The Lord is my shepherd….I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep and am known by My own
Psalm 23:1; John 10:14
Maybe knowing the Lord as your shepherd calms your anxious thoughts as it does mine.
God has always promised to shepherd His people. Because He knows me, His care includes:
- providing what I need – spiritually and physically (I shall not want)
- refreshment and rest (He makes me lie down in green pastures)
- calm in a world of turmoil (He leads me beside the still waters)
- renewing my strength (He restores my soul)
- guiding me along right paths (He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake)
At one time in America, the expression, “He is as good as his word,” meant one could be trusted to do what he said he would do. In those days, contracts were made “on a handshake” because a man’s name and reputation were more important to him than anything else. That is no longer the standard. But for God, who does not change, He still is as good as His Word. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a). For His name’s sake, my Shepherd committed Himself to care for me and all His sheep.
We do not know whether David wrote this psalm as a young shepherd or after he occupied his throne. One thing we do know. David was aware he needed a shepherd. The same shepherd who never left David’s side as a shepherd boy is the same shepherd who would lead David through the enormous responsibility of being king and ancestor to the Good Shepherd.
The Lord shepherds His own and assigns people – such as David – to glimpse how that is done. His ultimate example was His own Son – sent to live among His sheep, care for them, and prepare them for an eternal place of peace and security.
These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!
Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT
God continues to fulfill His promises – for his name’s sake.
He has promised to lead – we just need to follow.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.
Psalm 23:3,85:13
One Focus Ministries 