My life with the Shepherd

What I need?

Psalm 23:1–2 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.”

Why do we need a Shepherd? Can we not make our own choices, make a living for ourselves, take care of others, or do the task at hand? We are like lost sheep, or for better words we are like dumb lost sheep. We may know of the things that we can see, but we know nothing of the things we can’t see. Our shepherd is always watching out for us, keeping us out of harms way, or at bringing us back to the herd. What are some other things that a shepherd, your parents, your teachers, or your pastors do to try and protect you?

His Name!

Psalm 23:3–4 “3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”

In the book of James, he tell us that we will face trials of many kind. Is it not a great comfort that even thou we face these trials, that we do not face them alone or even without protection!! I can assure you that the Holy Spirit does walk with you just as the Prophets, the Disciples, and Jesus Christ himself stated. If we abide in Him and then He will abide in us! We may look at this passage and think oh wow this is so nice and uplifting. Well you got a small portion of this text. It is more than just comforting, it is a Promise from God! We see this in more detail in John 10:1–18

John 10:1–18 CSB

1 “Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about 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. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

The House of the Lord

Psalm 23:5–6 “5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”

The Idea that we would have to eat with our enemies, to was a strange thing to hear the first time I heard these verses, but now that picture is a little more clearer. Christ gave us two commandments that are the greatest of all. The first is to Love the Lord our God with all of our mind, heart, soul, and strength. The second was to Love your neighbor as yourself.