The Goodness Of God
As has become tradition, we’re taking a bit of the Summer to teach in The Psalms. The Psalms are an expertly and intentionally crafted collection of poems, songs, and hymns written by God’s people to reflect on the Story of God. If you haven’t already, we highly suggest you take a moment to watch the video overview our friends at Bible Project did for Psalms — it’s AMAZING!
For Week 5, we jumped into Psalm 23:
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even 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.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
The ESV Gospel Transformation Bible sums up Psalm 23 well: “Just as a shepherd provides food, water, and respite to his flocks, God fills the creaturely needs of his children (vv. 1–3; Matt. 6:25–34). As a shepherd leads his sheep down carefully chosen paths, God providentially guides his children (Ps. 23:3; John 16:13). As a shepherd guards his sheep from danger, God protects his children from “evil” and eternal “death” (Ps. 23:4; Luke 1:79).
However, God also does something that no ordinary shepherd can do: he shares a fellowship meal with his sheep (Ps. 23:5; Lev. 7:15–18; 1 Cor. 5:7–8). In the presence of enemies, these table guests are honored by anointing and overwhelmed by extravagance (Ps. 23:5; Eph. 2:7). They receive the “goodness and mercy” which form the core of God’s character (Ps. 23:6; Ex. 34:6–7). As the compassionate character of God is revealed in this precious psalm, we are prepared to see how the steadfast love of the final sacrificial Lamb enables wayward sheep to dwell with a holy God (Isa. 53:6). He was the scapegoat who carried away the sins of God’s people to provide goodness and mercy (Ps. 23:6; Ex. 34:6; Lev. 16:22).
But this Lamb who laid down his life is also the Good Shepherd (John 10:1–18). Recognizing his sheep’s voice, Christ meets our needs, leads us in the way, and protects us from disaster (John 10:5, 10). Listening to the Chief Shepherd’s voice, the believer’s soul is restored. And we will “dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Ps. 23:6; cf. 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 22:4).“
Give the sermon text a read and a listen as we close out the Book of Ruth and we hope to see you this week at a Family Meal and/or a DNA group to dive even deeper.