Don Fredenburg
Jim Tucker
H.E. 'Hub' Bowen
Mike Coble
Ron Bowen1/21/2018
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalms
23:1
This is one of the most beloved chapters in Psalms. The Lord is our shepherd, protecting us from harm. He knows each of us personally. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:14-15).
This verse isn't talking about our desires; it's talking about our necessities, like food, water, clothing, and shelter. The New Living Translation says; The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need".
Shepherd, in Hebrew, means "one who tends." The duties of a shepherd were as follows: In the morning, the shepherd would gather his flock from a fold or a penned area by calling to them and leading them to a pasture. He watched his flock, usually with the assistance of dogs and, should any sheep stray, he would search for it until he found it. He found water for them either from a running stream or at troughs attached to wells. In the evening, he brought them back to the fold, making sure that none of them were missing. He guarded the entrance of the fold throughout the night, sometimes by sleeping across it. The shepherd was required to be watchful and tender toward his sheep. "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arms, He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes" (Isaiah 40:11).
Christ is; Our Good Shepherd -- "I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). He is our Great Shepherd -- "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our LORD Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, (Hebrews 13:20). He is our Chief Shepherd -- "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:4).
We are easily enticed by Satan's lies. He wants us to leave the flock and enjoy the "pleasures" of the world. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:10-11).
Like a shepherd willingly dies for one of his lambs, Christ died for us so we might live eternally in the Kingdom of God. "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:17).
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
We are thine, thou dost befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
thou hast mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Written by: Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868
Devotional by: D. Cook
Oildale Church of Christ
