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Psalm 23 - Benjamin
Sermon Summary
Ben encourages us to choose the life of abundance and protection offered by Jesus, our Good Shepherd, by resisting the enemies of the flesh, the world, and spiritual evil that seek to steal us away from Psalm 23's life of no lack.
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Psalm 23 paints a picture of the life we were created to enjoy—a life of abundance, peace, and security under the care of the Good Shepherd, Jesus. This is not just a poetic ideal, but a real and available way of living, one that Jesus himself came to offer. Yet, this life is not forced upon us; it is a daily choice. From the very beginning, God has given humanity the freedom to choose between life and death, blessing and curse. Jesus continues this invitation, declaring himself as the way, the truth, and the life, and inviting us to follow him into the pasture where we truly lack nothing.
But the pasture of the Good Shepherd is bordered by a fence, and on the other side lurk enemies intent on luring us away. These enemies—the flesh, the world, and the devil—are not always obvious, and their tactics are subtle. The desires of our flesh can be good, but when they become disordered or take the place of God as our provider, they lead us into a life of perpetual lack and dissatisfaction. The world, with its unpredictable hardships and injustices, can shake our trust in the Shepherd’s goodness, tempting us to doubt or despair. And the devil, the master of lies, works tirelessly to convince us that the grass is greener elsewhere, using half-truths and deceptions to draw us away from the Shepherd’s care.
Yet, none of these enemies have ultimate power over us. The Good Shepherd has already won the decisive victory. Our role is to recognise the tactics of these enemies, to resist their pull, and to turn—again and again—toward Jesus intentionally. This means surrendering our need for control, bringing our doubts and anxieties to him, and standing firm in faith, supported by the community of fellow believers who face the same struggles. The invitation remains: choose life, choose the pasture of the Good Shepherd, and experience the fullness of a life without lack.
Key Takeaways
1. The Psalm 23 life is a daily choice, not an automatic inheritance. God respects our freedom and invites us to choose his pasture, where true abundance is found. Each day presents the opportunity to reaffirm our trust in the Good Shepherd, resisting the temptation to wander into pastures that promise much but deliver little.
2. The desires of the flesh are not inherently evil, but when they become disordered or replace God as our provider, they lead us into a cycle of striving and lack. Even noble desires, like providing for our families, can become traps if they cause us to rely on ourselves rather than on God’s sufficiency. True provision and contentment are found in surrendering these desires to the Shepherd.
3. The world’s unpredictability and suffering can shake our faith, tempting us to doubt God’s goodness or even his existence. In these moments, the invitation is to bring our questions and anxieties directly to Jesus, trusting that he cares for us and is present even in the darkest valleys. Honest lament and dependence on God are acts of faith, not signs of weakness.
4. The devil’s primary tactic is deception—using lies and half-truths to convince us that life apart from the Shepherd is more satisfying. He cannot force us out of God’s care, but he works to entice us away, often by exploiting our desires or our pain. Recognising his strategies and clinging to the truth of God’s character is essential for spiritual resilience.
5. Resistance to these enemies is not a solitary endeavour. Drawing near to Jesus through spiritual practices, even when it’s difficult, and leaning on the support of the faith community are vital. The shared struggles of believers and the example of Jesus himself remind us that we are not alone, and that victory is already secured in Christ.
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