Psa 23:1, …THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I SHALL NOT WANT.
In ancient times being called a shepherd was considered to be the lowest of the low. It was an abomination to the Egyptians to be known as a shepherd (Gen 46:34)!
YET, JESUS called himself “THE GOOD SHEPHERD”! The KING OF kings, the CREATOR of the universal willingly took this position because of HIS GREAT LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE!
Psa 23:2-3, He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Sheep do not lie down when they fear, when they feel anxiety or when they feel hungry! BUT, THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROVIDED EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED!
Isa 40:11, HE WILL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD; HE WILL GATHER THE LAMBS WITH HIS ARM, AND CARRY THEM IN HIS BOSOM, AND GENTLY LEAD THOSE WHO ARE WITH YOUNG.
Psa 23:4, 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.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD protected the sheep with HIS rod and guided them with HIS staff! Notice that we, the sheep, are WALKING THOUGH THE VALLEY NOT STAYING IN IT! Also notice it JUST A SHADOW; FOR JESUS TOOK THE STING OF DEATH ONTO HIMSELF!
Joh 10:11, “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVES HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.
Isa 53:6, ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY; WE HAVE TURNED, EVERY ONE, TO HIS OWN WAY; AND THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.
WITHOUT THE SHEPHERD WE ARE LOST IN OUR OWN SINS, LOST IN OUR OWN DEPRAVITY, CONDEMNED TO DEATH! YET WE HEARD HIS VOICE AND BELIEVED IN HIM! WE TOOK SHELTER IN HIM AND ARE DEPENDENT ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING! WE ARE HIS!
Joh 10:27, MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME.