The Sheep and the Shepherd

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The first scripture I memorized from God's word was the 23^rd Psalm. It was written by the person whom God described as "the man after His own heart." The second verse I memorized was John 3:16 but the 23^rd Psalm has been my comfort through my trials no matter how severe they have been. Through times of great need my Shepherd has always managed to meet my needs. When I didn't know where I would find a place to rest my head my Shepherd found me that place and in the times when I walked through the valley of the shadow of death my Shepherd was right by my side.

My Shepherd was with me after I suffered a major stroke. I lay strapped to a bed in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital for six days and nights out of my mind not knowing who or where I was. The doctors told my wife they had done all they could and if I ever came out of the stroke I would probably be a vegetable. The first thing I remember was opening my eyes, seeing my wife holding my hand and she was praying. It was the 23rd Psalm that was going through my mind and I knew my Shepherd was there.

I know my Shepherd has walked by my side all the days of my life, even those days I was trying not to walk with Him! And I know when my appointed time on this earth is over I shall "Dwell in the house of the Lord forever!"

There are those in today's world who don't like to be referred to as sheep and many who reject completely the fact that God has any control over their lives --- which just goes to prove the point of how closely we resemble sheep. Most sheep farmers today have developed "leader sheep" instead of using shepherds. The flock will follow the leader sheep even to the point that if the leader goes off a cliff the rest will follow. This mirrors in my mind mankind today --- instead of following our true Shepherd we have chosen leaders to follow. False Christ and prophets have arisen and are leading the people astray. Many false doctrines have arisen to deceive those who instead of standing for God's truth have fallen for Satan's lies.

John 10:24-29 KJV

²⁴Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, how long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
²⁶But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

As by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and the curse of sin fell on all mankind so by one man (Jesus), who gave up His throne in heaven to come and live among His creation to offer the perfect sacrifice as the spotless Lamb. By His sacrifice the curse of sin was lifted for all that by faith would accept Him.

John 6:28-29 KJV

²⁸Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
²⁹Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is by listening and responding to Jesus' voice as the sheep listen and respond to their shepherd that we as the sheep of His pasture learn how to come to a two-way relationship with our Shepherd. Knowing our Shepherd is to know God. If what you have is a 'religion' then you don't know Jesus. To know Jesus is to have a relationship with Him and when you have that relationship you will be comforted and protected and will have all your needs, not necessarily wants, met. It's in having that relationship that you learn how much you are loved.

You and I were created to glorify God. In order to do that we must learn how to listen and follow where He leads us. We must have a desire to know Jesus. This relationship begins when we by faith accept His sacrifice for us and let the Holy Spirit sit on the throne of our heart. When we surrender our hearts it becomes the Holy Spirit's task to lead us into all truth. All the answers we seek can be found in God's word as we seek to know His will for our lives. For me praying or talking to Him before and after I read His word brings me to the point where I listen for His voice. As you develop your relationship you will recognize more clearly His directions.

If you have found the true Shepherd then do whatever it takes to have that close relationship with Him for only He can lead you down the path that will lead to an abundant life here on this earth and better yet an eternal life in heaven.

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