The Essence of the Good Shepherd (Part 2)

Hi everyone,

Last time, I looked at Psalm 23:1-3 in addressing the essence of the Good Shepherd. I explained how the Good Shepherd who is Jesus refreshes the sheep by leading them through the paths He had walked, which are the paths of righteousness and uprightness, thus bringing them up to speed in truly walking by the Spirit and not just living by the Spirit alone. In this write-up, I would continue from verse 4 of Psalm 23.

In the last write-up, we now understand how the Good Shepherd intends for the sheep to walk the right paths as He guides them, but are all paths friendly? Verse 4 says, “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.” AMP. There are times in our lives where our paths lead to unpleasant places, where some could be dangerous, they could include trials of all sorts, it is the time to take charge, but not on your own, remember the Good Shepherd is always there.

Jesus said in John 10:11, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” AMP. The Good Shepherd goes through every means to protect the sheep, which is why the rod is there to protect when danger comes and the staff for guidance. Everyone irrespective of where you abide whether in Christ or not go through trying times, but it is your foundation that determines everything. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus spoke of two houses (representing people), most likely of the same kind who faced serious trials and storms in their lives, after the storm, one collapsed while the other stood firm, it was their foundation that stood strong for them; the one who stood was founded on the rock while the other was built on sand. Many times when we face trials, we may feel it is something we can handle where Jesus the Good Shepherd is calling you into His fold for safety and protection, which was what He did for the sheep and what He still does till today.

The Good Shepherd guides us when we fear when we face trials by encouraging us, this is what His staff is used for. It is in this trust and confidence that we have in the Good Shepherd that we fear no evil. As verse 5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.” AMP. The Good Shepherd assures us of never leaving us nor forsaking us as He encourages us through the anointing of oil on our head which gives us enthusiasm. He makes us so relaxed that He set a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Why? It is because we have trust and confidence in the Good Shepherd that we are always protected as His rod is there for our protection and His staff for our guidance. The evil one knows that to attack any of the sheep is to attack Him, and they know who He is and they there not challenge Him. This is the trust we are to have in the Good Shepherd.

Finally, Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” AMP. The last verse shows what we would gain. Goodness, mercy and unfailing love would follow us all the days of our lives and this is the height of the Good Shepherd’s unfailing love towards the sheep. We must always understand that the Good Shepherd speaks for the sheep and once we have an excellent person before God Almighty as our shepherd we are sure to be in safe hands and are excellent and perfect before the eyes of God, just because of the Good Shepherd.

May the LORD bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you. May the LORD be gracious to you and lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. AMEN.

                    

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

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GOD BLESS YOU.

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Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are gotten from New King James Version (NKJV)