Introduction: As I was reading this Psalm last week, I was reminded of my status with God as a sheep. He is my Shepherd. I am His sheep. There have always been people who have rejected Christianity because of a deeply ingrained spirit of rebellious independence. Do you remember the poem we learned in high school called "Invictus?" It exemplifies that rebellious spirit:

Invictus
By William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Not even the hopelessness of death, or the threat of Hell, would move this man in the poem to be a sheep, and to let God be his Shepherd.

In I Corinthians 1:22-23 Paul said that some of his listeners, to whom he had preached the Gospel, were like that. To the Jews, the Gospel was a stumbling block. It offended their spiritual pride. To the Greeks, it was foolishness, it offended their intellect. The worldly kings in Psalm 2:1-3 wanted only to cast off God's bands and chains. But King David says "I am God's sheep. God is my Shepherd." What a difference in attitude?

It is a good thing to be God's sheep. What does our Shepherd do for us?

I. He gives us spiritual food and drink (vss. 1-3a).

II. He gives us guidance on life's path (vs. 3b).

III. He gives us courage to face death (vs. 4).

IV. He gives us an abundance in this life (vss. 5-6a).

V. He gives us eternal life in the world to come (vs. 6).

Conclusion: Satan said in one of Milton's poems that he would rather reign in Hell than bow the knee to God and enter Heaven. Invictus says "I will never let God be my master. I would rather go to Hell and keep my pride." The worldly kings sought to overthrow God's bands. What about you? Will you be like them, or will you let God be your Shepherd? Ain't too shabby, bein' Christ's sheep! Amen.