Jehovah-Rohi—The Lord is My Shepherd

My Bible, My Help, My Hope

Jehovah-Rohi-The Lord is My Shepherd

Introduction

Before I we go any further into this scripture, let me ask you, are you thankful to be in the presence of God today?

I believe today we have found ourselves in the presence of a shepherd.

Not just any shepherd, but the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is something deeply comforting about the image of the shepherd.

It evokes a sense of care, guidance, and protection.

It reminds us of our dependence on God, our need for His guidance, and the assurance of His presence.

Let us read the full Scripture passage:

Psalm 23 (ESV)

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 10:11–18 (ESV)

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

The Good Shepherd

During our daily lives, we often find ourselves seeking guidance.

We look for a guiding hand or a word that can lead us through the trials and tribulations of life.

This longing for guidance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to our humanity.

It is in this longing that we find the image of the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, who leads us with love, care, and wisdom.

The image of the Good Shepherd is not just a comforting metaphor.

It is a profound truth about the nature of our relationship with God.

As sheep, we are dependent on the shepherd.

We rely on him for our sustenance, our safety, and our direction.

This dependence is not a burden, but a blessing.

It is a reminder of our need for God and His unwavering commitment to us.

The Good Shepherd does not merely watch over us from a distance.

He walks with us, guiding us along the right paths.

He is not a distant figure, but a close companion.

He knows us intimately, just as a shepherd knows his sheep.

He knows our strengths and our weaknesses, our joys and our sorrows.

He understands our needs and desires, and He guides us with a wisdom that surpasses our understanding.

The Good Shepherd is not only our guide but also our protector.

He defends us against the dangers that threaten us.

He does not abandon us in times of danger but stands by us, ready to lay down His life for us.

His protection is not passive but active.

He does not merely shield us from harm but actively fights against the forces that seek to harm us.

The Good Shepherd is not just our protector but also our provider.

He leads us to green pastures and quiet waters, providing us with everything we need.

His provision is not limited to our physical needs but extends to our emotional and spiritual needs as well.

He refreshes our souls, filling us with peace, joy, and hope.

The Good Shepherd is not only our provider but also our savior.

He lays down His life for us, offering us salvation through His sacrifice.

His love for us is not conditional but unconditional.

He does not love us because of what we do or who we are, but because of who He is - our Good Shepherd.

He is guiding us, He is protecting us, He is providing for us, He loves us.

We are his sheep, and He is our Good Shepherd!

As long as we are in His hands, we lack nothing.

Dwelling in the Presence of the Shepherd

As we continue our reflection on the passages, we find ourselves drawn to the imagery of dwelling in the presence of the Shepherd.

The Psalmist declares, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

This is not a casual visit, or a fleeting encounter.

It's a permanent residence, a settled place.

It's a declaration of belonging, of being at home with the Shepherd.

This idea of dwelling is more than just a physical location.

It's a state of being a condition of the heart.

It speaks of an intimate relationship with the Shepherd, a deep connection that transcends the boundaries of time and space.

It's about being in His presence, living under His care, and enjoying His fellowship.

It's about knowing Him and being known by Him, loving Him and being loved by Him.

In John 10:14, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."

This mutual knowledge is not just intellectual or informational.

It's relational and experiential.

It's about sharing life together, walking together, learning together, growing together.

It's about trust, dependence, and surrender.

It's about listening to His voice, following His lead, and resting in His love.

The shepherd-sheep relationship is not a one-way street.

It's a two-way interaction.

The Shepherd provides, protects, and guides.

The sheep listen, follow, and trust.

The Shepherd knows the sheep.

The sheep know the Shepherd.

The Shepherd loves the sheep.

The sheep love the Shepherd.

Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."

The term "know" in John 10:14 is used in various contexts in the New Testament to denote different levels of knowledge.

In Matthew 7:23, Jesus uses it to refer to those who claim to know Him but live contrary to His teachings.

He says, "I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity!"

In this context, "Know” implies a lack of genuine relationship, a disconnect between profession and practice.

In contrast, in John 17:3, Jesus uses "Know” to describe the essence of eternal life.

He says, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

Here, "Know” signifies a deep, personal, experiential knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.

It's not just about knowing about God.

It's about knowing God, being in a relationship with Him, experiencing His love, grace, and truth.

In the context of John 10:14, "Know” underscores the depth and intimacy of the shepherd-sheep relationship.

It's not just about the Shepherd knowing the sheep.

It's also about the sheep knowing the Shepherd.

It's about a mutual, reciprocal, intimate knowledge that is rooted in love, trust, and commitment.

This knowledge is not static or stagnant.

It's dynamic and growing.

It's not just about knowing the Shepherd.

It's also about knowing His voice.

In John 10:4, Jesus says, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."

