A Shepherd Secures Them
The Lord's people have a Shepherd who provides for them, protects them, and gives them peace, making them free from danger and fear.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the security and peace that the Lord provides to His people, likening them to sheep who, despite their vulnerability, are protected by their Shepherd. He reassures that the afflicted and poor, who do not resort to iniquity or deceit, will find sustenance and rest without fear of evil. Spurgeon highlights that while wolves may threaten, the presence of the Shepherd ensures that His flock will thrive and be free from terror. Ultimately, Jesus is portrayed as the source of nourishment and tranquility for the souls of believers.
Text
They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13)
Yesterday we thought of the afflicted and poor people whom the Lord left to be a living seed in a dead world. The prophet says of such that they shall not work iniquity nor speak lies. So that while they had neither rank nor riches to guard them, they were also quite unable to use those weapons in which the wicked place so much reliance: they could neither defend themselves by sin nor by subtlety.
What then? Would they be destroyed? By no means! They should both feed and rest and be not merely free from danger but even quiet from fear of evil.
Sheep are very feeble creatures, and wolves are terrible enemies; yet at this hour sheep are more numerous than wolves, and the cause of the sheep is always winning, while the cause of the wolves is always declining. One day flocks of sheep will cover the plains, and not a wolf will be left. The fact is that sheep have a Shepherd, and this gives them provender, protection, and peace. "None" -- which means not one, whether in human or diabolical form -- "shall make them afraid." Who shall terrify the Lord's Rock when He is near? We lie down in green pastures, for Jesus Himself is food and rest to our souls.
Sermon Outline
- The Shepherd's Provision
- The Shepherd's Protection
- The Shepherd's Presence
- The Lord's people have a Shepherd
- The Shepherd gives provender, protection, and peace
Key Quotes
“None -- which means not one, whether in human or diabolical form -- shall make them afraid.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“We lie down in green pastures, for Jesus Himself is food and rest to our souls.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We can trust in the Lord's presence and provision in our lives to be free from danger and fear.
- Having a Shepherd means having a provider, protector, and source of peace.
- We can lie down in green pastures, trusting in Jesus as our food and rest.