Word of Salvation – January 2026
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Sermon by John Haverland
Text: Psalm 23
Readings: John 10:1-18
Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 1
Theme: The Lord my shepherd provides for all my needs, comforts and blesses me throughout my life.
Purpose: To draw out the comfort and consolation of this psalm for believers.
This psalm is well known, much loved, often sung, and frequently memorised. You’ll find it on the walls of people’s homes and you’ll hear it read at weddings and at funerals.
Here is a psalm for all places and occasions; a psalm that has brought comfort and consolation to God’s people in a great variety of circumstances: to Christians who are sick, lonely or despairing; to believers in hospital, in prison or suffering persecution.
It is the most familiar psalm of the 150 in the Psalter. Sometimes familiarity can breed contempt. Sometimes we read it or hear it and we pass over it without thinking about it. I trust this is not the case for you, but rather that you love this wonderful psalm and appreciate it!
It is a psalm about the Lord as our Shepherd. It came out of David’s own experience as a shepherd looking after his sheep. He used that as the basis for this picture of the Lord looking after his people. Throughout the Old Testament the Lord is often described as the Shepherd of his people.
And in the New Testament, especially in John 10, which we read, Jesus described himself as that Good Shepherd who knows his sheep, and calls them by name, and they follow him.
If you know God the Father through the Lord Jesus, then you too can use the words of this psalm.
This is the personal confession of every Christian – The Lord is my shepherd – I know him and he knows me; he provides for me, comforts me, and blesses me.
As we look at this psalm we will see that the Lord
- Provides for all our needs, v 1-3
- Comforts us in all our troubles, v 4
- Blesses us all our days, v 5-6
- HE PROVIDES FOR ALL OUR NEEDS, v 1-3
a) The first statement David made about the care of the Lord is, “I shall not want”
The job of the shepherd was to look after his sheep. He was to give them fresh grass and water and take care of their needs. God provided for all David’s needs when he fled from Saul and lived in the desert.
The Lord had also provided for the people of Israel as they wandered through the desert. Moses had reminded them; “These 40 years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” (Deut 2:7)
The Apostle Paul assured us that God will still do this: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)
b) David went on: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
“Green pastures” are a picture of food and nourishment and plenty. New Zealand is world famous for its green pastures that feed about 23 million of sheep.
But David wasn’t just referring to physical grass. He used this as a picture of the refreshment we can get from the Scriptures. The Word of God is food for our souls; it refreshes us.
The problem is that often we are so busy running around, doing this, that and the next thing that we don’t take the time to refresh ourselves in God’s word and in prayer.
Someone has observed that we often treat the Bible like a spiritual medicine cabinet. We only go to it when we feel a bit low or in need of some extra treatment. Instead we should be feeding regularly from the Word of God and building ourselves up through that.
Are you reading the Bible for yourself in personal devotions?
Are you reading it as a family?
Are you attending a Bible study?
Are you coming to both services on the Lord’s Day?
c) David then wrote; “He leads me beside still waters.” (v 2b)
In that hot eastern climate the shepherd had to find water for his sheep. He had to find a river or an oasis so they could drink.
Just as sheep need water so we need the life-giving nourishment that Jesus offers us. Often we feel dry and parched in our souls. Sometimes we feel weak, tired and discouraged.
The Lord invites you to drink of the living water he supplies: “Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” (Isaiah 55:1). Jesus said; “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again.” (John 4:14)
d) If you take up the invitation of the Lord Jesus then he will restore your soul. David knew this. He wrote, “He restores my soul.” (v 3a)
You have probably had times when the Word of God has spoken very directly to you. It gave you just what you needed at that time. At times like that we are reminded of this truth – that the Lord really does restore our souls!
This was David’s experience and it has been the experience of God’s people through the ages.
The Lord strengthens you when you are weak; he forgives you when you are guilty; he lifts you up when you are discouraged; he restores you when you are weary.
e) David wrote, “He leads me in paths of righteousness.” (v 3b)
He leads us in the way he wants us to walk – that is, in his paths. The path of righteousness is the right path, the path of obedience. The Apostle John tells us that “whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (I John 2:6).
Is God guiding you in the path of righteousness? Are you following the Lord Jesus and walking in his footsteps? Are you being obedient to the Lord?
God leads us in paths of righteousness “for his name’s sake”. The prophet Ezekiel reminded the people of Israel that their sin and evil had damaged the name of the Lord among the nations.
Remember that as a Christian you bear the name of Christ and you need to do all you can to bring honour to his name. You need to walk in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. As you do this be assured that God guides you in these paths, and in all your ways.
We have seen that God provides for all our needs.
- Secondly, HE COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES. (v 4)
a) There are times when we go “through the valley of the shadow of death.” Life isn’t only about lying down in green pastures and walking beside quiet streams.
There are also times of accident, trial, sickness, difficulty and of death. Sometimes we go through a time of indecision, or loneliness, or despair, or guilt. Yet, even in those times, David knew that the Lord was with him.
