Before a shepherd can be fully considered - it is painfully obvious that someone is represented by the sheep.

A. Sheep have a great tendency to stray (Isa. 53:6; Ps. 119:176).

B. As a result of wondering, they become very vulnerable (Jer. 50:17) - Daniel (Lion & Bear) (1 Sam. 17:34).

The Lion represents the Devil, and the Bear represents the enemies Greece and Russia.

C. Sheep require high maintenance - David a shepherd, needed a better one.

 

Why would you want the LORD to be your shepherd?

A. He knows his sheep (Jn. 10:14). How many important people that are in your life do not know you? - High School Principal, Elected Officials, Military Officers, etc.

B. He leads his sheep (Ps. 77:20; 78:52; 79:13; 80:1).

C. He leads his sheep to good pasture (vs. 2).

D. Defends them when attacked by wild beast (1 Sam. 17:34-36).

E. Searching them out when straying (Lk. 15:4-6).

F. Attending them when they are sick (Eze. 34:11-16).

G. Warns them of a false shepherd (Zech. 11:16-17).

Intro:

How many Americans can truly say "I shall not want"? We live in a land of want. Millions are in tremendous financial trouble, not because of needs, but because of wants.

 

I. Is it wrong to want?

How about a meal, reliable transportation, a job that can pay the bills, a good marriage, good children, good education, etc.

A. When the wants follow the right priority list.

[1]. Spiritual (Matt. 6:33)
[2]. Emotional (Mk. 12:30)
[3]. Physical (Phil. 4:19; 1 Tim. 6:6-12)

B. When my wants are accompanied by an acknowledgment that God is supplying them all (Phil. 4:11). The strictest interpretation of this verse would suggest that all discontentment is ultimately a criticism of God.

C. When there is a spirit of contentment in the pasture that he has led you to - it is difficult for us to believe that pastures of adversity could be from God, not realizing the advantages of adversity.