“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2)
We have a Shepherd who guides us, and He has the authority to give us direction because He brought us out of slavery to our sins. His authority over us is shaped by affection and attention.
King David knew about shepherding because he tended sheep for years. As the king of Israel, he reflected on his experience in the fields and compared his work as an attentive shepherd to God’s ownership and care for His people.
King David recounts what good shepherds do:
1. A GOOD SHEPHERD HELPS PEOPLE TO EAT GOOD GREEN GRASS.
It is so important to place a high priority and emphasis to teach the whole counsel of God. Being led into green pastures is significant; maybe that’s why David listed it first.
2. A GOOD SHEPHERD LEADS HIS FLOCK BESIDE STILL WATERS.
A flock needs to be led into times of refreshment and rest. We need to have regular intervals of waiting upon the Lord and being refreshed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. A GOOD SHEPHERD HELPS RESTORE PEOPLE’S SOULS.
That may mean effectively counseling those who need restoration. Shepherds would be willing to stoop down and pick up a lamb that had broken a leg and to place that lamb upon his shoulders.
4. A GOOD SHEPHERD LEADS PEOPLE IN PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
He points the way and then leads the people. Shepherds say. “This is the way,” and then they begin to walk in it and the flock follows.
5. A GOOD SHEPHERD WILL DWELL WITH HIS FLOCK IN UNITY.
Shepherds took time to learn and understand their flock. Just the voice of the shepherd was enough to distinguish who they would follow.
6. A GOOD SHEPHERD PRESENTS THE GOSPEL OFTEN.
So people can be assured they will be with Jesus, in His presence, forever.
Shepherd is there to pour his life into his sheep and perhaps even die for them.
