The Good Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your 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


I find it interesting that God is referred to as our shepherd.  I also find it very comforting.  A shepherd looks after a sheep, cares for it, provides for it, loves it. As our shepherd, God guides us and comforts us.  The other part of the analogy of God being our shepherd is us being the sheep.  There is probably no animal dumber than sheep.  They tend to wander off.  They get distracted very easily.  They don't know what's best for them, which is being under the care of their shepherd.


I found something else interesting in this Psalm.  "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me."  A shepherd's rod and staff are meant for discipline and correction.  


Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?  If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.  Hebrews 12:7-8


My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.  Proverbs 3:11-12


Discipline is good.  Sometimes the Shepherd has to prod us and make sure we are going where we are supposed to go.  He knows what's best for us.  We just need to trust Him and follow where His staff takes us.



Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.  Luke 15:1-7


Every one of us is a lost sheep or has been a lost sheep.  Even when we as sheep wonder off because of our stupidity, poor judgment, horrible decisions, and our pride and self-righteousness, he comes after us.  When we reject Him as our Shepherd, He still pursues us.  He will stop at nothing until he finds us.  And when He does, He picks us up on His shoulders and will carry us home to be with Him forever.