God My ShepherdSample

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23 is arguably one of the most well-known pieces of Scripture in modern day Christianity. We can recite it by heart and we relate it to finding rest.

What does David mean when he calls God his shepherd? Why is this specific profession a powerful way to describe God?

#1: A Shepherd Provides

The very first thing a shepherd does is he provides for his sheep’s needs.

Sheep, just like any other animal, need food and water. They also need safety and direction.Sheep need to graze on grass fields for food and cannot drink from fast flowing streams.

It is the role of the shepherd to find the right fields for his sheep and to wake up early to search for quiet waters.

It is not surprising that David mentions both of these things in Psalm 23:2: ‘He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.’

David found that God was just like a shepherd in this respect – He provided for all of David’s needs so that David could confidently say, ‘I shall not want’.

God our Shepherd is extremely intentional. He does not give us everything we want, but He does give us everything we need.

#2: A Shepherd Protects

By nature, sheep do not have claws or sharp teeth to defend themselves from predators with, rendering them vulnerable when lost and alone in the wild.

For this reason, the shepherd is with his sheep at all times. He serves the sheep, protects the sheep, and would even give His life for the sheep.

David knew this to be true of God. In Psalm 23:5 he says, ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’

In the same way, when we are helpless, God fights for us!

#3: A Shepherd Pursues

In Luke 15:4-6 we read of a story which best describes what God is like as a shepherd: He leaves the 99 sheep in his fold to find the 1 which went astray.

Even though there are many other sheep in the pasture, God is intentional with each of them individually. Everyone is precious in His eyes and He is willing to seek after and to bring His sheep – that’s you and I – back home when we lose our way!

I love that David knew God to be his shepherd, but what I love more is that this foreshadowed what Jesus revealed about Himself…

Jesus also called Himself a shepherd: ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11)

In Jesus, we see the clearest picture of what God is like – He truly is not just David’s Shepherd but ours too.

How undeserving we are, and yet we have a Shepherd to provide, protect and pursue us all the way.

Reflection:

Having read about the role of a shepherd, in what way have you seen God:

- Provide for you?

- Protect you?

- Pursue you?

Prayer:

Lord God,

Thank you for being my Shepherd.

You provide for me to live abundantly, protect me from my enemies, and pursue me when I’m going in the wrong direction.

Even though I am so incapable, You pour out Your love for me the way a shepherd does for his sheep.

May I continue to be a sheep that listens to Your voice and lives within Your love.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.