Sheep's cry and shepherds help

SHEEP' S CRY AND SHEPHERD HELP

 TEXT: Psalms 22:1-31; 23:1-6; 24:1-10

These Psalms were written by David,  the sweet Psalmist of Israel The  primary 

application was to him but  the Psalms are also applicable to the  Lord, Jesus Christ. It 

portrays David's  trying moment, prayer for  deliverance, trust in God for provision and 

preservation in difficult times and acknowledgment of the  sovereignty of God. Psalm 

twenty-two, presents Jesus as the Saviour, Sin Bearer, Substitute and Mediator  between 

God and man. He paid the great price for our sins. The Scripture says: "For dogs have 

compassed me:  the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands 

and my feet" (Psalm 22:16).Psalm  twenty-three is a well-known  Scripture to average 

readers of the  Bible. It demonstrates Christ as the  Shepherd of believers who are the  

sheep in His fold. He therefore makes adequate provisions both spiritually  and 

physically for every sheep (verse 2). Psalm twenty four verses three and four reveals the 

Lord as the King of the whole universe, who has power to sanctify every believer who 

desire to live with Him in Heaven. Studying these Psalms enables us to experience the

Lord as our Strength, Shepherd and master

LEARN THREE THINGS FROM GOD

PLEA FOR HELP TO THE SUCCOURER (Psalm 22:1-3l; Matthew 27:41-46; Mark 15:31-34; 2 

Timothy 4:14-18)

His cry in the opening verse of Psalm 22, My God, my God, why hast thou forsake me? 

why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? was borne out 

of intense suftering and feelings of abandonment durng adversity. David's prayer proves 

the indispensability of personal, Iiving relationship with God. This cry is also a proof

that he was no stranger but a sheep in God's fold. He further reveals, thou art my God 

from my mother's belly, showing he had embraced Him from his childhood. The 

Scripture account shows that David loved, obeyed and trusted God. Youths must decide to

 be in good relationship with God. This will enable them to approach Him in times of

needs and difficulties with courage and trust.

Some parts of Psalm 22 was applicable to David, while other parts of the Psalm are 

applicable to us. One, as he cried to God for divine help, we can do the same (Psalm 

22:1,11) Two, as David trusted in God like the Patriarch of old, we should trust God for 

every need (Psalm 22:4,5). Three, David described the wicked men who were after his life 

as bulls, dogs, lions (Psalm 22:12,16,20,21), yet the Lord was near him (Psalm 22:19,20). 

Four, he declared God's name, praised Him among His people and called on those who 

feared Him to do the same (Psalm 22:22,23,25).

The writer of this Psalm (David) had the revelation of Jesus the Saviour agonising on the 

cross. This, he did in order to obtain pardon for the sins of man. King David was not 

referring to himself in this place but had revelation of the suffering of Christ on behalf of

 sinners. This single act gives is to the pardon of sinners, today (Psalm 22:1).

The Psalm applied to Jesus Christ in many ways. One, He cried to the Father while on the 

Cross (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46). Two, His confidence in God was scorned by wicked

men (Psalm 22:7,8; Mark 15:31,32; Luke 23:35; Matthew 27:39-43) Three, His crucifixion 

and the casting of lot (Psalm 22:16-18; Matthew 27:33-35). Four, His declaration of the

Father to the brethren (the Church) (Psalm 22:22: Hebrews 212). Pive, His thirst while on 

the Cross (Psalm 22:15; John19:28) Jesus Christ, the only and holy Son of God did not die 

for His sin but for the sins of the whole world (Isaiah 53:5,6). The Scripture says: "For he 

hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the 

righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). We should have died for Our iniquities 

but He took our place so that we can be pardoned, and have the right relationship with 

God.

Finally, when Christ paid for the sins of men, the goodness and power of God will turn 

men to Him in repentance and worship. "All the ends of the world shall remember and 

turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee 

(Psalm 22:27) Youths should know that God is the King of the whole earth.

"For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations" (Psalm 22:28)

PROVISIONS THROUGH THE SHEPHERD (Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:11; Ezekiel 34:14-16; 

Psalm 46:1-11; 91:1-16; 2 Timothy 4:17,18; Numbers 10:32)

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is a 

caring One, who guides, secures, protects, feeds, leads, restores, comforts and preserves 

our lives from all harm. The Scripture also refers to Him as the Good Shepherd, Great 

Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd (John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4). He is the 

Shepherd and Bishop ot our souls. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now 

returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (1 Peter 2:25). Another interesting 

feature of Psalm twenty-three is the seven wonderful names of Jehovah . These are: (1) 

Jehovah-raah (The Lord our Shepherd)-"The LORD is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). (2) 

Jehovah-jireh (The Lord our Provider)- "I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). (3) Jehovah-shalom 

