JESUS IS MY SHEPHERD!
JESUS IS MY SHEPHERD!
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. —Psalm 23
So now let us read it like this—
JESUS is my shepherd; I shall not want. JESUS makes me lie down in green pastures. JESUS leads me beside still waters. JESUS restores my soul. JESUS leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for JESUS is with me; JESUS’ rod and JESUS’ staff, they comfort me. JESUS prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies; JESUS anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of JESUS forever. —Psalm 23
Jesus is the one who looks after my life and I can trust Him fully. I will not be in want of anything because He will make sure my needs will be met to the point I shall not be in want. He provides the nutrition I need, my daily bread and his daily Word. He also quenches my thirst— both physically and spiritually. It is He who restores me when I fall down and cannot get up on my own. He lifts me up and helps me walk again. Jesus is the One who desires me to walk in righteousness to honor His Name. When the darkness of difficulty enters my life I need not be fearful because Jesus is there to protect and comfort me. Jesus blesses me, encourages me and gives me more than I need. I can depend on the goodness and mercy of Jesus all my life and one day I will be with Jesus forever.
I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” —John 10:7-11, 14-15, 27-30
Jesus is the only “gate” and His sheep enter through it. He gives discernment to understand those who would do harm and who not to listen to. Jesus is the only One who can save us from sin and to a relationship with Him. Again, Jesus will provide what we need and we shall not be in want. He desires us to live a full life and He has laid down His life for us to make that possible. So may we do so!
Now He desires us to have a communicative relationship with Him… to really know Him intimately as He does His Father and as His Father knows Him. We need to listen to Him and follow Him. He gives us eternal life and He protects us forever just as His Father does. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx9-LkuVWt4
Dear Father I am so grateful for this life You have given me. May I live faithfully for You and share this good news with others by the power of Your Spirit and in the authority of Jesus so they too may know the life Jesus gives. So may it be!