THE SHEPHERD

As I stood near the edge of the fence, I watched as the sheep grazed in their pen. It had rained recently and these sheep were a mess and I wondered afresh why God lovingly called us the sheep of His pasture. Ewwwwww! They were matted, grimy and honestly, pretty smelly. I glanced at their twisted and mud-caked wool and I questioned how anything of value could be found there.

Now every sheep looked (and smelled) the same to me and I wondered how they kept track of them all-but Papa God knew I was looking at them through untrained, uncaring eyes. And He whispered to my heart; “I know every sheep of My flock, because I love them and they couldn’t be more different!” My heart was warmed by His declaration of love and relationship. Yes, the Good Shepherd sees each of His lambs as a peculiar treasure, worthy of care and protection. This reminded me of the Twenty-third Psalm. Let’s take a look at this very familiar passage.

 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” David calls God not just A shepherd but HIS shepherd. There were many shepherds-but the only one that mattered to a particular sheep was HIS shepherd. For it was their own personal shepherd that provided them with nourishment and care and who led the way, bringing them to the very edge of the still refreshing waters. In the Hebrew “still waters” means the waters of quietness. I like that! Having eaten to their hearts content, they also needed an unhurried place to drink. Had the water been a babbling brook the noise might’ve frightened the skittish sheep or a raging torrent could’ve swept them away...no, this was a place of quiet restoration : )  A place to drink in quietness...it sounds like the perfect place for the shepherd to restore a soul!

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake.” A trustworthy shepherd knew every nook and cranny of the entire region and he knew where the flock needed to end up ultimately. He was also aware of the best places to eat, drink and rest AND thankfully he also knew the particular paths to get them there safely! And our Good Shepherd knows His desired destination for each of His little lambs and He leads the way...we have only to follow!

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Following doesn’t always mean taking the easy path, no doubt there were places of darkness and even danger for the flock-but a good shepherd knew that the seemingly safest path could be deceptive. So while on high alert, he confidently led his flock through the dark places. He wasn’t worried for he had his trusty rod and staff to guide and protect them. Of course the ultimate reason the sheep didn’t have to be afraid was because the shepherd was always there, never leaving the sheep to its own efforts.

And although our Heavenly Shepherd sometimes chooses paths for us that are draped in obscurity, we never need to be afraid either, for always He is with us, and we too, have only to trust and follow our Shepherd and we will end up safely at our final destination.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” God can make any place a place of safety and abundance, even where we least expect it.

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” This is indicative of blessing, gladness& abundance. With God there is never” just enough” because His very presence ushers in superabundance!

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” NIV The goodness of the shepherd pursues a sheep from the time it is a frolicking little lamb to the days when it is aged and travel becomes more arduous. And our Divine Shepherd’s love and goodness never cease pursuing us either! Think about it...the day you were conceived and your natural life began, His love and goodness was there protecting you! And from that day until now, His goodness and loving-kindness have watched over you...always pursuing you when you have made poor choices that landed you in precarious places! And on our final day...when we breathe our last... especially in that moment, His goodness and loving-kindness will not leave us! Although others can bring comfort, and peace up to a certain point, it is only our good Shepherd who journeys with us until we are found in His eternal home,  dwelling with Him FOREVER!

 The Lord had revealed Himself as the good and loving Shepherd to David...and what He imparted to David’s heart holds true for us as well! Below is what God’s confession to David’s heart might’ve sounded like and please know that He may long to whisper it to your heart as well!

I the Lord, am your Shepherd, so because of me you will not be in true want. I will make you lie down in green meadows & I will lead you to the very edge of still refreshing waters. I will restore your wearied soul. I will surely guide you on clear, righteous paths for My name’s sake. Even though you may have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you never have to be afraid because I am right there with you, always. I will use My rod and My staff to bring safety & comfort to you. I will prepare you a banqueting table right there in the very presence of your enemies. I will anoint your head with oil & you need to know that the cup of my blessing is full to the point of overflowing. Surely My goodness and my unconditional love will pursue you all the appointed days of your life and on that very last day, you will come to Me & you will dwell safely in My house...forever.

Let’s pray.

Oh great and good Shepherd, thank You for knowing and loving us intimately, for seeing something of worth in us though we are matted and earth-encrusted! Wash from us the grime that has attached itself as we have walked this life. Lead us to a place of quiet rest that we may bask in Your presence and receive the restoration of our souls! Open our eyes to see You as our good and trustworthy Shepherd, that we may know and be known, that we may love and trust You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.