(The Lord our peace)-"he leadeth me beside the still waters" (Psalm 23:2). (4) Jehovah-

rapha (The Lord our Healer)-He restoreth my soul" (Psalm 23:1). (5) Jehovah (The Lord 

our he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness) righteousness for his name's sake" 

(Psalm 23:3). (6) Jehovah-shammah (The Lord is ever present)-I wil fear no evil: for thou 

art with me" (7) Jehovah-nissi (The Lord our Banner) Thou preparest a table before me in 

the presence of mine enemies (Psalm 23:5). When we accept and believe this truth about 

Jesus Christ, we become His sheep and will lack nothing.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" 

(Philippians 4:19). The privileges of accepting Jesus Christ as the Shepherd are 

innumerable. However, some of the blessings are: (a) Spiritual blessings- This include 

salvation, sanctification, Spirit power, etc. (Ephesians 1:3). (b) Spiritual Gifts- provisions 

of diverse spiritual enablement for operations, admonitions and diversities for service 

for Him. "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of 

Christ" (Ephesians 4:7). (c) Supernatural healing and health- This is the children's bread. 

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy 

soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2). (d) Success in our businesses including academics. "I can do 

all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). (e) Everything

we need in life and eternity (Romans 8:32). Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 

shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they 

comfort me (Psalm 23:4). Life is short and brief. It is uncertain and full of risk. This is the

 reason people take Life Assurance Policy. As good as this may be, does not prevent death.

 However, Christ Jesus, the Shepherd, will be with you, to comfort and deliver passing 

through the shadow of death. He has power to conquer death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my 

head with oil; my cup runneth over" (Psalm 23:5). The enemies, including satan cannot 

hinder our God-given blessings. The Lord prepares, provides and protects His people for

 His glory, This can be seen in the life of Joseph, David, Daniel and his friends, Paul, John, 

etc. We are His people today and the promise is: "And the Lord shall deliver me from 

every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for 

ever and ever. Amen" (2 Timothy 4:18). Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

 days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever (Psalm 23:6). After all 

the blessings here on earth, the Lord promises to guide and protect us till He brings us 

into His heavenly home to live with Him forever

Jesus is the shepherd of our lives

"And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied 

with my goodness, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:14). The goodness of God is great and 

wide. Some of them are torgiveness, deliverance, answers to prayers, provisions, 

satistaction, prosperity, etc. (Romans 2:4; Exodus 18:9; Psalm 142:2; 2 Samuel 7:27,28; 

Nehemiah 9:35). These constituents of goodness can be ours through prayer of taith and 

the tear ot thee Lord (Psalms 25:7; 27:12;31:19). As we receive His goodness through 

mercies, we should reciprocate by honouring the Lord in our lives.

PERSONS QUALIFIED FOR THE HOLY CITY (Psalms 24:1-10; 50:12; 15:1-5, 1saiah 6:l-6; 

Hebrews 13:20,2 Ephesians 5:25-27;1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 1:5; Psalmm 2:10-12).

The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" 

(Psalm 24:1). God created the whole world with his power and wisdom and He the owner 

of everything. Therefore, all the resources belong to Him and He expects us to have the 

management of them for His glory. "The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but 

the earth hath he given to the children of men" (Psalm 115:16).

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? (Psalm

 24:3). David asked an important question here. He received answers from the Lord, the

 greater King than him. "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King 

(lsaiah 43:15). David was a king with great opportunities and privileges, yet, he was 

thinking of a better place called heaven. Heaven cannot be compared with the earth. 

Hence, we too should be thinking of going to heaven despite our successes here.

"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, 

nor Sworn deceitfuly (Psalm 24:4). The answers to David's questions can be divided into 

two parts. One, "He that hath clean hands" which means forgiveness of outward sins 

through repentance and faith in Christ. This is called salvation experience. This gives you

 a good conscience and godly sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12). This experience will enable a 

youth to be free from vanity, deceit, dishonesty and other vices. Two, "and a pure heart" 

which means having a holy heart and life. It is also called sanctification.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). The Scripture says 

without a pure heart, you cannot see God. Hence, it is the will of God to give His children 

a pure heart. This He provided through the suffering of Jesus Christ on the Cross 

(Ephesians 5:25-27). Therefore, believing youths should go to Him in prayer of faith, total 

submission to Him and claim the promise of a pure heart througn is blood. Furthermore,

 this great heavenly experience attracts great heavenly blessings to the possessor. "He 

shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his 

salvation" (Psalm 24:5). Have you received a pure heart from your Creator? The rapture 

will soon occur. Be ready now "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye

everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The 

LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle" (Psalm 24:7,8). Here, the Psalmist 

calls on all on earth to allow or permit the GreatSovereign, Supreme King into their 

hearts to rule and reign without rival. As God is King of the whole universe,