- “The LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I shall not want [lack].
- He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters [waters of rest].
- He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
- 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.
- You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6 (NKJV)
“For you were like sheep going astray but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 2:25 (NKJV)
• Jesus is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. He is the Shepherd of those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour.
- Jesus is the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
- Jesus knows who His and those are who are His know Him (John 10:14).
“Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
• Those who belong to Christ know what He wants, they can understand His language, they know His voice (John 10:3-5).
- If you have not acknowledged Him as your Lord and Saviour, you are not among His sheep yet.
- There are potential sheep that are yet to know they are His. They will eventually come to the fold anyway.
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 10:16 (NKJV)
• If you are His, you call on His name, then you must depart from iniquity–sin (2 Timothy 2:19).
- If you have come to Him, you have accepted Jesus as your Shepherd and Overseer of your soul, then you allow Him to lead you. Sheep follow the Shepherd wherever He leads or goes.
New Living Translation of the Bible renders Psalm 23 verse 1 thus:
“The LORD is my SHEPHERD; I HAVE ALL I NEED.”
• Jesus is all you need
- If you have Jesus, you have everything—there is no lack in Christ. In Him you have fulfilment and joy.
- Jesus takes His sheep where the pasture is green, that is, where the pasture is rich (Psalm 23:2).
- He leads them besides the still and quiet waters—the waters of rest (Revelation 7:17).
- Jesus knows where the grass, pasture is greener! If you allow Him to lead you, He will lead you there.
“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17 (NKJV)
• He knows the still waters, waters of rest, were you can find peace for your soul.
- At the rich pasture and the waters of rest, He refreshes and restores your soul, that is, He strengthens your soul (Psalm 23:3).
- You need to come to Him, submit to Him, that you may have rest for your soul.
• Characteristics Of A Good Shepherd:
- Features Or Qualities Of A Good Shepherd
~ A good shepherd feeds the sheep; he pastures the sheep 🐏 (John 10:3).
~ A good shepherd tends the sheep, takes care of the sheep 🐑 (John 10:13).
~ A good shepherd keeps company with the sheep. He is the companion of the sheep. He stays with the sheep 🐑. He spends a considerable amount of time with the sheep. He travels with the sheep 🐏 (John 10:4,5).
~ A good shepherd keeps the sheep; He is a keeper (John 18:11). He gives his life for the sheep, that is, He risks His life because of the sheep 🐑 (John 10:11). He is not afraid of the wolf 🐺 (John 10:12).
• The characteristics listed above are found in Jesus Christ. He possesses all the qualities and features of a good shepherd, thus He said, “I am the good Shepherd” (John 10:14).
- “But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
- “I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
- I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep and am known by My own.”
John 10:2,11,14 (NKJV)
- If you allow Jesus to shepherd you, these blessings will be yours:
~ You will not want or lack (Psalm 23:1).
~ He will lead you to green pastures and cause you to lie there. He will give you lasting blessings (Psalm 23:2).
~ He will take you to the waters of rest restores, strengthens, and renews your soul (Psalm 23:2).
~ He will lead you along the right path of righteousness, that is, guides you along the right path. He also will do things that bring honour to His name in your life (Psalm 23:3).
~ He will keep your company—He will not leave you in tribulations (Matthews 28:20).
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Isaiah 42:2 (NKJV)
- However, His rod and staff will comfort you.
~ Love chastises and love corrects (Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19).
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.”
Revelational 3:19 (NKJV)
~ When a sheep goes astray, a good shepherd brings such back to the fold through correction. Staff is for direction and rod for correction. - Take note:
~ He blesses you in the presence of your enemies and renders them powerless.
~ He honours you, anoints you with oil, and your cup overflows with blessings. To anoint means to fatten, to satisfy, make fat—be in abundance.
~ Then His goodness and mercy, that is, His love shall follow you, pursue you, all the days of your life. You dwell in His house forever.
• Jesus and His Sheep
- Jesus lives with His sheep. He lives on the inside of us in the person of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18,26; 16:13-15).
• Is Jesus your shepherd?
- Have you allowed Jesus in your life? Has He been leading you in all you do? Have you allowed Him to take the lead of your life?
- He stands at the door of your heart ❤️ knocking, waiting for you to open.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
- Have you submitted to Him totally? Have you been walking in the light of His Word?
- Have you been following Him, or you have strayed from Him?
- Take a step now, Jesus is waiting for you!
• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!