¹The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. ²He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³He restores my Soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake, ⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rid and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶Surly goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Question: Why would a sheep in the Good Shepherd's care ever say "He restores my Soul"?

Fact: You can be in the Good Shepherd's care and still become depressed. Why??

David, the writer of Ps.23, who was much loved by God, knew what it was to be cast down and dejected. He tasted defeat and felt the discouragement of falling into temptation. He knew bitterness and the feeling of hopelessness.

KEY: Psalm 42:5 "why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

1. "Cast" is an old English word used to describe a sheep that has flipped upside down.


2. It is not only the shepherd who keeps a sharp eye for cast sheep, but also predators.


3. It is often the heavy fat sheep that are most easily cast.


4. A Good Shepherd is eager and ready to quickly run and save a cast sheep.
   
   "He restores my soul!"


5. What is the real cause for sheep to become "cast"?
   
   
   
   1. Sheep sometimes become choose the comfortable.
   
   
   2. Some Sheep are cast because their wool is too long and heavy.
   
   
   3. The third chief cause of cast sheep is simply that they are too fat.
   
   
   
   

How to avoid becoming "cast"?

1. Live a life that demands you to live by faith trusting in God.


2. Live life as if you are on this earth for only a short time & eternal life is your real life.


3. Expect God to use you more than ever before! "Arrived" attitude will depress you!


4. Find a way to be physically healthy.

Please click here to hear a message right now.

Preacher: Rob Flaherty | Permanent Link