Title: God Heals Our Hearts
Bible Book: Psalms 23 : 6
Author: Kenneth Hendricks
Subject: Provision of God; Promise from God
Objective:
Introduction
Let's think about broken hearts. There is no medicine, no surgery, and no exercise that can mend a broken heart. Only God can heal a broken heart. Broken hearts are a part of life and they are mostly caused by love. I believe that through them we hear an important part of God's message. As Christians we see the value of suffering and being a partner with Christ. But, oh how encouraging it is to know The Lord is my Shepherd. When all else may seem to fail around us the Shepherd comforts us with these words; you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The words of the song say,
"Trouble starts as fun, broken hearts will always mend
Tough times don't last...tough people do...nothing breaks if it can bend.
Find the Lord before you need Him...don't ever sell your saddle cause life's a long, long ride."
If you're going to make it through, then the Lord must be your Shepherd.
I. The Shepherd's Promise, vs. 6.
A. The Promise of Goodness, vs. 6.
Surely goodness... vs. 6.
These two words speak volumes. "Surely..." If we define the word, Webster's dictionary says, "In a sure, unhesitating manner; without a doubt; unquestionable; certainly."
When God says "surely" He wants us to know that to believe anything less is sin. What God says here is, "I want you to have the greatest amount of confidence available."
When the Lord is your Shepherd you can undoubtedly expect something to be in pursuit of you. What is it? "Goodness." This is God's best.
Notice Psalm 31:19.
"The Lord is my Shepherd." A shepherd never intends anything but the best for his sheep. How can you expect less from God? While God has given us the good things of this life, we mustn't forget that to those to whom the Lord is their Shepherd He has also given eternal life! We not only see the promise of goodness we also see the promise of gentleness.
B. The Promise of Gentleness, vs. 6.
...and mercy... vs. 6.
God speaks an unfathomable truth here! When the Lord is your Shepherd, He'll not give you what you deserve; that being death and hell! Listen! He spared us even though He did not spare His own Son! I want a promise like that to follow me!
When we see the words "shall follow me" it means these things are in pursuit of me. I'm not in pursuit of them, they are in pursuit of me.
Notice Titus 3:5. We have a divine hope and divine help because we have a divine promise the Lord is my Shepherd.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" vs. 6.
Not only do we see the Shepherd's promise we also see the Shepherd's provision.
II.The Shepherd's Provision, vs. 6.
A. Dwelling Place, vs. 6.
...and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever, vs. 6.
David never got the precious words I now share with you, but I believe from his Bible, the Pentateuch, he saw them.
- John 14:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd."
- John 14:2a, "He restoreth my soul." He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name sake.
- John 14:2b, "Thou preparest a table before me."
- John 14:3, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
I don't know about you, but I see a dwelling place! God already has a place prepared for those whose Shepherd is the Lord! Not only do we see a dwelling place we also see a duration promise.
B. A Duration Promise, vs. 6.
...forever... vs. 6.
Just for fun I looked up the word forever. It means "a length of time." Talk about eternal security! David said, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I will live forever in His house". What a beautiful promise!
God heals our hearts with His promises. His kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life. That's now! You will live forever in My house. That's the future! How is it with you? Is the Lord your Shepherd?
