PHILLIP KELLER“David’s Hymn of Praise to Divine Diligence”

“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because

they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

MATTHEW 9:6

PSALM 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

PSALM 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

I am theGood Shepherd.

JOHN 10:11a

REALITIES ABOUT OUR SHEPHERD...- HE is the One who MADE us as the object of His divine affection

- HE is the One who BOUGHT us through His death on the cross

- He is our rightful OWNER/SHEPHERD, but He doesn’t force Himself on us…

QUESTIONS ABOUT JESUS...- Do I really belong to Him?- Do I really recognize His right to my life?- Do I respond to His authority?- Do I acknowledge His ownership?- Do I find freedom & fulfillment in this?- Do I sense purpose & contentment in this?- Do I know rest & adventure in this?

PSALM 23:2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

HOW HE CARES FOR HIS SHEEP- He frees them from FEAR

- He frees them from DISCORD

- He frees them from PESTS

- He frees them from HUNGER

- He leads them to water for STRENGTH & SATISFACTION

PSALM 23:2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

JOHN 10:11

PSALM 23:3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

HOW HE CARES FOR HIS SHEEP- He picks them up when they fall

- He searches for them when they are lost

- He cuts off the entanglements

- He provides fresh pastures to feed on

- He offers lasting, covenant relationship only He is truly capable of maintaining

PSALM 23:3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

JOHN 10:9

PSALM 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

THE ROD & THE STAFF- The rod PROTECTS the sheep

- The rod DISCIPLINES the sheep

- The staff COMFORTS the sheep

- The staff GUIDES the sheep

PSALM 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

The thief comes only

to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

JOHN 10:10

PSALM 23:5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

THE TABLE & THE OIL- The shepherd PREPARES the table

- The shepherd WATCHES for predators

- The shepherd PROVIDES water for the sheep

- The oil PROTECTS the sheep

- The oil COMFORTS the sheep

PSALM 23:5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

JOHN 14:26

PSALM 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

PSALM 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus, the Messiah, laid down His life for us.

1 JOHN 3:16

REV 7:17For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.