This knowledge of the Shepherd's voice is critical for the sheep's survival and well-being.

It's their lifeline, their guide, their assurance.

It's what enables them to follow the Shepherd, to stay close to Him, to stay safe from harm.

This knowledge of the Shepherd's voice is not automatic or instantaneous.

It's cultivated and developed over time.

It's a product of spending time with the Shepherd, listening to His words, observing His actions, experiencing His care.

It's about learning to discern His voice amidst the noise and distractions of the world.

It's about tuning in to His frequency, aligning with His rhythm, syncing with His heartbeat.

This knowledge of the Shepherd's voice is not just for the individual sheep.

It's for the entire flock.

In John 10:16, Jesus says, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."

This speaks of the inclusivity and universality of the Shepherd's call.

It's not limited to a particular group or category.

It's extended to all who are willing to listen, to respond, to follow.

It's about being part of a larger community, a global family, a universal fellowship.

In conclusion, dwelling in the presence of the Shepherd is about living in an intimate, dynamic, and transformative relationship with Him. It's about knowing Him and being known by Him, loving Him and being loved by Him. It's about listening to His voice, following His lead, and resting in His love. It's about being part of His flock, His family, His kingdom. It's about being at home with Him, now and forever.

Dependence on the Guiding Shepherd

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the richness of these passages, we find ourselves drawn to the image of the Good Shepherd.

This image, so beautifully depicted in the scriptures, is not merely a metaphor but a revelation of the very character of our Lord.

It speaks of His love, His care, His guidance, and His protection.

It is a reminder that we are His sheep, dependent on Him for everything.

The Good Shepherd, as we see in the scriptures, is not a distant, detached figure.

He is intimately involved in the lives of His sheep.

He knows them, cares for them, guides them, and protects them.

He is not just a provider but a protector, not just a guide but a guardian.

This is the essence of our dependence on the Good Shepherd.

Our dependence on the Good Shepherd is not a sign of weakness but a testament to His strength.

It is not a burden but a blessing.

It is not a constraint but a comfort.

It is not a limitation but a liberation.

It is not a hindrance but a help.

It is not a liability but a lifeline.

This is the first aspect of our dependence on the Good Shepherd that we need to understand and embrace.

This quote beautifully captures the second aspect of our dependence on the Good Shepherd.

He is our guide, leading us to green pastures and still waters.

He is our compass, directing us along the right paths.

He is our map, showing us the way to go.

He is our light, illuminating our path in the darkness.

He is our beacon, guiding us safely to our destination.

Our dependence on the Good Shepherd is not just about following His lead but trusting His guidance.

It is about having faith in His wisdom, confidence in His judgment, and assurance in His direction.

It is about believing that He knows what is best for us, even when we don't understand it.

It is about trusting that He will lead us to green pastures and still waters, even when we can't see them.

This is the second aspect of our dependence on the Good Shepherd that we need to understand and embrace.

The Good Shepherd, as we see in the scriptures, does not just lead His sheep but lays down His life for them.

He does not just guide them but guards them.

He does not just direct them but defends them.

He does not just show them the way but shields them from harm.

This is the third aspect of our dependence on the Good Shepherd that we need to understand and embrace.

Our dependence on the Good Shepherd is not just about trusting His guidance but relying on His protection.

It is about knowing that He is our shield and our defender, our fortress and our refuge, our protector and our preserver.

It is about believing that He will protect us from harm, even when we can't see the danger.

It is about trusting that He will defend us from our enemies, even when we can't fight them.

This is the third aspect of our dependence on the Good Shepherd that we need to understand and embrace.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, let us embrace our dependence on the Good Shepherd.

Let us trust His guidance, rely on His protection, and rest in His care.

Let us follow His lead, heed His voice, and walk in His ways.

Let us live as His sheep, under His watchful eye, in His loving care, and for His glory.

And let us remember, always, that we are in the hands of the Good Shepherd, and there is no better place to be.

Conclusion

As we close our time together today, let's take a moment to reflect on the image of our Lord as our Good Shepherd.

It's comforting, isn't it?

To know that we have a Shepherd who not only leads us to green pastures and quiet waters but also walks with us through the darkest valleys.

A Shepherd who knows us, who laid down His life for us, and who continues to guide us with His rod and staff.

Remember, my dear friends, we are not alone in this journey.

We have a Shepherd who cares for us, who protects us, and who loves us with an everlasting love.

He is not a hired hand who runs away at the first sign of trouble.

No, He is the Good Shepherd who stays, who fights for us, and who laid down His life for us.

So, as we go out into the world, let's carry this image with us.

Let's remember that we are the sheep of His pasture, loved and cared for by our Good Shepherd.

And let's strive to listen to His voice, to follow His lead, and to rest in His care.

Let's bow our heads for our closing prayer: