Our Good Shepherd

Jesus has many names, reflecting our rich, multifaceted relationship with Him. These are echoed in many of the worship songs we sing.

In Psalm 23, we read about the Lord, who is my Shepherd. Many of us know the words of the psalm very well, but there is great value in drawing closer to Him when meditating on them and letting His Word do its work in our souls.

When my husband died about six years ago, I received many lovely cards with beautiful messages, pictures, and bible verses. One suggested I read Psalm 23 daily for a month, which was practical in the early days of grief and adjusting to the loss.

Just resting in these beautiful verses became a way to rest in Him, finding peace and comfort in the presence of our Shepherd, Jesus.

There are many references to Jesus being our shepherd in the Old and New Testaments, which draw out the beautiful character of our shepherd.

In Genesis 48:15, as he blesses Joseph, Jacob, a key figure in the Old Testament, describes God as ‘the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day.’

King David in the Old Testament was described as a Shepherd of God’s people and a King.

Ezekiel describes how God’s appointed shepherd would gather up all the vulnerable sheep who had been scattered.

Isaiah describes God’s shepherd.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

(Isaiah 40:11 NIV)

Jesus descended from David, declared himself the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep by name and laid down his life for them.

In John’s gospel, He says:

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

(John 10:27)

When we listen to God, it is the voice of our shepherd we are listening to lead and guide. He is our guide as he walks before and follows behind as goodness and mercy all our lives. He is our rest and refreshment, to rejuvenate and strengthen us. He is our comfort when we walk through dark valleys of trouble, illness, or grief. He is our feast in the presence of our enemies. He anoints us with His Holy Spirit to overflow.

We can know the fullness of joy in his presence in this life, and we cannot comprehend what it will be like to be fully in his company when He comes for us and we see Him face to face.

Why don’t you try soaking in the words of Psalm 23 and enjoy drawing close to our Good Shepherd?