The Lord is my Shepherd

June 9, 2020

David, who is familiar with hardships, enemies, and anxiety, writes this famous poem about how God’s presence brings peace, even in “the shadow of the valley of death.”  

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

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REFLECT

The Lord is My Shepherd

By Tom Richards

The 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar passages in all of scripture. Many have these verses memorized and they are often read at funeral services. The words of this Psalm provide comfort during difficult times. Even though we may experience things in this life that we do not “want”, God’s Word and his Presence can bring us peace – “green pastures”. These words, as with many words in scripture, can uniquely “restore our souls”. The promises of God, specifically the promise of eternal life with him, enable us to “fear no evil”. We know that like a shepherd, he holds us in his hands and that even death does not have victory over us.

It may seem strange, but as powerful and familiar as the 23rd Psalm is I was having a difficult time thinking about what to write in this post. I shared this with my wife, and she encouraged me to look at these verses from a spiritual and eternal perspective. As part of this conversation we talked about a friend of hers who was dying of cancer. My wife, who is well acquainted with physical suffering, shared a text that she sent to her friend several days earlier. I think it captures the message of the 23rd Psalm and with her permission I would like to share it with you.

“I know it’s late, but I just want you to know I’m thinking about you (as I do every night). Pain seems so much worse at night and then on top of that you are so sleep deprived you don’t know how you’ll get through the next day. My heart aches for you and for what you are enduring… and more chemo. You must be feeling so overwhelmed.

I pray: Father God, comfort Cheryl in a way that only you can. Be so near that she can feel your Presence and hold her Lord. Speak to her heart and tell her how proud you are that she’s been a Christian leader in her home and work and with her friends… and now more than ever in her suffering she is clinging to you and to your promise and she is standing firm on her faith! She knows you are God, you are in control, and that no matter what cancer tries to do to her body, her soul cannot be touched! You hold it safely in YOUR hands and there will be a victory. We love you Lord and we are trusting you. In Jesus name, Amen. Love you."

Cheryl died on May 21. Her funeral service was held on May 26. The first scripture reading in the service was the 23rd Psalm.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

The Lord is our Shepherd

12 December 

Scripture Reading

Read Psalm 23 and reflect on the passage.

The words of Psalm 23—words so well-known, memorized by many—paint a beautiful picture for us. A picture of the shepherd—the one who guards and protects the sheep and knows them by name; a picture of the comfort extended to us; a picture of the One who will always be with us.

The sheep are dependent upon the shepherd for everything—provision, protection, and guidance. They are helpless without the shepherd. 

In the New Testament, Jesus is called the good shepherd, so when we say “The Lord is my shepherd” we are also saying that we are His sheep. And we need nothing else because the Good Shepherd provides for our every need—comforting in times of need, gently turning us when we go astray, guiding us through the valley of the shadow of death. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name, He cares for them, comforts them, leads them to places of rest and peace.

The Shepherd never leaves or abandons His sheep, but rather promises that goodness and mercy will follow us…and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! What a picture and a promise!

Questions

1.      What comes to mind as you think of the Shepherd leading you to green pastures? Quiet waters? Restoring your soul?

2.      How has the Shepherd provided for and comforted you as you faced times of fear, discouragement, or “the valley of the shadow of death?”

  

Prayer

Good Shepherd, I pray to walk in peace and joy knowing that You, my Shepherd, are there to protect, provide for, and guide me. Amen.

—Becki Bork

The Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” -John 10:14-18

We have all heard of Jesus referred to as a shepherd. In today’s passage Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd.  This drew my attention and I asked myself what would make a “good” shepherd? 

Reading the scripture, I noticed how four times he says “he will lay down his life for the sheep.”  This was not a foreign idea.  It would have been normal for the shepherd to bring the flock home to the fold at night.  He would then lay down in the gate physically to protect the sheep from wolves coming into the sheepfold.  He literally put his life on the line for the sheep.

Think of this though, the shepherd would lay down, as the gate, in case something dangerous threatened his flock.  Jesus knew why he came to earth.  His job wasn’t to be ready to die for us if danger came.  His entire calling was to die a sinner’s death, a death he did not deserve, because Satan had already attacked.

