Can you say that you have everything you need…emotionally, physically and spiritually…tangible and intangible…and that you lack nothing?
Psalm 23, a well known Psalm of King David, describes what it is like to know God as our shepherd.
A shepherd tends, herds, feeds, and guards. A shepherd provides for, guides and protects.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
Jesus declared that “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” John 10:14.
Allowing Jesus to be your shepherd, you:
- lack nothing
- are content
- are refreshed
- are guided
- have no fear
- are accompanied at all times
- are comforted
- are protected
- have your needs met
- are affirmed and valued
- are surrounded by goodness
- are surrounded by love
- have this forever
How do I know? Because I experience this every day. Jesus knows me and my relationship and experience of Him is all of the above and more.
There is nothing not to like about trusting in Jesus to be your Saviour and Shepherd.
It is a choice we all have. You will be totally content and lack nothing if you choose to let Jesus be your shepherd.
He is such an awesome shepherd. A shepherd is a perfect description of who He is and how he treats you when you know him.
Just like sheep, we tend to be a bit wayward, following our own sense of direction, separating ourselves from the shepherd, until without realising it, we are lost. Eventually we look up and find ourselves alone, we try to find shelter, we try and find food, we try to protect ourselves, we try to determine what we can trust in, we try to survive, but to be honest, we feel harassed, helpless and alone, anxious and afraid, as we try and navigate life.
Jesus told a parable about lost sheep.
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ Luke 15:3-6
Jesus is an active shepherd. Sheep don’t get to choose their shepherd. In the same way, Jesus is your shepherd. He has found you and he is calling you to come to him, to let him lift you onto his shoulders where you can feel the embrace, warmth and provision of your shepherd.
He is not angry with you for ignoring him all this time, or for straying from him, he genuinely will rejoice and be so pleased when you come to him.
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