The Lord is . . . my Shepherd. We don’t need to be sheep herders to understand the role and responsibility of a shepherd. We’ve all heard about the shepherds “watching their flocks by night” when they were informed of Jesus’ birth and have read His words in John 10, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
A shepherd who knows his sheep understands their needs and temperaments, their proclivity to wander and their need for care and guidance. Our Shepherd knows that and more, after all, He created us. Psalm 23 describes ways our Shepherd cares for us:
- He makes us rest
- He leads us to water for refreshment
- He guides us to the best paths
- He protects us with His rod
- He comforts us with His staff
- He feeds us
- He anoints us as His
- He blesses us to overflowing
The consistency and tenderness of God’s shepherding care shows us His love. But He is more than a shepherd.
He is my Shepherd. Mine!
This is deeply personal and worthy of meditation.
I invite you to lie in your bed tonight and savor each of the first five words of Psalm 23. Drift off to sleep delighting in The. Lord. Is. My. Shepherd.
Photo by Sally Teschon
Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart
BARBARA HIGBY 