Jesus never swayed from his calling. His love for us is so deep that he willingly sacrificed himself.  He didn’t live his life thinking, “I’m ready to die, if that’s what’s needed.”  He lived his life knowing how it would end.  That is definitely what I would call a Good Shepherd.

The Doorway to Life

Do you ever wonder, "Who really cares about me?"  We all experience moments when we feel insignificant or unimportant, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  We belong to God and that alone makes us a valuable treasure.  And our God does treasure us and He stands guard over us as well.

If you know anything about shepherds and the sheep they guard and protect, you would see the reason God uses them to illustrate how he cares for us.  Sheep are not the brightest animals in the world and they really do need a keeper.  Shepherds are trained to guard and protect their charges.  They care about them and seek them out when they wander off.

Can you see the parallel here?  Can you tell where I am going with this train of thought? There have been so many times in my life when I was just plain stupid.  My actions would indicate that I had no common sense and lacked personal pride.  But, God still sought me out; He chased me down until I gave Him my life.  Similar to the sheep that get themselves caught in the most dangerous situations and the shepherd who rescues them from themselves, God does that for me and for you too.

Unlike sheep that need to be guided all their life, I will learn from my mistakes, and eventually submit to my Shepherd's embrace.  I know there is only one way to be safe and have a future and that is through Jesus.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the only way into the heavenly fold. And he stands at the gate, not as a barrier but as a passage way.

"Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture." (John 10:7-9)

John 10:1-10

We Know Jesus' Voice

Today’s reading is John 9:39 – 10:18, the bulk of which is “The Good Shepherd and His Sheep.” Jesus likens himself to a shepherd, and the Church as a flock of sheep. He reminds us that true believers, sheep in the story, know Jesus and will follow only him. We know Jesus' voice.


But many will come, trying to deceive us with a false voice. This is concerning.

 

Verse 10:10 tells us that, “The thief comes only to steal and destroy.” There are many who tried to turn God’s people away from God, when Jesus was alive and prior to his birth.

 

Today there are many religious leaders who try to turn Christians away from the Church and God’s Word. Some put other books above the Bible. Some teach there are ways to heaven other than through Christ. Some even dare suggest that humans have what it takes to earn their way to heaven.

 

Political leaders, too, try to lead Christians astray. There are some, claiming to be Christians, who support abortion and alternative definitions of marriage. Throughout the world, some of these leaders have turned people away from Christ with the goal of a controlling government.  Communism, for instance, was introduced in parts of Latin America with the support of both political and religious leaders.

 

Yes, Jesus’ church is under attack. The thieves are here today.

 

The same verse continues, “I have come that they [my sheep] may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus’ church is under attack.  Sure, our adversaries will sometimes win a battle, but Jesus  protects us.  Our souls are secure. He also ensures that we will win the war. We will have life in full when we ascend to heaven. That is reassuring.

 

Verse 9:39 tells us Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world”. Jesus assures us that those who attack the church will be judged. Those who are not in his fold will be judged.

 

We will find satisfaction in knowing that good prevails over evil.

 

Concerning. Reassuring. Satisfaction. All because we know Jesus' voice.

 

We will find satisfaction in knowing that good prevails over evil.

 

The Shepherd Leads through the Valley

Psalm 23 - A psalm of David

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.

As a mother knows the cry of her child amidst a riot of sound, and blocks out all sound except that of her child, the Word tells us the good shepherd Jesus, hears our voices when we call out to him.

Often I think of the sweet Border collie who helped me raise my son. By virtue of her breeding she had the heart of a shepherd. Every evening at 8:30 she began sheep-herding my son to bed. If he woke during the night crying, she was immediately at my bedside barking loudly. She was always close at his side.

The work and the heart of the good shepherd is to guard, protect and comfort us. As we hear and know the voice of our good shepherd we become confident and restful in his care. He picks us up and carries us through the darkest valleys, he pulls us back from the slippery slope when we have wandered too far.

Up and over his strong shoulders we go, back into the shelter of his love and protection where goodness and mercy follow us.  I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10:14 (NIV)

Today's devotion is written by Diane Ward.  Diane is guest posting today and in May will begin writing the Tuesday devotion on this site.

