Currently I am studying Psalm 23 for Lent. The Psalm begins with these words, “The Lord is my Shepherd”. I am going to share some questions and thoughts that might help each one of us make Jesus the Shepherd of our lives. A basic question to begin with is “how do I come under His control?”. David, the author of the poem, was himself a shepherd. Yet he wanted to make God the daily Shepherd of his existence.
Our view of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is taken from John 10:1-18. Please read this passage to further understand who Jesus is in relationship to ourselves. Why? Because so often our view of Jesus is too small or cramped. We honestly don’t want to allow the authority or control He deserves. The greater, the wider, the more majestic my concept is of the Christ --- the more vital will be my relationship to Him. In Psalm 23, David speaks not as a shepherd, but as a sheep, one of the flock. Sheep can truly thrive under the care of a loving shepherd. We need to know the character of the Shepherd talked about in Psalm 23. Jesus brought us into being (created us) and understands each of us better than we know ourselves. Jesus demonstrated on Calvary His desire to care for us throughout eternity.
Sheep and human beings are similar in many ways. Keep reading Psalm 23 to find that out! Yet Jesus intercedes for us by His gracious Spirit. He spares no pains for the welfare of His sheep. Jesus is the understanding Shepherd who cares enough to seek out and save and restore lost humanity. Basically it amounts to this:
A person exchanges their own selfish living for being guided by God.

Questions to Consider

1. Do I really belong to Him?

2. Do I respond to His authority?

3. Do I find complete fulfillment in this arrangement?

4. Do I sense a purpose and deep contentment in my life?

Fred