One of my favorite jobs that I have had in my lifetime is a laborer on a pig farm. It was a surprisingly tedious task. Twice a day, I would walk through each of our 5 long barns which housed over 500 pigs each to ensure the feeders were clean and flowing properly. Another portion was designated to the vaccination to ensure the health of the pigs while still another was designated to cull the weak and sick pigs from the healthy ones. While reflecting on this, I can only imagine what it must have been like for the shepherds during the Bible times. In one of the most beloved Psalms, a most elegant picture is painted which even today is one of the most cherished images we have of God. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1) Jehovah-Roi (Rohi, Raah) – The Lord your Shepherd. I like that meaning. He is a shepherd. He is not the shepherd. He is YOUR shepherd. Each one of us, no matter where we are in this world, has a personal relationship as a sheep with a shepherd. Like a shepherd would know his sheep by name, our Shepherd knows us by name. Oh the Bible is filled with such beautiful pictures describing to us in vivid details what that means to us. From the very verses of the 23rd Psalm to the life-changing truths of Jesus’s parable, a picture is painted for our viewing pleasure the beauty of our relationship with God, a relationship of a sheep and a shepherd. In the very first verse of Psalm 23, we read that your Shepherd provides. In the dry spells of life, when the grass seemingly withers and the waters seem stagnant and tasteless, He calls us to follow, for where He leads, the grass is greener and the water is fresher. When in our relationship our Shepherd provides for us, we find ourselves needing little but blessed beyond all measure. In the 2nd verse, we find that our Shepherd offers to us peace. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2) In the wake of life’s storms and we can lie down safely in to his fold knowing that His very touch and His very voice calms our soul in the midst of the tempestuous winds. Only in our relationship with Him can we find quiet rest. Only in Him can lie down in peace, quiet and restful peace. He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom nd gently lead those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:11) How beautiful that picture of Him gathering us into His arms, carrying us, and gently leading us. Heed the words of Jesus as He invites us to “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) In the first part of the third verse, we see the power of the Shepherd. He restores my soul…. (Psalm 23:3a) As we thrust our weary and tired souls into the comforting arms of our Shepherd, He wraps us tightly to His bosom of love and blankets us with His strength and His grace. In His arms we find restoration, revitalization, and recharging for our souls. In the second part of Psalm 23:3, we find His purpose. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3b) Let Him guide you through those winding roads where beyond every curve lies the unknown. Do not rely on your own misunderstandings or through your own finite knowledge, but simply thrust your faith into the perfect will of God and trust His infinite wisdom to lead you through. It is only in the safety of His arms and in the realms of His will that peace can be found. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6) How reassuring to know that if we simply trust Him and let Him, He will guide us. It is that guidance and the seeking of His purpose for our lives which smoothly leads us to His protection found in the 4th verse. Yea, 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. (Psalm 23:4) In the face of roaring lions, arrogant giants, raging seas, and ravenous wolves, our Shepherd protects us. Though we walk through valleys, He leads us to mountaintops. Though we are surrounded by tempestuous winds on the wild seas, He leads us to the safety of dry land. Though Satan lays his traps beneath our every steps, our Shepherd frees us from those dangerous snares. My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. (Psalm 25:15). There is another more beautiful picture painted of the protection of the shepherd is how far he will go for that sheep. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? (Matthew 18:12) A shepherd loves His sheep to the point that when the sheep strays from the safety of His fold, he will go through any means necessary to find and return that sheep to the safety of the fold. Any means necessary? Yes, He, our Shepherd (Christ) went through any means (the cross) necessary to provide a means (salvation) for His sheep (us) to return to the safety of His fold (His mercy and His grace). And then we come to the close of that widely adored Psalm which now paints the picture of the prosperity that our Shepherd gives to us, His sheep. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:5,6) The offerings and all the enticing of this world far outweigh the generous care of our providing Shepherd who prospers us and enables us to victory. Each day with the Shepherd is a new day of blessings. Our greatest reward is still to come. When we cross life’s final phase and cross the threshold of death, we will enter safely into that eternal fold never to worry about arrogant roaring lions, arrogant giants, raging seas, and ravenous wolves again and forever. That fold so meticulously and lovingly prepared for each one of us. Its beauty far outshines the sun that rises and sets. Like sheep dependent on the shepherd, may we trust Him, rely on Him, and allow Him to lead us through the cares and the problems of this world until the blessed day arrives when we forever embrace and enjoy the presence of the Good Shepherd.
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