Our Shepherd

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1, ESV).

David understood what it meant to be a good shepherd. He knew what it was to care for a sheep so that it had no needs. David knew that a sheep had no hope without a shepherd to care for it.

It is hard to know which of his many struggles moved David to write these words, but I think it is safe to say they are born of struggle. Psalm 23:4 speaks of the "valley of the shadow of death." In Psalm 23:5, he acknowledges that his Shepherd had prepared him a table for him in the presence of his enemies.

David must have felt like a sheep--helpless and needy. Pursued and harassed. Yet David was serene. There was a rod and staff that protected him. There was still water from which to drink. His soul was restored as he rested in the green grass of God's goodness.

We have a Shepherd. He is referred to as the Good Shepherd--who laid down his life for his sheep. He is the chief Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. His name is Jesus, and he cares for us.

Our Shepherd and Guardian

"For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of you souls" (1 Peter 2:25, HCSB).

Usually, people don't like to think of themselves as animals. When the lines of comparison point squarely at a herded animal, the impulse to reject such comparisons becomes stronger. We don't want to see ourselves as cattle. If you know much about sheep, you don't want to be compared to them either. Sheep are not very intelligent and lack a defense mechanism.

Peter's words here pull no punches. He not only compares us to sheep, but tells us we are the kind that wonder off from safety and protection. Does that make us brave, curious, or stupid? If it softens the blow, we'll use the term foolish. Curiosity can be fatal, just ask a cat. Doing dangerous things doesn't necessarily make us brave, we could just do them because we don't know any better.

Do you ever look back at events in your life and wonder how you made it out alive (and mostly sane)? Peter tells believers that it is their Shepherd and Guardian, Jesus Christ, that has brought them through.

Did you ever have the feeling someone was watching over you? It is popular in our culture to speak of guardian angels and deceased relatives as those who watch over us. However, Peter says we have the best Guardian: Jesus.

He is the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep. He does not flee from danger, but guards his sheep with vigilance, so rest easy little lamb. Your Shepherd won't fail you.

The Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

I know very little about sheep.  I have read that sheep are known to be defenseless, stupid, and timid.  It upsets a lot of people to be compared with sheep.  Yet, the Lord compares his people to sheep all the time.  Jesus had compassion on the crowds because he viewed them as sheep with out a shepherd.  Thus, he viewed them as individuals in grave danger.

We imagine ourselves to be greater than sheep.  We take measures to protect ourselves against danger.  We wear seat belts, helmets, or life jackets. We insure ourselves, our cars, and our homes.  We participate in neighborhood watches and avoid strangers.  We buy guns, get concealed carry permits, and take self-defense courses.  We use these measures to assure ourselves that it is all okay.   But it's not.  Without Christ, we are sheep without a shepherd--defenseless, helpless, and weak.

We fool ourselves into believing that world isn't really a bad place, that the devil doesn't really exist, and we're not vulnerable to attack.  Yet, we are sheep in a world filled with lions, wolves, bears, etc.  We need a Shepherd who is might to save, who is always ready to protect us with his rod and his staff.

So often we are afraid to approach our Shepherd.  The reasons are numerous I am sure, but all are unfounded.  He invites us to come to him, to be near him.  He delights in protecting us, in comforting us, and in caring for us.  His voice is known to us; it resonates deep within our hearts calling us to him.

While we may not wish to be sheep, nevertheless, we are safe in the Good Shepherd's arms.  He is with us, even through the valley of the shadow of death.  He has prepared for us a table, and a cup that over flows.  His arms are mighty to save, so we can lay down in the green pastures and rest beside the still waters.

Because our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, laid down his life and took it up, we shall not want.  We lack no good thing.  We have forgiveness, cleansing, and a righteousness from heaven.  We have the Spirit of adoption, whereby, we cry "Abba, Father."  We have an inheritance.  We have a ministry of reconciliation.  We have a hope and a future.

Jesus said, "the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."  In essence, Jesus is telling us that he willfully exchanges his life for the life of his sheep.  By doing this he displays his goodness.  He demonstrates that it is his desire to rescue and not to destroy us.  It is easy to rest in a love like that.  As Isaiah says, "We all like sheep have gone astray" (Isa. 53:6).  The Good Shepherd is calling you to come, heed his voice and find rest for your weary soul.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

"For thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out'" (Ezek. 34:12, ESV).

I am thinking (and praying) through several difficult situations. Satan would have me to believe the lie that God is not able to deliver those in these situations. He would have me to give into despair. When he can't get me to give into these tactics, he attacks me in all my weak spots. He keeps me busy with less important matters. He keeps my mind chasing meatless rabbits. He knows that if he can keep me stumbling in sin, or burdened by shame, or wrestling with doubt, he can keep me off balance and ineffective.

But I am not an abandoned sheep. My shepherd is ever vigilant and ever near. When I was lost and going astray, he came seeking me and brought me into the fold. Jesus has the power to slay that old lion, the Devil. While it doesn't seem like it, Satan is a defeated foe. His time is short. We must continually confront his lies with this truth.

As I think about the ravages of sin that I have witnessed in my life, I am comforted to know that I have a shepherd who cares for me. My prayer for those who profess Christ as their Lord and who are struggling with sin can be summed up by the song "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us:"

Savior like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care;
In the pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou has bought us, thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou has bought us, thine we are.

We are thine; do thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way;
Keep thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou has promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou has mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to thee;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to thee.

Early let us seek thy favor; early let us do thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Lord, you have bought us, we are yours. As we pray through the hard times ahead, hear us when we pray. You have promised to receive us, even though we are poor and sinful. Defend us from sin and seek us when we go astray. You have loved us, and will continue to do so. We give you thanks and praise for showing us your gracious kindness. Amen.