~ by Terry Walters
Psalm 23:1-6
David wrote the 23rd Psalm.
He had been a shepherd in his younger days.
He knew that the sheep depend on the shepherd
for nearly everything - providing pasture for food and rest,
still water for drinking, protection from enemies,
care for injuries, direction when on the move, and more.
Later, David became the King of Israel and
found that caring for and leading people was much the same.
The Bible often compares God's people to sheep.
The word “pastor” in the Bible is from a word meaning shepherd.
I take that role seriously, though no doubt
I am not particularly good at it.
Perhaps the best thing I do, is when I
point people to the One who is truly the Good Shepherd.
In the 23rd Psalm, David said that with all the
apparent needs of sheep, they
really only have one need, a good shepherd.
He knew a good shepherd would take
care of all the other needs.
He said the Lord was his Shepherd and
yes, his other needs were met!
The same is true today. If the Lord is your Shepherd,
your needs will be met - in His way and
timing and according to what He knows is best.
May we always realize we are the sheep
and the Lord is the Shepherd.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being our Good Shepherd.
Help us to trust You and follow You.
P.S. According to a book I read by a sheep rancher
named Phillip Keller, “Sheep require more
attention than any other livestock.
They just can't take care of themselves.
Unless their shepherd makes them move on,
sheep will actually ruin a pasture.
Sheep are near-sighted and
very stubborn, but easily frightened.
They have little means of self-defense.
They're timid, feeble creatures. Their only recourse
is to run, if no shepherd is there to protect them.
Sheep have no homing instincts. A dog, horse, cat,
or a bird can find its way home, but when
a sheep gets lost, it's a goner unless someone rescues it.
So, the over-riding principle of Psalm 23
is that sheep can't make it without a shepherd."
Our shepherd had better be the Lord!
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