Jesus - "The Psalmist's Shepherd"

"The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],

I shall not want."

Psalm 23.1 // AMP

Don't take your eyes off the Good Shepherd.

You might be reading this filled with hope, joy, and all of the fun things in life that make us all smile. On the other spectrum, you may be reading this whilst filled with discouragement, disappointment, and a quite possibly a broken heart. Perhaps your heart, much like mine, has grown a few abs lately (so to speak) from all the working out its been doing over the years. Maybe your 'heart workout' has included it breaking over and over, being uncertain of the future, disappointed by a path you thought was of God but you found out right at the end that it wasn't God's plan at all... the list goes on. Maybe things that you thought were over or should be over have either circled back again or have seemingly stubbornly made camp in your life and you're done.

Wherever you're at, if it runs as deep as it can get when you're just 'done', then I know the last thing you want to hear is more encouragement. Trust me, I know.

I won't encourage you, then. I'll remind you of a few things that the Word of God has taught me, is teaching me, and things I've seen as God has applied His Word in my life through such seasons. The truth of the matter is that when you're done, nothing and noone can revive you but Jesus. It's a good thing that He walks with the people that have repented and chosen to follow in His path, right? (If you are reading this and you are not in relationship with Jesus, it's not too late to surrender your life to Him and start today).

If you can't see the Good Shepherd in front of you, He's probably right beside or right behind you.

Right-eo, let's get to the lessons. I've selected 4 of the ones that made the greatest impact. I've also selected 4 because if I wrote all of my lessons down, you'll miss a few birthdays trying to finish this post.

Lesson 1: Shepherds Move Around

I've always thought that shepherds always stayed in the front of the flock. They actually don't. They lead and guide the path from the front. They move among the flock, and stand at a distance sometimes. And oftentimes, I've learned that they lead from behind. This imagery is clear in the book of Exodus - God led the Israelites from in front of them, but He moved behind them and became the barrier between them and the Egyptians that sought to destroy them.

God is omnipresent, so I don't mean to say that He can only be in one place at a time. What I aim to do here is to encourage you to shift your perspective. In the times when you can't see Jesus leading from in front of you, He may be teaching or observing whilst standing beside you, gently guiding or fiercely protecting you from behind you, or faithfully carrying you when you can no longer go on.

Lesson 2: The Good Shepherd Gave His Live For His Sheep

In first Samuel 17, David states that when a lion or bear went after his sheep, he would go after it and kill it then return with his sheep. What more will Jesus do for you (and how much greater has He already done for you)?

In John 10 verse 15, Jesus says, "... I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep." Jesus died for His sheep. He also rose again for His sheep. There's no way He's going to abandon you now! Remembering this means that when you're feeling alone, discouraged, abandoned, and done, you know that all the lies of the enemy to discredit Jesus' character are just that - lies. Jesus gave His life for you. He makes intercession to the Father for you, He leads and guides you, and God's Holy Spirit dwells inside of the follower of Jesus (which means you are NEVER alone, forsaken, or forgotten).

Lesson 3: Shepherds Give Instructions, Not Explanations

This one stung (and still stings a little when all I want is an explanation). It's the good kind of sting - the sting you grow from, not the one that leaves you limping. Psalm 25 teaches us that God reserves His friendship (and secrets/secret counsel) for those who fear Him. It doesn't say that He will tell the people that walk in the fear of Lord everything. Abraham feared the Lord. God both told Him about His plans, and also gave Him instructions that required blind obedience. What does this mean for you and me? Well, it means that God's ways are higher than ours. It means He is sovereign, faithful, and trustworthy. It means that He requires us to follow Him even when it does not make sense (especially so). It also means that He might be waiting for us to put our emotions into submission to Him so that they no longer control us when He gives us the next set of instructions (or perhaps the explanation). It means we are to do what the Shepherd says - obey His commands, pick up our cross, follow Him, and endure to the end - paying any price necessary to follow Him. Ultimately, it means we are to fear the Lord and regard Him as holy and worthy of obeying, especially when the command does not come with an instruction manual. Note: if you don't have the fear of the Lord, pleaser ask God to give it to you; He is a generous Father and God.

Lesson 4: Worship Is Non-Negotiable

The book of Psalms is filled with songs of praise and songs of lamentations. One lesson I learn from David in the book of Psalms [who was once a shepherd himself] is that worship is a non-negotiable part of my walk with Jesus. David worshipped and turned to God when He felt God and when He didn't, when he experienced obvious favour from God and when he felt that God had abandoned him.

The dictionary defines worship as:

1. to honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power

2. to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

The bible (in some verses in the Amplified version) describes worship as (I paraphrase) prizing God above all else (that includes our pain and discomfort as well). I encourage you to take a note from David in the book of Psalms and worship in all circumstances. Worship in the good times, to build your discipline for the bad times. Subdue your flesh and worship in the bad times to keep your focus on God. As an integral part of your worship, remember to give thanks to God in all season.

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep" - John 10.11 [AMP]

Like I said earlier, when you're in the place of being done, the Word of God is the best tool to set you straight. His Word never returns void; it accomplishes what it has been set out to achieve. It is your only true weapon against the wiles of the enemy.

Let's practice this by reading Psalm 23 together:

Psalm 23:

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],I shall not want.

² He lets me lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.

³ He refreshes and restores my soul (life);He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

If you're reading this as someone who doesn't know Jesus, it's important for you to know that Jesus is the only way to God - the only door; the only ladder. He paid the price to save your life (the price you were meant to pay - death and God's wrath). He alone holds the keys to the door we're all looking for - the path to relationship with God and finding our purpose in Him. If you'd like a relationship with Jesus, you can start by approaching your Heavenly Father (Yahweh or God) and talking to Him (i.e. praying). You can pray to God for forgiveness, and ask for Jesus to be your Saviour. You can use your own words or the ones below:

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for creating me. I praise you for you are the only God. I admit I am a sinner, and I need You in my life. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, and that you died in my place and rose from the grave. Please be my Saviour.; I choose today to follow you. Heavenly Father, please forgive my sins. I surrender my old ways, and ask that You wash me clean and make me brand new in Jesus' name. I surrender my life to you. Please may You give me Your Holy Spirit so He may help me to follow You. I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus.

Amen."

Note:

The good news is that after you have accepted God's gift of eternal life and salvation through Jesus, you do not have to do this life alone. God gives you His Holy Spirit to help you, and transform you - this is the part where you surrender so He can do His work in you. His Holy Spirit is there to help, comfort, guide, teach, and so much more.

I hope you are encouraged. Keep reading Psalm 23 and other bible verses that encourage you. Read the Word in times of joy. Read the Word in times of discouragement. Read the Word and allow God to speak to you through it. I'll leave you with this - do not lose your faith in God (remember that it is impossible to please Him without faith).

God bless you! :)

Sincerely your,

Pamela.

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Jesus loves you, and He's coming back soon. Stay alert.