11/28/2021
Last week considering thanksgiving we looked at psalms 100 and a verse really hit home with me verse 3 says Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. We noted how the theology always leads us to worship and praise but one line in particular will bring us to our point of discussion “we are his people and the sheep of his pasture” So lest I keep you to long I wish to point you to a familiar passage psalms 23:1 the first half of the verse “the Lord is my shepherd” When I was a young child my grandfather had a farm with an assortment of animals the ones I remember most clearly is a calf. It amazed me the time, dedication, and effort it took to raise such an animal. This cow wasn’t just merely a cow but a baby calf. Every morning my grandfather would wake us up and let us ride with him on his tractor out to feed the calf. He would mix the milk into a bottle and call the calf by name and the calf seemed almost excited that he would quickly come knowing his owner was there to supply a need of his. He trusted him it was almost a sense of peace when my grandfather came around. Given that my sister and I were also very little around such a giant animal it gave comfort to us knowing that he was right there to protect us. They say there is no love like a grandparent’s love. I would have to say I agree with this statement. But when we look at psalms 23, we are reminded of a very important theological statement. The Lord IS MY Shepherd. Beloved how great it is to know God desires and even promises to have a personal relationship with his children. The same God which spoke the universe into existence, the same God that was with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Hosea, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc. is the SAME God that desires a personal relationship with you even to this day.
Secondly, note that it is a statement of personal fact. God IS MY shepherd. The psalmist isn’t making it a generalized statement. Rather beloved the Lord is the fullness of his deity is ours, we can talk to him, learn of and from him, seek after him, love him, etc. And this is possible because he is MY shepherd. I’ve found it to help in my struggle with unbelief when I stopped saying God as a general deity and started to realize the relationship, he has with us. So, the “our” turned into “my” When I feel discouraged, prideful, scared, happy, mad, exhausted, you name it the Lord is MY shepherd.
Lastly, as my Shepherd we are reminded of the vital role a shepherd plays in the lives of sheep. Without the shepherd the sheep fall prey to predators, the sheep wander into dangerous areas causing physical harm if not death, the sheep may starve to death, Sheep need someone to help steer them to keep them in line to lead them. Beloved praise be to God that’s what God does for us. A personal God who desires to know you and you to know him, who desires to lead you and steer you to the path of righteousness, who was willing to sacrifice his own life so you don’t have to fall prey to the enemy. A shepherd who loves you so much that he spends time with you and never leaves you.
Beloved one way we battle unbelief is to know whose we are and knowing whose you are trusting that as a good shepherd he will not lead you astray but rather wants what’s best for your life. Space won’t allow me to exhaust this verse the way I wish but I want to encourage you beloved Christ is our good shepherd and we are his. No matter what you are battling in life today know you are not alone we can run to God and trust that he cares for you and will guide you and protect you he will feed you and clothe you. Turn and trust in Christ and see the glory of God revealed. Grace and Peace to you all.
P.S. I’d like to add a couple names to the prayer list this morning if you will remember a young lady named Nikki who is going thru a rough time, keep Verlene in your prayers as well as brother Molt. For other prayer request please drop them in the comments or message me!!!
