The Plowman

Introduction:
Spurgeon called it “the pearl of the Psalms.”  Alexander Maclaren said, “The world could spare many a large book better than this sunny little psalm.  It has dried many tears and supplied the mould into which many hearts have poured their peaceful faith.”  It is, without doubt, the most beloved of the 150 psalms and the most recognized.  Millions have memorized this psalm and untold numbers have been comforted at the time of death and bereavement by these simple words.

This is one of those passages that I have difficulty preaching. The difficulty being – I don’t want to take away from the text by what I say. The beauty and simplicity of the passage speaks for itself. We’ve heard it, we’ve sung it, and we’ve memorized it – what can be added?

Here we find the words of the great shepherd king speaking of God’s shepherding of his people.  As we explore the passage this morning I simply want to remind you of a few things.

Text: Psalm 23:1-6

Psalm 23 reminds us that:

Thesis: Believers commit themselves to the comforting, shepherding heart of God.

In many respects this is the Old Testament equivalent of the call of Jesus, “come unto me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  This is a call to be quieted and comforted by God.  But the psalmist goes beyond just calling us to rest by providing the rationale for why we find our rest in God.

There are three things I want us to note from David’s psalm.

1. Believers are able to rest in God’s abundant and gracious provision of every need.
2. Believers are able to rest in God’s gracious leadership and guidance.
3. Believers are able to rest in God’s abiding presence.

Every child of God is to rest in the comforting, shepherding heart of God.

• A God who supplies your every need.
• A God who promises to direct your path.
• A God who promises his abiding presence.