched throat of life in the desert. In one of the Psalms, the writer (possibly David) thanked God for "wine which makes man’s heart glad (and oil to) make his face glisten" (Psm. 104:15). God’s "abundant grace" (Ac. 4:33), "grace upon grace" (Jn. 1:16), gave David unspeakable joy and his face shone!

James Boice said, "David knew of God’s great love and provision; his face shone, and his heart was made merry because of it. Oh for the shining face and the merry heart today! For too many have scowling faces and gloomy hearts, but that is not what God intends for His children. Instead, if we will allow Him to lead us to the high pastures of the Christian life we will find our table prepared, our head anointed with purest oil, and our cups overflowing with the wine of joy" (Boice, John, p. 751).

Finally, verse 6. "Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

The benefits of a loving and skilled shepherd are all summarized here. All of the sheep as well as the children of God who belong to a caring shepherd boast in the abundance of His provision. They have not only experienced it, but are assured based on the shepherd’s character that goodness and lovingkindness will follow them, pursue them and overtake them all the days of their lives.

Goodness and lovingkindness — "All the days of my life," said David. All the days, not some of the days. All of the days regardless of my feelings and circumstances and sin, goodness and lovingkindness will actively pursue me. "(The) twin guardian angels (as Spurgeon said that) will always be with me" (Spurgeon, Treasury of David, p. 356). No difficulty can arise, no dilemma can emerge and no disaster can overtake that will not be bathed in our Shepherd’s love and brought forth from our Shepherd’s goodness. Why? Because He is a Good Shepherd! Because He is with us (verse 4). Because He cares for the well-being of His sheep even when they don’t deserve it - that’s grace! And because He cares for the integrity of His reputation. Ephesians 2:7, "So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus

Looking back, all the blessings from verses 1-5 flow from the lovingkindness and goodness of God. And looking forward, we can be confident that His lovingkindness and goodness will follow us all the days of our lives, in this life and also in the life to come as we "dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

So content with the Shepherd’s care, God’s sheep are utterly satisfied to desire eternity in His sheepfold. There is a comfort to know that one day we will depart from this world and the shadows of death we constantly face to "forever" be in the presence of our Good Shepherd (Psm. 27:4). In this sheepfold says Revelation 7 "(God’s sheep) will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes" (Rev. 7:16-17).

Oh what comfort! Oh how we long for that day! But as Jesus made clear, this blessing only extends to the sheep of His fold that enter through Him. "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture" (Jn. 10:7-9).

Keller, in his book, recalled a sad event. He said, "As winter, with its cold rains and chilling winds came on, my neighbor’s sickly sheep would stand huddled at the fence, their tails to the storm, facing the rich fields in which my flock flourished. These poor, abused, neglected creatures under the ownership of a heartless rancher had known nothing but suffering most of the year." Keller goes on to say they were malnourished, diseased and tormented by flies and predators. He continues, "Some were so weak and thin and wretched that their thin legs could scarcely bear their scanty frames." As you can well imagine, these sheep were forever looking to find another pasture and another shepherd who cared.

One day Keller found three of his neighbors sheep in his field. He loaded them into a wheelbarrow and brought them back to their heartless owner only to watch him pull out his knife and slit their throats. Keller said this reminded him of Satan who holds cruel ownership over so many who live in his fold and listen to his voice (Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, p. 137-139).

If you have yet to do so, all of you have an opportunity to forsake the pastures of Satan and enjoy the blessings of the Good Shepherd mentioned in Psalm 23. However you must come through the proper gate. You must enter through Jesus Christ by faith and repentance. You must commit yourself to His ownership alone. You must accept His work on the cross as the sufficient payment for your sin and the only means to be made right with God.

As I was recalling the final two verses of Psalm 23, I couldn’t help from observing its profound connection to the cross. He faced the fury of my enemies so I could receive his table in peace and victory. His head was crowned with thorns so mine could be anointed with oil. He drank the bitter cup for my sin so my cup can overflow with joy. He experienced wrath and judgment so I can experience goodness and lovingkindness. He was forsaken by the Father so I can dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

With this we conclude our three part series on Psalm 23.

(Source Unknown)

To be read during prayer and reflection:

Phillip Keller
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Zondervan, 1970, p. 107—108
Used by permission