Today is the day the Lord has made…
I will rejoice today because the Lord is my shepherd. Most of us do not live in agricultural surroundings, so it is easy to miss the spiritual nuances of the many sheep and shepherd analogies in the Bible. Some people even take exception at being likened to sheep, but unfortunately we are like sheep. We are easily led this way and that. We need a shepherd to love and take care of us.
Psalm 23 starts with “The Lord is my shepherd…” and continues to tell us why this is a good thing. The author which is King David brings insight to this passage because he was once a shepherd himself. Each verse invokes images of how God cares for us. God makes sure we never lack for anything we need. He provides rest, guidance, goodness, abundance, and love. He is always with us even during severe trials, including death.
The first part of John 10 further describes that a good shepherd not only guards and protects, but is willing to lay down his life for his sheep which is exactly what Jesus did for us. As God’s spiritual sheep we enjoy added blessings because He wants us to have an abundant life (John 10:10).
Being a sheep isn’t so bad if you have a Good Shepherd to take care of you…and we do!
“The Lord is my shepherd…” ~Psalm 23:1
