Our Good Shepherd Still Leads His Sheep
When I stayed at Karen and George’s a few weeks ago, I learned Karen’s daily routine with Mom. Not only was I able to relieve Karen of some of her duties, but, just in case I were needed in Karen’s absence, I would be able to carry on. I made a good list of every detail.
Well, not every detail, and I need to add this one. Every day, before Mom goes to bed for the night, together they quote by heart, Psalms 23. It is the famous and ever quoted, “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want…..”
A few years ago, I was in Keukenhof, Holland at a beautiful Tulip Festival. At that festival they had a petting corral with many well-cared for and so well-protected sheep in a confined area. In fact, you could easily call them “pampered” sheep. They live in green pastures, are well fed and completely out of danger.
But, what about those sheep that are in a field and are open-prey to ravenous animals and harm? They are the ones that truly need a shepherd to watch over and care for them. We are like those sheep. How comforting to know that wherever we are, our Good Shepherd keeps a watchful eye on us. Jesus shares something central to our life of faith. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” (John 10:11). Like a shepherd, He leads us, feeds us, protects us, and saves us. How could He have such audacious and unrelenting love for us?
The simple, yet profound answer has always been the same – God IS love. It is Who He is. He can’t stop loving us. “We are His children, and we are the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3) He loves us so much that He asked His Son to leave His heavenly home, take on a human body and lay down His life for us. And, now enthroned with His Father, Jesus still guides us to safety, restores our souls and our strength.
As, one of those well-fed, cared for, and protected “pampered” sheep, like Karen lovingly quotes this scripture with Mom to remind her of God’s lovingkindness to her, I also delightfully proclaim:
“The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for He is with me. His rod and His staff — they comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23.
YOU are also one of God’s beloved sheep and those words apply to you, too! Wouldn’t you also like to make that proclamation of assurance?