Today’s Psalm is one that is probably the most famous in the Book of Psalms. If you were anything like me, it’s the first chapter that you had to learn to memorize in Sunday school: The Lord is my Shepherd. And if you were like me, you probably visualized a man herding sheep, protecting the sheep, making sure that they had food, shelter, ect. And all of that is true, but if you really look deeper, you can see that it parallels to the God being our Shepherd.
Verse 1-3 says: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Do you think that the sheep are worried about their own needs? They trust the shepherd to take care of them, to feed them, give them water. They do not worry for anything. Verse 4-5 says: “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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Have you ever thought of the many dangers that the shepherd would have to protect his sheep from? Wild animals, valleys, dangerous terrain, storms, ect. The shepherd has to protect his sheep, and sheep follow him without concern. Verse 6 says: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the says of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
If a shepherd cares that much for his sheep, how much more does God, who is our Shepherd care for us? He cares, loves, protects, guides, provides for us. If even just 1 sheep is lost, He will go and find him and bring him back. In John 10:4 “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” The sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. The same should be said of God. We should recognize His voice. It only makes sense. To have a relationship with God we have to be able to hear his voice and know that it is Him. How can we truly be His sheep, to be able to trust Him, to follow Him if we can’t recognise His voice? It starts with studying the Word, praying, listening for Him to speak to you, spending time with Him. You will know when it’s God, when what He tells you lines up with Word. (It has to line up with the Bible) God will never lie to you, He will never bring you down, He will always speak life to you, always speak the Word.
If you are born again, then you are one of his sheep and He is the Shepherd. He will take care of you, protect you, and provide for you. Stop worrying over things and let Him lead and guide you! Trust Him and listen for His voice!
Hugs,
Erin
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