Genesis 3:1-11

We all know the story of Adam and Eve with the serpent. It’s difficult to imagine how Eve could possibly have found credibility in a slithering snake.  The Lord had offered them the most beautiful gift they could ever receive, but they didn't know what they didn't know.

God is our ultimate source of life and fulfillment. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, they demonstrated a lack of trust that brought separation from God and therefore, death.

Verse 4-5: “You will surely not die,” the serpent said to the woman.” 

         For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Though the couple did not physically die, they lost the blessing of paradise, recognized their nakedness in shame, and ultimately hid from the Source of Life, who sustained them. This is the spiritual death that sin brings.

Verses 9-10: Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord

God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid

          from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Though Adam and Eve disobeyed and mistrusted the Lord, He wasn't content to let them be lost to Him forever. He sought them out, calling Adam’s name. “Where are you?” God knew, of course. But Adam and his wife were being held accountable. How had it come to this? Where did they stand with the Lord? What would happen next?

We too, must ask the question. Where do we stand in the eyes of The Great I AM?

In the book of John, Jesus reminds us:

John 6:35  I AM the bread of life…    
John 8:12  I AM the light of the world… 
John 10:7  I AM the gate for the sheep…   
John 10:11 I AM the good shepherd…  
John 11:25 I AM the resurrection and the life…      
John 14:6   I AM the way and the truth and the life...
John 15:5   I AM the vine; you are the branches...                                                                                                                                                                        

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has made a way for our relationship with Him to be reconciled and restored. Are you going to work on that? I AM!

Read/Listen to Genesis 3:1-11

Love Letters

Revelation 7:17 (NIV)
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Interesting, the Lamb is now the Shepherd. I never thought of this before. The youth, the young ram has taken over as leader and protector, guard and guide. What is he guarding, who is He leading? The great multitude in white robes; those who survived the tribulation with their faith secure; it is you and I. At least, that is what my heart is telling me.

Many avoid the Book of Revelation saying it is too hard to understand or it paints a picture to scary for me to embrace. Once we have an understanding of the purpose of this book, we view it differently. Revelation is a love letter to us from God. It is a note from the Bridegroom to His Bride. A victory letter to those who have survived the Great Tribulation. What is the tribulation? Life Application Bible Notes explains it this way:

"The great tribulation" has been explained in several ways. Some believe it refers to the suffering of believers through the ages; others believe that there is a specific time of intense tribulation yet to come. In either case, these believers come through their times of suffering by remaining loyal to God. Because they remain faithful, God will give them eternal life with him"

This is a promise we can all embrace; a certainty that give us courage to face tomorrow and wisdom to persevere through today.

Revelation 7:9-17

The Story - Chapter 26 - The Hour of Darkness

Jesus' omniscience is revealed in these words selected for today.

Matthew 26:31 (NIV)
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'"

God knows everything, as does Jesus. There is no hiding the past, there is even no hiding the future from Him. Jesus knew His men would desert Him and He loved them still.

Jesus knew we would sin and deny him with our sin long before we were ever conceived, but still He brought us into this world. God can and will use us just like we are. Jesus will put us in situation we can serve Him and draw others to Him, even in our sinfulness.

Jesus knew that Peter would deny him three times. This was perhaps Peter's gravest sin - yet Jesus loved and forgave Him. Think about your darkest moment. Jesus has it covered by His Amazing Grace.

Note: I am going to keep it short and to the point this week so we can consider one thought and see where God leads
Read Matthew 26:36-46 here

Listen to Matthew 26:36-46 here

The Story - Chapter 12 - Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Many text books and magazines for writers say to write about what you know. Write about that for which you have a passion and from which you can draw experiences. David was a shepherd and he most likely grew up tending sheep from an early age. David understood the ways of these animals he was charged to watch over. David did what it took to ensure their health and safety, tending to their needs.

When David wrote the Psalms, especially Psalm 23, he painted a picture of the LORD as a shepherd, drawing a parallel to his life experiences as a tender of sheep himself. David understood how completely helpless sheep are without their shepherd to guide, provide, and protect them.

