The Shepherd and sheep

Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)

"The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Another Bible translation reads, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need." (Psalm 23:1 NLT). Most of the times, sheep are portrayed as these animals who would be completely lost if not for a shepherd. I remember watching some cartoons as a kid and sheep were always portrayed as these helpless animals. And yet for some reason, God chose sheep as the animals that would depict the relationship between mankind and Jesus, as the Chief Shepherd. It appears that what is portrayed as a weakness in the nature of sheep is the very source of their strength because they are yielded and submitted to the Shepherd. The sheep trust the Shepherd's heart to lead and guide them along the right paths for their benefit.

Another thing to note is sheep do not have their own will because they are one with the Shepherd's will. Psalm 23:2 continues to speak of the Shepherd leading the sheep and says, "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." The great Shepherd who is Jesus Christ leads His sheep to still waters which are a place of refreshing, redemption, healing, rest, peace and strength.

In the garden of Eden, when the fall of man happened in chapter 3 when the enemy introduced sin into the world, sin snatched God's creation away from His presence and communion with Him. As a result, God in His infinite wisdom decided that this would not happen again which is the reason He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world. When you receive salvaiton and become born again, Jesus redeems your soul from the bondage of the enemy as He becomes the Chief Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (1 Peter 2:25). After He does this, He also re assures you that as one who is part of His sheepfold, nothing will snatch you away from God's presence as was the case in the garden of Eden. That is, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28). Friend, you are safe in God's salvation that is found in Christ and this is the perfect love that casts away fear (1 John 4:18).

I'll end with this Word found in 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

"Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to know God as Your Father where you become His child and restored into fellowship with Him through a personal relationship with His One and Beloved Son, Jesus where your sins are forgiven - I invite you to say this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, YOU'VE BEEN REDEEMED by the precious blood of Jesus. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen. In case you do not already, please join a church community and get water baptized!