by Samantha Thrash

Psalm 23:1 – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The Nature of the Shepherd

The nature of a shepherd was to oversee, protect, guide, train, and, when necessary, break the flock as a whole or individually. He had to be wise and tactful. He had to be strong and brave. At the click of his voice, the herd would move. He had the ability to alert or ease his sheep. Ultimately, he knew when the herd needed new ground to graze on.

He knew when wolves, lions, or bears were nearby, and he had already taken measures to protect his sheep. Not once would he let his sheep go hungry or willfully be hunted by wolves. He was not cruel or neglectful by any means. Certainly, some sheep wandered looking for greener grass as they felt led, inevitably finding themselves lost and separated from the fold. Although those sheep are at fault, the shepherd is prepared to leave the 99 in search of even 1.

The Nature of Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ

Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is the same.

He protects, guides, trains, and oversees us in a personal relationship. Our Shepherd can be known and wants to know each of us. He formed us as we were knit together in our mother’s womb and wills for us to be saved. So, as faithful sheep, we must allow His voice to guide us and His spirit to nurture our souls.

God says He will never leave us, so any distance is not His doing. At times, He can break us as a form of mercy; leading us back to the sheepfold. The breaking, induced by backsliding or lack of growth, is never meant as punishment. His rod of correction comes with an unlimited amount of
mercy. His anger only lasts a moment, but His mercy endures forever.

In Him, we have every good gift. He is not a cold or harsh father, but rather a very compassionate one, longing to give to His children any and everything they need! He is able and willing to heal the broken heart, mend relationships, restore finances, perform physical and spiritual
miracles, fight every battle, and crown you with His glory.

Reflection

Honestly reflect on your view of the Lord; the Shepherd of your soul. What lies, if any, are you listening to? Have you questioned God’s goodness in your life? Are you dealing with a situation and feel abandoned or hurt?
Have you strayed from the flock, or the Lord? If so, could this distance be the cause of the lies? Could the distance be producing feelings of abandonment?

Remember, even when we stray (emotionally or spiritually) the Shepherd’s role is to find us and bring us back. Stop going where you are going.

Don’t take another step.

Call out to the Lord.

Turn around.

Draw nigh to God because, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).