I. Rest. "He maketh me to lie down."
A. Why does the Shepherd make the sheep rest?
1. Because the shepherd can see much farther than the sheep.
2. He can see the obstacles ahead that will require additional strength. ie Mountains and valleys
3. God knows the end from the beginning.
4. He knows exactly what we need and He knows exactly when we need it.
5. Testimonies of God's timing.
B. He does not force, but uses gentle persuasion. (Touches the thigh of place of strength.)
C. Sheep will not lie down:
1. When there is fear from without...wolves and wild beasts.
2. Problems within the fold. (one can cause the rest to be unruly)
3. They are hungry, they must be satisfied.
II. Refreshment. "He leadeth me beside still water."
A. The sheep follow because they know the shepherd's voice.
1. God directs through His Word.
2. We must know His Word if we are to allow Him to direct us.
B. The still water speaks of refreshment.
1. Not a raging river.
2. And not a stagnant pool.
3. "Still waters run deep"
III. Restoration: "He restoreth my soul."
A. Restoreth.
1. Hebrew means to renew or bring back to a place once enjoyed.
2. There is the doctrine of restoration taught throughout the Bible.
3. All of us need restoration from time to time.
B. What is it He restores?
1. He restores my soul.
2. Not a soul, not the soul, not some soul, but my soul?
3. My soul is the real me!
C. As sheep, we also are prone to wander.
1. He restores us to our position in the flock.
2. He restores us to the protection of the fold.
3. He restores us to the place of fellowship.
4. Example of the prodigal son.
D. God restores by:
1 Warning.
2. Exhortation.
3. Trouble.
4. Chastening.
Note: Peter was restored by a look. David was restored by judgment. Abraham was restored by trouble.
IV. Redirection: "He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
A. Following our rest, refreshment, and restoration comes His redirection.
1. Where does He leads us? Paths of righteousness.
2. Why does He leads us? For his name sake.
B. 'Paths' indicates progression.
1. The Christian life is compared to a walk, a run, and a battle.
2. For each of these pictures we must see that there is to be progression made.
3. God's desire is to lead us into the paths that we are to take.
PSALM 25:10, "ALL THE PATHS OF THE LORD ARE MERCY AND TRUTH UNTO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT AND HIS TESTIMONIES."
4. Short cuts often prove the longest way around.
EXODUS 13:17, " AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN PHARAOH HAD LET THE PEOPLE GO, THAT GOD LED THEM NOT THROUGH THE WAY OF THE LAND OF THE PHILISTINES, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS NEAR; FOR GOD SAID, LEST PERADVENTURE THE PEOPLE REPENT WHEN THEY SEE WAR, AND THEY RETURN TO EGYPT:"
C. "For his name's sake"
1. God has connected His name and glory with the walk and conduct of His people.
2. It is a calamity, a shame for a shepherd to lose a sheep.
3. The Shepherd's reputation is at stake.
4. God has given us His Word...His promises!
5. He will continue to lead us in path's of righteousness because we bear His name.
Rest, Refreshment, Restoration, and Redirection.
Next week we will look some more of this great Psalm.