Perhaps David wrote this particular Psalm later in his life, when he could look back and see all the amazing things God had done to and for him. Conceivably David was examining his heart one day, praising and praying to God when he considered the time he spent as a young shepherd out in the fields. He might have recognized the similarity between his duties as a shepherd and God’s love and care. At the very least David saw how totally dependent he was on God and could easily see the parallel.

During our time in chapters 11 and 12 of The Story we witnessed David’s great love for God and have seen evidence of his servant’s heart. This man was not only a warrior and a king, but a writer as well. God gifted this man in a number of ways because of the great plan He had for him. The fact that thousands of years later we are reading his work, learning from his experiences and mistakes is incredible. Oh, but that we could have such an impact on the future.

Read Psalm 23 here

Listen to Psalm 23 here

Zechariah 11:10-17

Zechariah is a short book packed with parallels, perception and prophesies.

"And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter." (Zechariah 11:13 (NIV)

As we prepare to journey through Holy Week next week, this is the perfect place to enter in. Zechariah the prophet was born in exile and returned from Babylon to Judah in 538 B.C. The theme is rebuilding the people and the temple of Judah; the Lord's return. Knowing this, as we read the words set aside for today it begins to come alive.

Leaders, shepherds have been given the charge to care for their flock. Zechariah's words are words of warning; words meant to prepare for the wrath of God. The Notes in Life Application Study Bible tell us the 30 pieces of silver paid to the shepherd was like a slap in the face. Can you see the parallel here? Thirty pieces of silver was the sum Judas received for betraying his Shepherd.

This is raising a question for me today. What price do I put on my Shepherd's head? What amount would I settle for when practicing my betrayal? What earthly possession or practice do I place above my Shepherd?

Read Zechariah 11:10-17 here

Listen to Zechariah 11:10-17 here

Matthew 1: 18-25

"The Birth of Jesus Christ." Last Sunday we talked about Mary and how she must have felt before, and after she was given the gift of Jesus. What about Joseph? He was really thrown for a loop too. A virgin birth? When that was revealed to Joseph, one can only imagine his thoughts and inner feelings about the whole thing.

That must have been quite a dream Joseph had. He too was told, "Do not be afraid." How could he argue with a voice from the heavens speaking the same words that Mary heard? Bringing the exact same message of hope for the world. Joseph and Mary both must have been thinking, "Why me? I am not worthy of this great honor, it cannot be true."

It was an honor beyond all others, yet a trial like no other. Some account is made of the time Mary spent with her son Jesus, but little to nothing is written about Jesus and Joseph sharing father/son time. It makes me wonder why. God chose Joseph for good reason to be his son's earthly father. When I think of the character of Joseph, a skilled, hard working man, it reminds me of my grandfather. The creations that emerged from his workshop were beautiful, yet he was a very quiet, gentle, and modest man. He did what he believed the Lord intended him to do, in a deliberate and focused manner. Never did I hear a cross word leave his lips. He had a strong, silent presence that required no explanation. This is the same type of man I picture Joseph being. He likely guided Jesus as a child and young boy in the same way a shepherd tended to his flock. Ever watchful, yet gentle when they stray. Though we do not have details of Jesus and Joseph's relationship, I believe we can be confident that God placed his son within the care of one of the most genuine men of all time. Because of the blind faith of Joseph and Mary so many years ago,the words of Joseph's dream are true today, "....and they will call him Immanuel" which means "God with us."

Psalms 23

Life with God...... It can't get any better than that!

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I 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 goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
AMEN!
My bible states that this is the most famous Psalm it contains. As I read it, I have the vision of a kind, caring and gentle shepherd. Too many of us imagine God as demanding and powerful. Well, though he has power beyond our imagination, he posesses love and compassion we are unable to comprehend. Isn't this the God you hope to spend your eternity with?

John 10:25-30

As someone who is in charge of a project will testify, many times decisions they have made and orders given are questioned by those who have been charged with the job.  Even little children challenge authority.  Many years ago one of my girls was spending time with their grandmother.  The child was in the car and instructed to sit down.  (This was in the day before child restraint laws.)  Her response was, "You're not the boss of me."

