PREACHER’S NOTE 14 SEPTEMBER 2025
What’s your favourite part of the 23rd Psalm? I remember
as a little Grade 1 pupil, listening wide-eyed as our teacher
told us about David the shepherd who was going to
be king, but for now was learning to love God and trust
Him while looking after his sheep in the wide open spaces.
She asked us to write down our favourite part of Psalm
23 – the part that spoke to us most. I carefully copied the
part where David says that even if he walks in the most
dangerous places, God will be with him and protect him
– I still absolutely love that part. I also remember we were
waiting for a girl called Cheryl, who was taking ages to
complete the task. Finally the teacher asked Cheryl what
was taking so long, and she said she couldn’t choose –
the whole Psalm spoke to her – and so she was copying
the whole Psalm. Wisdom from the mouths of babes!
This week our theme is around us being God’s people,
the sheep in His pastures. I wondered why sheep? And I
was sure most people wouldn’t like to be compared with
sheep! I found a book by an actual shepherd writing
about what sheep do, and how to look after them, unpacking
Psalm 23 line by line. He speaks about how fearful
they are, how they get themselves lost and in trouble,
how vulnerable they are to predators, infections and
poor grazing, and how much care they actually need!
What a beautiful unpacking of what David meant, and
what Jesus loved and taught from the Psalms about His
Father’s relationship with us.
I’d love to take you through some of these thoughts on
Sunday. Come and find out just how much like sheep we
are, and how we so need a lovely caring Shepherd.
Blessings,
Andrew.