Tuesday, November 25, 2014

November 26, 2014

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides 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 love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:1-6
It's great to have a Good Shepherd!
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to the testimony of a grateful sheep! That's what the 23rd Psalm is!
After rejoicing in the knowledge that the Lord is His Shepherd Who meets all his needs, the sheep gives some examples to support his claim.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."
How does the Good Shepherd supply the needs of His satisfied sheep?
"He makes me lie down in green pastures......"
A sheep will only lie down if it feels completely safe and satisfied. A Good Shepherd knows that and leads his sheep to lush meadows where they can graze to their heart's content.
".....He leads me beside still waters....."
Sheep are terrified of running water. They won't go to drink from a stream if there are rapids or currents flowing. 
When you look at a sheep with a full coat of wool, with their spindly little legs, they are top heavy. Should a sheep tumble into the moving current of a stream it is unable to swim and its saturated coat of wool would pull it under the water.
The Good Shepherd is aware of the fears of His sheep and leads them only to a pond where the waters are cool and quiet.
"....He restores my soul."
A safe, secure and satisfied sheep will find his soul and spirit restored! This reminds me of Isaiah 40:29-31:
"He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 
Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;
31 
but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

What a Shepherd! I am so thankful to have such a Good Shepherd!