Bible Reading: Psalm 80
“Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth” – Psalm 80:1(KJV)
Our Saviour and Redeemer is the true shepherd of his flock. The scriptures present God in the passage of today as the Shepherd of Israel. Our Father God is truly the shepherd of his people. Jesus in further confirmation of his shepherdly disposition made this profound statement in John 10:11(KJV), “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” The scripture says in “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6(KJV). The shepherd plays very important role in the wellbeing of his flock. The shepherd leads the sheep. He directs and leads the flock away from danger to safety. The shepherd knows the routes of wild animals so he leads his sheep away from their route. He leads the sheep to the green pasture, “He maketh me to lie down in green pasture: he leadeth me beside the still waters” –Psalm 23:2(KJV). The good shepherd provides for, and protects, his sheep. He satisfies their hunger and want. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” – Psalm 23:2(KJV). This is a statement of trust and confidence. When God leads he provides and protects. Being led beside the still waters is a symbolic representation of peace. “And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” Isaiah 32:18(KJV). This is a promise of firm security which the LORD, our great shepherd has made to us; hence he is the good shepherd. Jesus our redeemer laid down his life for us the sheep so that we can confidently and comfortably graze in the field of life unmolested. The shepherd provides comfort for the sheep, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” -Psalm 23:4(KJV). Here the ‘rod’ and ‘staff’ represents the Word and the Holy Spirit. In John 6:63b(KJV) Jesus said concerning the Word “..the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”. Concerning the Holy Spirit Jesus said in John 14:16,26(KJV) “And I will pray the Father, and he will send you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever,,,,,,But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom my Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, ………” From the above we can see that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ fits in perfectly as the shepherd of our soul, for he has made provision for all our needs (Philippians 4:19), He has also empowered us above all the powers of the enemy (Luke 10:19) and finally he has endowed us with his righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21)
Our Lord’s proclamation of his being the good shepherd is incontestable and is consistent with the scriptures, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of my mine” – John 10:14(KJV). He is truly the good shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. Have you reciprocated that love? He paid the ultimate price to give you a hope and a future. He died to ensure your safety in the journey of life. Will you continue to despise and reject such a great love?
Prayer: My father and my God I seek your grace to carry me through my life journey in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo