Both the old and new testaments include images of God as a shepherd. It's a beautiful image that should inspire us to believe, trust and love God deeply. Psalm 23 is one of the most popular.
I
The LORD (1) is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack. (2)
2 In green pastures He makes me lie down;
to still waters He leads me;
3 He restores my soul (3).
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of His name (4).
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear (5) no evil (6), for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
II
5 You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me (7)
all the days of my life (8);
I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for endless days.
5 You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me (7)
all the days of my life (8);
I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for endless days.
(1) "LORD". God. more specifically, God in the person of God the Father.
(2) God created me with everything that I need to believe in God faithfully, trusting God and loving God, and the rest of God's creation and creatures.
(3) restores: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state. renew.
(4) Righteousness belongs to God alone. It's Jesus' sacrifice alone that makes us sinners right and acceptable to God.
(5) In Matthew 10 28-31 Jesus. God in the person of the Father's only Son. Jesus tells us not to fear anything.
(6) In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus warns His followers about the hypocrisy of scribes and pharisees. He tells his disciples that they must realize the difference between church, which is a human institution, and God.
(7) mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within One's power to punish or harm.
(8) In John chapters 14 through 16 Jesus promises His apostles that He will send the Paraclete, God in the person of the Holy Spirit, as Advocate and Comforter.
God loves His children deeply. With God as our Father there is nothing that we lack. Father God provides everything that we need.
He restores our souls. He guides us (if we allow Him to do so). He protects us from our enemies.
Our cups overflow. God's goodness and mercy pursue us all the days of our lives. We will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Our shepherd God loves us. He will provide for and guide us, restore our souls, protect us from our enemies, shower us with goodness and mercy and promise to be with us forever as long as we believe in Him, follow Him and trust Him with all of our heart, soul and mind, and love Him deeply all the days of our lives.
attribution: Sharon Tate Soberon and flickr
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