Monday October 2, 2023
Is He Your Shepherd?
Psalm 23 – “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.”
It’s not difficult to imagine the state of any sheep that strays away from under its shepherd’s leadership and direction. Such a sheep is an easy prey for predators and thieves. Even if it’s not preyed upon or stolen, it faces a harder life wandering all by itself in search of food. A sheep without a shepherd is not some happy fellow strutting away upon the hills.
‘I am the Good Shepherd,’ says Jesus in John 10:11. This Shepherd would lay down his life for His sheep! With this Shepherd, the sheep has no care in the world; it lacks nothing! With this Shepherd, you are guided and directed to the richest and the safest of places for feeding. With this Shepherd you run no risk of falling and breaking a limb, because He guides you ‘on the right paths for His name’s sake’. And even in times of danger, where some enemy threatens, you do not need to fear, because this ready-to-die-for-you Shepherd is right there with you.
Sometimes He lays his rod upon you, to get you back in line, and to keep you from straying into the traps and snares of the enemies that wait and watch along the way. When you feel the weight or sting of his rod, you know it’s for your good, as your Shepherd does all He does in your interest – His goodness and mercy follow you all your life.
Is Jesus Christ your Shepherd? Don’t follow another! Every other guide is a fraud. ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.’ Friend, submit to His leadership today!