He wrote, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Here is the great assurance of the believer: no matter where you are and what you are going through, God is there with you. He not only leads and guides you, as shepherds did in those days, but he is also with you, beside you, alongside you. “You are with me”. God has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).
Do you believe this? Will you trust in the Lord and hold on to Him, even when you go through the valley of the shadow of death?
b) Not only is God with us, he is also comforting us: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (v 4b)
A rod was a cudgel, a short thick stick, worn at the belt and used as a weapon, like a police baton. It was used to protect the sheep from danger. In the same way the Lord is watching over us, protecting us, keeping us in his care.
A rod was also used to count the sheep (Lev 27:32). The shepherd would count his sheep as they passed under his rod. He would make sure that none were missing.
And if one was missing he would go off and search for it, as Jesus described in the parable of the good shepherd. Jesus is watching over you too, making sure you are still with him, ensuring that you are still part of the flock.
A staff refers to the stick the shepherd used to round up the flock and control his sheep. We know that the Lord God is all powerful and he is watching over us and keeping us in his care. He directs us and guides us. Sometimes he disciplines us. He guides and directs us by his word and by what happens in our lives. Everything he does is for our good, even if we can’t see it at the time.
David could say; “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” He knew, as we know, that God comforts us in all the situations we face.
The word comfort has changed its meaning.
Now it means being comfortable, feeling relaxed. But the original Latin was confortare which meant, with strength.
This is the central theme of the Heidelberg Catechism, which begins by asking, “What is our only comfort in life and in death?” The answer is, “That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Q & A 1)
God comforts me with his power and strength. He is with me and he is with you.
That is the assurance of Psalm 46, which begins; “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
That is true even in the greatest trial we face, which is death itself. When you go through the gates of death all other companions and guides will leave you – they will remain behind and you will have to go on alone, without human companionship.
But a Christian is not alone – You can say to the Lord – “You are with me!” God’s presence goes with you, even through death. You need to be sure that you have put your trust in the Lord. Death may be just around the corner.
We flourish “like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” (Ps 103:15). You can be here one moment and gone the next.
Are you ready for death? Do you believe in the Lord Jesus? Do you trust in him for the forgiveness of your sins? Are you following him in your life?
- God provides for all our needs.
- He comforts us in all our troubles.
- Finally, HE BLESSES US ALL OUR DAYS
a) David knew the blessing of victory
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” In the Old Testament eating a meal with people was a sign of fellowship with them, of being close with them. Think of that last Passover meal Jesus had with his disciples.
This psalm gives us a picture of fellowship with God at a great feast he will provide for us. The Lord prepares this meal for us “in the presence of our enemies.” This anticipates a great victory over those who oppose and oppress us as believers. This is a picture of a victory celebration with the Lord.
b) David also knew the blessing of thankfulness.
He appreciated all the Lord’s blessings to him. “You anoint my head with oil”. Oil was very important in a hot and dry climate – it soothed the skin so that people felt refreshed.
David was thankful for what God had done for him. So much so he said, “my cup overflows”. This is a sign of abundance, or having more than enough.
As Christians we are not only content with what God has given to us, we are filled to overflowing with thankfulness. Not only do we not feel “in want” (vs 1) but we are brimming over with gratitude because of all God has done for us in and through Jesus.
Are you like this?
Are you counting the blessings God has given to you?
Do you have your eyes open to all the Lord has done for you and given to you?
Do you have a heart filled with gratitude for the Lord’s mercy and grace?
c) Finally, David knew the blessing of God’s goodness and mercy.
The word used for mercy is sometimes translated as lovingkindness – it is a very rich word. David was confident God’s goodness and mercy would “follow” him all the days of his life. Spurgeon comments that goodness and love are like two guardian angels who are always following right behind us, right at our back.
They follow us “all the days” of our life – through bright days and black days, through days of joy and days of sorrow, through exciting days and days of the same old routine.
They will continue to follow us until we one day go through that deep valley of the shadow of death and go home to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
And it isn’t just the Lord’s goodness and mercy that follow us – it is the Lord himself who goes with us – the Lord Jesus who is our Good Shepherd.
There is a story about a professor of English who once delivered a lecture in his home town. His subject was “The literary excellence of the 23rd psalm.” He gave the address to a meeting of the Literary Society of the church he had grown up in. After the address he asked the chairman of the meeting to read the psalm. The chairman was an old Scots minister who had been the professor’s pastor. The old pastor read the psalm, as he had often read it to members of his congregation in their trials and sorrows.
After his heartfelt reading of the psalm there was a hushed stillness. Then the lecturer rose quietly and said: “I may know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.”
Do you know Jesus as the Good Shepherd? Are you thankful for his provision, guidance and comfort? Do you know his goodness and mercy? In both the joys and the sorrows of life can you say; “The Lord is my Shepherd?”
Amen