Recently, a colleague in ministry asked me what it means to have a good shepherd. The church where I lead worship has just completed a series of sermons on the 23rd Psalm. This past week, I shared these thoughts with the congregation that attends the service I lead, so I thought I would also share them with you. I trust that these thoughts from a sheep who gets scared, seldom knows which way to go, and is always in need of rescue, will encourage you as you journey at the side of the Good Shepherd.
What does it mean to have a Good Shepherd?
Having a Good Shepherd means that we, as our vulnerable selves, can stand against the forces that aim to destroy us. These forces include sickness death, oppression, spiritual attack, prejudice, and injustice.
God as our Good Shepherd provides us with all that we need to live in health, freedom, and truth with victory, and for eternity.
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.
Psalm 23 tells us that we do not lack protection, strength, or comfort because the Good Shepherd provides them. He knows where we can find nourishment. He makes sure we have a place to rest. He keeps us walking in the ways of truth.
He restores my soul.
When destructive forces invade our lives, the Good Shepherd rescues. He offers healing and restoration. When all looks lost, the Good Shepherd saves. He is the Redeemer, and He makes all things new.
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.
Talent, accomplishments, reputation, possessions, or physical comforts offer no consolation. These things do nothing to calm fear when we journey in the dark. The only source of peace that can be found is in the knowledge that God is there. God is present in our darkest hours. When we can’t see Him, we can rest in the truth that He stands very near, holding each of us close, and holding us steady.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
When prejudice or injustice appear to have more influence over the direction of our lives than God’s plan for us does, He as the Good Shepherd honors us, and he favors us. On the battlefield where conflict rules, the Good Shepherd invites us to a table, in full view of the enemy, and satisfies us with all the comforts of home. He gives love, nourishment, belonging, and rest so that we might have the strength to continue in the fight.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The journey with the Good Shepherd is one of identity based on grace. The first three verses of Psalm 23 talk about the Shepherd in third person, as though telling of His gracious attributes. He deals gently with His flock. He provides, comforts, and heals.
Starting in verse 4, the Psalm changes to referencing the shepherd as “you.” Now the Psalm is no longer talking about God, but talking to God. It is a much more intimate explanation of the Good Shepherd because the person tended by this shepherd finds their whole sense of who they are in this careful nurturing.
We can say the same thing. Because the Good Shepherd is gentle, provides for us, comforts, feeds, and heals us, we are ones who walk with no fear. We are favored and we belong. We are loved by the perfect, all wise shepherd who has promised us an eternal home with him in heaven forever. We are content, and we are willing to wait on Him.
In my work with the early service at the church where I lead worship, I’ve been guiding the congregation in the memorization of valuable supports to the Christian faith as found in Psalm 23, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Jesus Prayer. As part of the memorization process, I’ve developed some tools to retain information. I’ve been sharing them with the congregation during the month of July, so I thought I would share them with you in today’s blog post.