I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary...I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. (10:11, 14)I'm drawn to the metaphors, particularly this one, that Jesus uses to describe Himself. It tells me who He is and what He's like. As the Good Shepherd, He cares for me, protects me, guides me, and even sacrifices Himself for me.
There are plenty of times in life when I sinfully feel like I can handle things on my own, but now is not one of those times. I need Jesus. I need Him to release His life through me. I'm discouraged by how I have responded (again) to recurring relational conflicts, and I can see the havoc that the spiritual battle is wreaking.
Jesus tells us that Satan is only there to steal and kill and destroy (10:10) and I know that in my weakness, I have been giving him a foothold in my heart. I have been falling back into old patterns. Like a dumb sheep, I have wandering into danger once again.
Yet David's Psalm reminds me of my faithful Jesus, my Good Shepherd, who leads me through every difficulty and provides all that I need through His grace and guidance. His love chases after me every day of my life, and I'm praising God for that amazing truth today.
God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life. (Psalm 23)
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