Notes of Faith July 16, 2024
Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:11
When a teenage David offered to fight the Philistine giant Goliath, King Saul doubted his ability—until David provided evidence from his life as a shepherd. Whenever a lion or bear attacked his flock, David would fight and kill the attacking beast and rescue his sheep from its claws and teeth. David said he would do the same to Goliath, and Saul acquiesced (1 Samuel 17:32-37).
As a shepherd, David fulfilled his two most important tasks: provide for his flock and protect his flock. He saw God fulfilling those same two responsibilities for His people and for him personally and wrote a song illustrating God’s role as the Shepherd: Psalm 23. God provides green pastures for His flock and protects them in the valley of the shadow of death. The role of the Good Shepherd is one Jesus took upon Himself as Israel’s Messiah—a Shepherd who “gives His life for the sheep.”
Jesus is still the Good Shepherd. He can defeat any giant that stands in your way. You can trust Him for provision and protection every day until He comes to gather His flock to Himself.
Before an emergency arises, God in his providence has made adequately and perfectly timed provision to meet it.
J. Oswald Sanders
Ps 23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Good Shepherd knows His sheep. He provides for them. He cares for them. They listen to Him and follow Him. We are His sheep. Let us listen to and follow Him into the perfect pastures of His care.
Pastor Dale