I cannot count the number of times I defied authority and lived to regret it.  It takes wisdom to get to the place of recognizing, believing and ultimately obeying those who have earned and deserve our trust.  Experience is generally the teacher of this lesson.  The Jews in Jesus' day had experienced, but still they were stubborn, they did not believe nor trust His authority. “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep." (John 10: 25-26)

I cannot imagine the feeling of being told by Jesus, "You are not my sheep." I know there are times I too, challenge His authority by taking my life into my own hands, by ignoring the command to, "pray continually," or to turn my back on my neighbor in their time of need.  It is time I open my eyes to the reality of Jesus' love as the Shepherd of my life.  When He leads me from danger I willingly will put my hand in His.



Read the John 10:25-30 text here.  Listen to the text reading here.

Be Shepherds - Acts 20:28-38

A year ago the theme for our Vacation Bible School was the 23rd Psalm.  I was given a book to read based on that Psalm and it taught all about sheep.  I was amazed with what I learned about these cute, cuddly, soft looking animals.  I learned they are not too smart, and they need to be led around by a shepherd for their very existence.

These creatures that God choose to use as examples in some of the parables, are dependent upon man for survival.  Given to their own devices they would perish.  I am grinning as I realize this is the exact reason Jesus chose this animal as His parallel example to us.  

I know that if I am left alone to figure life out, left without the Holy Spirit to call upon for guidance and understanding, I would be lost.  I am like that sheep who wanders away, gets caught up in some brambles, falls down and cannot get up again.      

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Thank you Jesus, you care enough to chase after me when you only count 99. Thank you Jesus, when you find me, you pick me up and lovingly carry me home in your arms. What a beautiful picture I have in my mind right now.
Read the Acts 20:28-38 text here.

Hide And Seek Ezekiel 34:7-16

My son loves to play hide-and-seek. He doesn't quiet have the hang of it though. He will many times hid in the same spot, or when I am pretending to wonder where he is, he'll give him self away. Hide-and-seek is a lot more fun when you understand the game.

It's not much different from our misunderstanding of how we accepted Christ. Have you ever heard someone tell you about when they found Jesus? Perhaps you have even felt as if your faith in Christ came as a result of something you finally did or understood. Our scripture tells us that we were not the ones doing the “finding”, rather Jesus was the one who sought us out.

This makes sense if you think about it. Jesus isn’t lost. He does not need us to find him. We are the ones lost in our sin, and in need of help to find our way back.

Our passage today explains it clearly, “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep… I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak,”

I hope you find it comforting to know that God is seeking us out. Just like I always know where my son is, God also knows where we are. He continures to pursure his hiding child, seeking out those who are lost in sin. We have a choice to follow him or not, but we don’t choose whether or not he will look for us. He loves us too much to leave the searching to us.


Read today's passage at Biblegateway Ezekiel 34:7-16

The Righteous Branch -- Jeremiah 23:1-8

A year ago the theme for our Vacation Bible School was the 23rd Psalm.  During that time we learned about sheep and shepherds and the role they play in each other's lives.  We learned that sheep are very needy, not self-sufficient at all.  Sheep need someone to care for them in every way; they need protection and guidance at all times.

We learned too about shepherds and the role they play in the lives and well-being of the sheep in their charge.  Left unattended the animals will fall prey to other wild animals just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on them and devour the helpless creatures.  These animals also need protection from the elements as well as direction to appropriate sources of nourishment.

It is fascinating to dig into the Biblical history of shepherds and the parallel we find between sheep (us) and the shepherd (Jesus) who cares for them. These sheep are helpless and susceptible to every danger lurking in the world.  Jeremiah's words reinforce this concept of sheep needing a shepherd.

He called the leaders of that time to task for not properly caring for their people.  He told them what God had revealed to him. "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done." (Jeremiah 23:2)  This causes me to reflect on who God has placed in my care.  I must remember that I am accountable to God for those I influence and lead.  Let's turn to our Shepherd, Jesus, for help.

To read the complete text for today click here .  To return to this posting hit the back arrow.