The Good Shepherd

Throughout the years there have been those times when I have been called on to bring comfort at a most difficult time. One of those times was at the bedside of a dear friend who lay dying of cancer. He was unconscious and very near death as the family and I gathered around his bed. I could think of no better words of comfort than those written by David so many centuries ago, now found in Psalm 23. The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. The duties of a shepherd in the Middle East were very simple. At first light he would lead the flock from their fold, always marching ahead, leading and never driving them to the next pasture. When they would arrive, he would stand watch over them. His watch was two-fold. He carefully attended to them watching that none would stray into a dangerous area and he also watched the horizon for any danger creeping in from the perimeter. Wild animals and thieves were known to prowl the countryside looking for easy prey. All through the day, he would provide them with food and water to sustain them, protection to keep them safe, and guidance to keep them from losing their way. As the sun began to set, the shepherd would lead his flock to the safety of the fold once again. There he would remain guarding them through the darkness of the night. Perhaps you are not gathered around the bedside of a loved one today, but you are in need of the same kind of comfort that David and millions of others have found from this psalm today. Jesus is indeed our Good shepherd. He declares that truth: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” (John 10:11,14). Like David, turn to the Good Shepherd and allow Him to lead you to the green pastures and still waters of life. In his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning tells about an incident which took place one day when a two-story house caught on fire. The family was making its way out of the house when the smallest boy became terrified, tore away from his mother, and ran back upstairs. Suddenly, he appeared at a smoke-filled window crying hysterically. Standing outside, his father shouted, “Jump, son, jump! I will catch you." The boy cried, "But daddy, I can't see you.” "I know,” his father called. “But I can see you." That's really all that matters, isn't it? He can see us, even when we can’t see Him. He does lead us. Now, will you follow? Pray this morning… “Dear Father, my Good Shepherd, wherever you lead, I will follow. Today, I choose to trust in you.”