The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want.
-Andy Gleiser
What's going
on in your life today? What weighs on your mind at night? What do you find
strangling your soul? Do you have issues at home? Do you feel lost? Feeble?
Fearful? The 23rd Psalm is what you need. You need a Shepherd. Jesus said in
John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for
the sheep." As you read the Shepherd's psalm, remember it is all about
Jesus.
If it
is true Jesus is your Shepherd, what does that make you? A sheep! What are
sheep like? I'm sorry…it's not too flattering! Sheep stink. Sheep are fearful.
Sheep are stupid, weak, dependent, and have a strong desire to wander away.
Surely, this couldn't be a picture of us! But wait…
Can
your attitude, behavior, or reactions stink? Check.
Do you
ever worry over the future, your parents, your salvation, or even failing?
Check.
Have
you ever done a foolish, stupid act of sin, going places physically or
digitally you never dreamed you would? Check.
Do you
lack strength to obey God and walk with him? Check.
Do you
need guidance for big decisions? Check.
Has
there ever been a time when you drifted away from God? Check.
Ouch!
We are very much like sheep. What do sheep need? A Shepherd! And according to
David, you have one, and his name is Yahweh. Yahweh is the One who was reigning
when you went to sleep and when you awoke. Yahweh is the One who holds the
universe together by the power of his voice. Oceans obey the slightest command
of Yahweh!
But though
he may be a Shepherd to millions, he is your Shepherd. Yes, Jesus is
all-powerful. Yes, Jesus is special, perfect, and sovereign. Yes, Jesus is God.
But Jesus is yours! Health, moods, plans, and family all change, but your
Shepherd never changes, never leaves, never forsakes, and never sleeps.
But
don't miss the end of the verse. Jesus is also your satisfaction. Because he is
your Shepherd, you will not lack anything you need for today or tomorrow. This
also means you will not crave anything. In other words, Jesus so satisfies you
that you need nothing else. You don't need the approval of classmates; you have
Jesus. You don't need a relationship with a boy/girl to make you happy; you
have Jesus. You don't need more stuff to make you feel special; you have Jesus.
Nothing satisfies like your relationship with Jesus.
Food
for thought: You may know Psalm 23, but how well do you know the Shepherd?
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