Resources: Lesson Manuscript, PowerPoint, and Devotional
Franklin Heights Church Connect Groups: https://franklinheights.org/connect/groups/
Review: Last week we looked at how there’s such a relief and a joy when we ask for and receive God’s forgiveness, and when we do, we are able to instruct others in the ways of God and how they, too, can experience God’s forgiveness.
Title: God’s Care
Text: Psalm 23:1-6
Key Verse: Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Theme: God is our good Shepherd who leads us daily.
Introduction: Have you ever seen in your life the statement of the Roman philosopher Apuleius play out? The statement is “Familiarity breeds contempt,” meaning we can take things for granted at times. Psalm 23 is a familiar passage with rich truth. Let’s not allow familiarity to cause us to miss the gems herein.
Main Points:
- God’s provision (vv.1-3)
The Lord [Yahweh, the covenant keeping name for God] is my shepherd [This imagery of God as shepherd is used elsewhere:
- God is the Shepherd we can call out to in times of despair or chastening.
Psalm 74:1, “O God, why do you cast us off forever?
Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?”
- God is the majestic Shepherd who’s faithful leading is cited here, guiding His people where they need to go.
Psalm 80:1, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.”
- God is a gentle and caring shepherd, tenderly watching over and caring for the needs of His sheep.
Isaiah 40:11, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.”]
I shall not want. [God meets every real need in our lives.]
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. [In the winter and spring months, satisfaction could be found in one place, and the green pastures were seasonal.]
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. [CSB, “he renews my life…”; ESV uses the word, “refreshes,” meaning God is the One who renews, revives, and breaths fresh life into us with His life.]
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake. [God is tenderly caring for His own, and this ultimately reflects on His character, as He is the One and only One worthy of glory and praise. Isaiah 48:11, “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,
for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another.”]
2. God’s protection (v. 4)
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [This intense darkness speaks of danger and evil from an enemy. From these, Shepherds protected their flocks, things like bandits and wild animals. Aren’t you glad that our Good Shepherd watches over us and protects us from the same and the like.]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; [Here is where a crucial transition takes place in the Psalm. The writer goes from talking about God to having a conversation with God, praying, talking to God. There is no need to have fear because of God’s presence.]
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
3. God’s care (vv. 5-6)
5 You prepare a table before me [Lifeway says that God provides good even when His enemies seek evil. Derek Kidner takes a different approach to this, which I lean toward. To sit down in the midst of one’s enemies at the table is more so highlighting God’s omnipotence and power over one’s enemies, defeating them, and bringing them by His grace into fellowship with us so that we sit down at the table with them. Those who once were our enemies are made our fellow sheep guided by the Good Shepherd. That’s how good God is and how omnipotent He is over the enemy and over darkness.
Gospel: This ultimately points to the cross of Christ and His resurrection. We were once enemies, lost in our broken sinfulness, but given the opportunity to repent and believe the gospel. Now able to pursue and recover His good design over our loves, that we may sit at His table and at the table of the family of God, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
in the presence of my enemies;]
you anoint my head with oil; [In the Jewish societal context, oil signified rejoicing, and oil also symbolizes the Holy Spirit without Whom there is no true joy. It’s a fruit of the Spirit in fact. Oil was a key commodity in welcoming guests into one’s abode. The Holy Spirit is the honored guest Who at the moment of salvation, is welcomed into the believer’s abode! Psalm 45:7, “ you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;” Luke 7:46, “You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.”]
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
forever. [This is the great confidence we have as believers, the same great hope-filled confidence David had, that he would dwell in God’s presence now and forever in Heaven above. What cause for rejoicing.]
Doctrine: Our key doctrine for this week is God the Father.
Lifeway says, “God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.”
Matthew 7:11, “11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Discussion Questions:
- How do you need God to move in your life currently, and what holds you back from asking that of Him?
- What difference should God’s provision, presence, protection, and guidance make in our approach to life?
- How can you exercise living in faith over fear?
Big Takeaway(s):
- Believers can rest in the fact that God knows and provides for our needs—both physical and spiritual.
- Believers are to choose faith over fear.
- Because God cares for His people, we can rely on His goodness and love.
Caleb Walker 
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