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A%20Shepherds%20Explanation

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Title: A%20Shepherds%20Explanation

1
A Shepherds Explanation
2

In this Psalm, we are being taken on a journey
with the sheep through the cycle of its year.
Now, as the sheep are following their shepherd
through the mountain valleys to the tables of
pastureland, we have continued to see the
intimate conversation they have on their way.

4
I. Surely goodness and lovingkindness
will follow me all the days
of my life.

We are astounded that David, a man whose life was
marked with adversity from his own king, from the
Philistines, from his own family and from his own
sins, said this.
There are sheep who have been led by their
shepherd through the valley of the shadow of
death. He has been led on to a tableland right
into the face of his enemies. He has experienced
the rod of his shepherd in discipline, yet he has
the wisdom to know that all of this was for his
best interests.

Can we be sheep like this?
Surely, it is easy to feel goodness and
lovingkindness will follow us right after we have
killed Goliath.
But what about right after Absalom has stolen
the kingdom?
Can we give thanks to our Shepherd for goodness
and lovingkindness in the difficult times?
To the shepherd, this statement has a double
meaning.
It refers to the goodness and lovingkindness
these sheep expects from his shepherd.
It also refers to the goodness and lovingkindness
that the sheep will leave in his wake because of
the work of the shepherd.
Consider Mr. Kellers description

Sheep can, under mismanagement, be the most
destructive livestock. In short order they can
ruin and ravage land almost beyond remedy. But in
bold contrast they can be the most beneficial
of all livestock if properly managed.
Their manure is the best balanced of any produced
by domestic stock. When scattered efficiently
over the pastures it proves of enormous benefit
to the soil. The sheeps habit of seeking the
highest rise of ground on which to rest insures
that the fertility from the rich low land is
re-deposited on the less productive higher
ground. No other livestock will consume as wide a
variety of herbage. Sheep eat all sorts of weeds
and other undesirable plants which might
otherwise invade a field In a few years a flock
of well-managed sheep will clean up and restore a
piece of ravaged land as no other creature can
do.

When we, as sheep, allow ourselves to be blessed
by following the Good Shepherd, we in turn leave
a wake of goodness and lovingkindness.
It is much like Jesus statement to Simon the
Pharisee in Luke 747.
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are
many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to
whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
The one who truly realizes the blessing of
goodness and lovingkindness he has received will
be the one who imparts the most love to the one
who bestowed that mercy and to others who need
mercy.

We must examine and question our own lives as
Mr. Keller advises
Do I leave a trail of sadness or of gladness
behind?
Is my memory, in other peoples minds, entwined
with mercy and goodness, or would they rather
forget me altogether?
Do I deposit a blessing behind me or am I a
bane to others?
Is my life a pleasure to people or a pain?

9
II. And I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever. .

David began this psalm with the proud
proclamation, The Lord is my Shepherd. He ends
with the equally thrilling statement, I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
And why wouldnt he remain?
He would be foolish to seek the shepherding of
another master.

Despite the walks through the valley of the
shadow of death, despite pasturing under the
menacing eyes of the enemy, despite having
endured the sting of the Shepherds rod
David has no desire to leave the house, the
flock, the fold of the Lord.
He wants to be a part of this family.
In view of this psalm, I am puzzled at the
thought of why anyone would ever want to leave
the fold of God.

It has to do with our outlook
Questions
How do the sheep perceive what goes on around
them?
Do they trust the Shepherds judgment or are
they wrapped up in their own desires?
Do the sheep find comfort in the rod and staff
or do they become angered by it?
We, as the sheep, are the only ones who can
determine our outlook on these things.
Let us boldly make this psalm our own anthem of
life in following Jesus.

12
Conclusion

Have we found ourselves in the barren, burned up,
disease and parasite infested grounds, without
the Good Shepherd?
The Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us
and is holding open the door into His fold so He
can make us
lie down in green pasture,
lead us beside quiet waters,
restore our soul,
guide us in paths of righteousness,
comfort us in the valleys,
prepare a table for us before our enemies,
anoint our head with oil
and follow us with goodness and mercy.