The Good Shepherd

I came across the 23rd Psalm again today. I've heard this many times over the years and even helped little 1st graders memorize it during Awanas. But when I really look at the lines of the poem I'm just so captivated by the contentment that David found in God. I remember on the eve of my 24th birthday this past year, I was just reflecting on how good God had been over the past 23 years. While we have so many names for Him, sometimes I feel like Shepherd is really all want to use. He protects us, guides us, loves us, tends to us, cares for us, among so many other. 

The Shepherd. There is so much imagery in the Bible of a shepherd and his flock. I love the parable Jesus tells in Luke 15, when the shepherd has 100 sheep and loses 1; he leaves his 99 to search for just 1. Once he find it, there is great joy and rejoicing.

In John 10, Jesus tells the people that, “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." 

One of my favorite authors, Margaret Feinberg wrote this really great book, Scouting the Divine, and in the first part of the book she recalls time she spent with a modern day shepherd. She talks about the in and outs of caring for them, the work that goes into a flock, and yet that's what Jesus does for us daily. Margaret also visits a beekeeper, a vineyard, and a farmer on this journey of hers. Like I said -- it's a good book!

Anyway, I just want to close with Psalm 23. An old Psalm that many of us have heard and leave it as a reminder of what God has done for us (with my own emphasis added.)

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 leads me in paths of righteousness

for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley 

of the shadow of death,

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 goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.