Shepherds

Psalm 23:1-4 The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides the still waters.  He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Names sake.  Yea, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. 

Each Christmas we hear about the shepherds that were keeping their sheep when the angels appeared and brought them the good news of Christ's birth.  These were no ordinary shepherds but men who were tasked with watching over the flock whose lambs were used for sacrifice.  

I've been reading two books, one by David Roper called "The Song of a Passionate Heart Psalm 23" and another by Rick Renner called, "Christmas, the Rest of the Story"  In these two books I've been learning more about what a shepherd does and how much they care for the sheep.  It's been such a beautiful way to see Jesus anew.  

John 10:7-16 7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

He is our good shepherd who laid down His life for us.  But there is so much more a shepherd does for His sheep, that Jesus does for us.  

Isaiah 40:10-11  Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.  11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young. 

In David Roper's book, he described how a good shepherd knows each and every sheep.  He knows their personalities, their peculiarities, their pace...everything about them so that He can care for each as needed.  He knows who has to be carried, those that go at a slower pace because they have injuries.  The nursing Moms and the pushy bullies.  Those that are afraid and those that want to be out in front.  And like a shepherd with his flock, God knows each of us as well.  He knows our hurts and habits, our limitations and our strengths, and He works with us and in us accordingly.  He never pushes but gently leads us in paths of righteousness.  When needed, He carries each of us next to his heart.  

Shepherds led their sheep to rich pastures, protected waters, providing for their needs.  Their staff had a crook that could remove them from perilous situations and help keep them from wandering.  The rod, or club would be a weapon used against beasts who were dangerous to the sheep.  I wonder how many bad situations God has kept me from and how many battles He has fought on my behalf that I know nothing about.  And when I've strayed, just like a good shepherd God searches for me until I am found and brought back to the fold. 

Our heavenly Shepherd gentle, sweet, ferocious and protective.  Loving and strong.  Wise and patient.  He leads, cares for, loves and provides for His wayward and wandering flock.  What a beautiful blessing!  

Lord, thank You for being our good shepherd, the One who gives His life for us.  I am in awe of You, as always.  

Do some research on shepherds and see how much God cares for you.