SMC
June 14, 2026
  • Praise
  • Trust In God
  • Introduction
    Sick Sheep Follows Anyone An American, traveling in Syria, saw three native shepherds bring their flocks to the same brook, and the flocks drank there together. At length one shepherd arose and called out, “Men-ah! men-ah!,” the Arabic for “follow me.” His sheep came out of the common herd and followed him up the hillside. The next shepherd did the same, and his sheep went away with him, and the man did not even stop to count them. The traveler said to the remaining shepherd, “Give me your turban and crook, and see if they will not follow me as well as you.” So he put on the shepherd’s dress and called out, “Men-ah! men-ah!” Not a sheep moved. They know not a voice of a stranger. “Will your flock never follow anybody but you?” inquired the gentleman. The Syrian shepherd replied, “Oh, yes; sometimes a sheep gets sick, and then he will follow any one.”
    CONNECTION
    Distractions in life.
    Threats
    Perceived threats
    Discomforts
    Frustrations
    Unmet wants & desires
    TAKE HOME
    Yahweh continually cares for His people, meeting every physical, emotional, and mental need.
    MESSAGE FOCUS
    What God offers that should overshadow all the distractions in life they rob our joy.
    Scripture Introduction
    My Shepherd: Yahweh
    Psalm 23:1 ESV
    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    Everything a shepherd entails.
    Everything Yahweh entails.
    My needs: Met
    Psalm 23:1 ESV
    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    Confident that He will provide us with everything we need.
    My location: Perfect
    Psalm 23:2 ESV
    He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
    Normalcy of life and when there is a change.
    My condition: restored
    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    I’m no longer who I once was.
    My walk: Righteous
    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    When we are led by the shepherd, every path is the right path.
    My state: Peace
    Psalm 23:4 ESV
    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.
    Because of Yahweh’s presence, protection, and direction, Evil will not prevail when we travel the dark, uncharted paths before us. For we have Yahweh’s protection and guidance.
    Psalm 23:5 ESV
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    The sheep imagery has served its purpose, and the metaphor is no more.

    Blessings Amidst Difficulties

    The sun blazes overhead as you sprint across the endless desert, the sand burning beneath your feet. Every breath sears your lungs, your heart pounding as you glance back at the distant figure gaining ground. Sweat stings your eyes as you push forward toward a lone tent. Grabbing hold of the rope supporting the tent, you double over, struggling to catch your breath. The occupant gently lifts you and leads you to a table laden with food and cool drinks. He keeps your pursuer at bay, then soothes your sun-scorched face and feet with oil. Exhausted and afraid, you finally find peace and restoration.
    Psalm 23:5 ESV
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    Ancient Near East custom of host being responsible for the guest.
    A bond of fellowship
    The table represents God’s provisions.
    Before me
    It is in front of me, because it is for me.
    Psalm 23:5 ESV
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    There are no other options, there are always enemies but they cannot prevent the provisions.
    The emphasis is not on the enemies, but he actions of the host. It is out numbered 3 to 1. They are not a major player, because God sustains us.
    2 Samuel 17:24 “Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.”
    2 Samuel 17:28–29 “brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.””
    Enemies all around, but God has provided a table.
    Parallels
    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    The enemy will come, even when we are on the right path. Probably more so.
    *APPLICATION
    Yahweh offers blessings even in the midst of life’s challenges, bringing comfort and hope during difficult times.
    Don’t leave the table God has prepared for you, because you think there might be something better elsewhere or the enemies all around.
    Judas went out from a literal table, with clean feet and feed, to pursue something better.
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    Enjoy Yahweh’s provisions.
    Focus on the good in your life and not the disappointments and hurts.
    Elect
    Sprinkled with His blood
    Grace & peace (multiplied)
    Born again to a living hope
    Salvation
    Joy that is inexpressible filled with glory
    Faith and hope
    Purified souls

    Renewal of Strength

    The occupant gently lifts you and leads you to a table laden with food and cool drinks. He keeps your pursuer at bay, then soothes your sun-scorched face and feet with oil.
    Psalm 23:5 ESV
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    Oil soothes the skin from the damage of the heat
    Shows honor to a guest
    Luke 7:46 “You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.”
    Hospitality of Yahweh our host
    Hebrews 1:9 ESV
    You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
    This should be a goal of both worship and fellowship in the church as the body of Christ. - Grant R. Osborn
    Parallels
    Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
    He is protected by a power greater than his enemies.
    *APPLICATION
    Just as oil soothes dry skin, Yahweh will heal and restore your soul from the scars left by this world.
    *REFLECTION
    Where does this truth apply?
    John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
    The shift in Psalm 23 is a reminder we are not just sheep, we are welcomed friends.

    Provisions for the Journey

    Coming to the Lord constantly for the same circumstance but different situation.
    Psalm 23:5 ESV
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    Parallels
    Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”
    The full provisions behind the needs.
    *APPLICATION
    We are not only supplied with all we need, but we are also given abundantly more than what is necessary.
    Never left in need.
    And, if your cup overflows, make sure it overflows into someone else’s cup. -Iain D. Campbell
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    Matthew 7:7–8 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
    1 Jn 5:14, this is the confidence we have
    Trouble Psalm 50:15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.””
    Wisdom James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
    Needs John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
    Summary
    Yahweh continually cares for His people, meeting every physical, emotional, and mental need.
    Blessings Amidst Difficulties
    prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies
    Renewal of Our Strength
    anoints my head with oil
    Provisions for the Journey
    my cup overflows
    What God offers can overshadow all the distractions in life that rob us of our joy.
    Reflection
    In what ways have you experienced God's care, strength, and provision—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—despite the distractions or challenges in your life?
    Think of this when you sing, “everything I need, my father has it”
    and, “I know the Lord will provide”
    Consider, What God offers that should overshadow all the distractions in life they rob our joy, when singing “seek first the kingdom and its treasures”

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:1GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:2GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:3GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:4GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • 2 Samuel 17:24ESV

      • 2 Samuel 17:28-29ESV

      • Psalm 23:3GODSWORD

      • 1 Peter 1GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Hebrews 1:9GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:3ESV

      • John 15:15GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:5GODSWORD

      • Psalm 23:2GODSWORD

      • Matthew 7:7–8GODSWORD

      • 1 John 5:14ESV

      • Psalm 50:15ESV

      • James 1:5ESV

      • John 16:24ESV

  • The Lord Will Provide
SMC
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