THE SHEPHERD OFTHE RIGHTEOUS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 22, 2023.

SUBJECT : THE SHEPHERD OFTHE RIGHTEOUS!

Memory verse: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 23 vs 1 - 6:

23:1: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

23:2: He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 23:3: He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. 

23:4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

23:5: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 

23:6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

INTIMATION:

The Lord is the shepherd of the righteous. The Scripture in the 'New Testament' calls Jesus the good shepherd (John 10 vs 11); the great shepherd (Hebrews 13 vs 20); and the chief shepherd ( First Peter 5 vs 4). When one submits to the shepherding of God, he trusts that God will provide all that is necessary for survival. Because of the Lord’s care over us, we are satisfied with the spiritual food that comes from Him, and thus we take our rest in the shadow of His care. The righteous know their God, and He leads them according to His will to places of security. 

Jesus is the good Shepherd, who tends to us—His sheep—out of love, and is committed to us, even to the extent of laying His life for us. As the Lord is a good shepherd, so we are His sheep; not frightened and passive, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right places and right ways. As calm waters naturally soothe one’s mind in times of trouble, so God takes us to places where the turmoil of life can be endured. By the calm waters our inner man is renewed and refreshed. 

The Lord leads us down paths that take us to that which is good for us. The two significant results of the death and resurrection of our Messiah, Jesus Christ, our great Shepherd, is found in His work in us to make us the kind of people that would please Him, and He equips us to do the kind of work that would please Him. Consequently, 'He restores our souls, and leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake: "Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway." (Psalm 85 vs 13.) He does this in order that His name be glorified among the nations. He is holy, and therefore, desires that His people be holy. 

We can trust that God will always meet the needs of the righteous. Whatever they need on earth He will supply, even if it is the courage to face death. Whatever they need in heaven He will supply. The psalm we read today is probably the most quoted of all the psalms simply because in a few words it portrays the life of the righteous. Though the righteous must live in a world that is plagued with suffering and turmoil, they must put their faith in God as they struggle through life. The psalm is a sublime utterance of those who are focused on staying close to God.

God has complete ability to meet our needs. Just as the sheep is dependent on the shepherd to meet its needs, so are we to our Father in heaven. He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep (flock). The sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting His provision and power to live for Him.

When we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. He knows the "green pastures" and "still waters" that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following Him obediently. Rebelling against the shepherd's leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. God works in us to make us the kind of people that would please Him, and if you are obedient, you will eat the fruit of the land: "For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7 vs 17).

Even in death, He is with us. Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with other enemies; pain, suffering, disease, injury, but strength and courage cannot overcome death. It has the final word. Only God—the God of life—our shepherd, can walk us through death's dark valley and bring us safely to the other side, and ensures our eternal comfort amidst life's uncertainties. God offers protection even when enemies surround us, and believers will dwell with God. 

The perfect shepherd and host, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into His house forever. The psalmist says, "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon the rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me..." (Psalm 27 vs 4 - 6.)

Prayer: Abba Father, in You I live, and move, and have my being. You are my strong tower, I run into You and am saved. Give me the grace to hear Your voice and follow You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!