Isaiah 40:11 shows us a perfect example of a shepherd: “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.”
When I was little I had a picture hanging on my bedroom wall of Jesus standing by a creek holding a lamb in one hand and his staff in the other. I would stare at that picture for many hours transfixed on its meaning. As a child I could not comprehend the magnitude of having someone caring for me that I could not visibly see.
In church I would hear the scriptures of Jesus stating He was the Good Shepherd and we are his sheep. How can a human life transform into a sheep? How can we depend on a Good Shepherd to care for us? Many questions plagued my mind as I was growing, and I kept searching for the answers. That is why I left my faith and started visiting other churches and religions to see if they knew the secret of the Good Shepherd.
I was thirty years old when I finally found The Good Shepherd. Little by little he revealed to me his perfect love and redemption. I then knew what a sheep had meant to Him alone. I am so happy to be called a sheep. My life has been a series of wanderings until the Shepherd came and rescued me. He lifted me up and placed me around His neck to still my roaming spirit. He placed me into his pasture of righteousness and will watch me closely so that I will never again stray.
David wrote a song to the Lord his shepherd. His heart cried out in love for the Lord and his divine protection for David. The 23rd Psalm is so well known among all faiths. Today I would like to take the liberty to change the words of the Psalm into a Christians Prayer of Affirmation.
A Psalm of all Christians: “Jesus is my Good Shepherd; I have no need for any other. He will take care of me and give me His perfect peace He lets me drink from His waters where I will thirst no more. He restored me totally in Him He taught me to walk on the narrow path of righteousness. It is because He is my shepherd That I am able to face all the trials in my life And I will lean on His name and not be afraid It is the name of Jesus as my Shepherd that comforts my soul. His rod and staff will keep me near Him at all times And will bless me when I am confronted for His namesake Jesus, Father God, and the Holy Spirit Will continually anoint my ministry And supply my ability to minister to others For by His grace and mercy will I be able to live in His house. Forever and ever Amen”
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11)
“For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25)
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)
“But He made His own people go forth like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock; And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear;” (Psalm 78: 52-53)
Peace,
Sue Ramsey