Words of Encouragement: The Lord Is My Shepherd
By Brother Guy Ames
Have you ever visited a shepherd? Have you ever seen sheep sheared? Have you ever watched a sheep dog work a flock of sheep? Have you heard the bleating cries of lambs during lambing season? Sheep, Shepherds & wool have been part of the world’s economy since nearly time began. It’s no wonder that the Bible should refer to God as Shepherd. The most famous of all Psalms begins with that phrase: “The Lord is my shepherd.”
Shepherds were the most common industry in Southern Israel. The Judean wilderness, filled with rock, mountainous terrain, good only for vineyards, olive orchards, and – sheep. Bedouin shepherds still herd their flocks near Bethlehem to this day.
Sheep are vulnerable in the open range of Southern Judea. In John 10 Jesus mentions that he is the Good Shepherd, willing to lay down his life for the sheep. Sheep depend upon the Shepherd for their safety, and Jesus contrasts those who are not shepherds—thieves who only want to steal or destroy—while the shepherd watches over each sheep, knows them by name and goes in search of the lost one.
When Jesus said that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice he is mentioning a well-known fact, sheep will only respond to the voice of their shepherd. The shepherd calls “his own sheep” by name & leads them out. If you have ever watched this in practice you know that any “stranger” calling will not bring one sheep, but as soon as the shepherd speaks, they come running. Why? Because, the shepherd, known by the sheep is the one to lead them to food, safety, and water. The good shepherd walks ahead of the sheep – they follow him – they know him. Jesus Is our Good Shepherd.
David’s psalm teaches us about the character and nature of God and lists eight characteristics. God is our Shepherd, caring for our needs. Second, God is Our Provider …even in challenging times. Green pastures represent safety and nourishment. God offers to provide what we need day by day. “He leads us besides still waters…” God is our peace, our shalom. Shalom means wholeness, not just the absence of stress or violence. In southern Israel, the Judean wilderness near the Dead Sea is the beautiful national park of Old Testament fame, En Geddi. A natural waterfall emerges from artesian springs creating an oasis in the desert that brings this picture to life. God our Shepherd brings us into those quiet, peace-filled places to replenish our spirits and renew our minds.
“He restores my soul”; God is our Restorer. God brings renewal, retreat, and restoration. The journey of life can be hard – God does not take us out of the hardships of life, but he provides for us on the journey, and when life takes its toll, he offers to renew us. “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake”; God is our Righteousness. God is creating in us the likeness of Jesus, a person of right living, right heart, right relationships that our neighbors might see the reflection of God in us.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” God is our Comforter. Driving south out of Jerusalem along the road to Jericho our tour guide stopped to allow us to peer down into the vast canyon expanse of the southern Judean wilderness. Seeing this you might think you’ve stumbled into the Arizona desert or found the Grand Canyons. The cliffs are dangerously steep and deep and the terrain is so desolate. Our guide told us that far down those canyon corridors is a ravine so isolated that Bedouin shepherds still avoid it after dark. He told us, “for thousands of years this ravine has been called “valley of deep sorrow” or the “valley of the shadow of death”. Young David knew the danger of such a place but reminds us that we don’t fear because God is With Us. Corrie ten Boom told of her sister Betsy in the despair of Nazi Concentration Camp reminding her, “No pit is so deep, that God is not deeper still.”
“Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…” God is our Peace. Can anything be more challenging than facing a true enemy? Over ten years ago a young white supremacist entered Charleston, South Carolina’s Mother Emmanuel Church during a prayer meeting, shot and killed many who were there to pray and honor God. Afterwards, instead of breaking into riots like other places in our country, Charleston gathered for prayer meetings. What was the difference? Almost immediately after the killings one after another of those African American Families talked about their work of forgiving the murderer of their loved ones. God is our Victor. This what Paul declares in Romans 8: 31-37, we are not only victorious, but more than conquerors.
Finally, God is our Sanctifier – “He anoints my head…” God calls us out for special work, service, ministry, anointing us by his Holy Spirit to live out as his holy sheep in a world of lost sheep. God’s Spirit is working in you to purify your life so that others see Jesus in you. The Result? “Surely goodness & mercy shall follow”– Jesus, the Good Shepherd leads us…
Do we recognize His voice? Or do we keep listening to other voices, seeking a different result? The invitation of Jesus is to trust him, follow him, and receive the life that he promises. Remember Jesus’ invitation – “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11: 28-29).
