Psalm 23:1a

Written Feb. and March 1999

Psalm 23

1a THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD;

"The LORD is my shepherd!" Thank-You, Jesus, that YOU are my shepherd- because out of all the people who love me, YOU are the One who loves me most. YOU are the One who loves me perfectly. YOU are the only One who can take care of me. I am Yours, and You are mine!

"The LORD IS my shepherd!" Yes, You ARE! By Your grace, I'm Your little sheep, and You ARE my shepherd. It's not a MAYBE, but in truth and reality You ARE my shepherd.

"The LORD is MY shepherd!" You are my PERSONAL shepherd. You are the shepherd of many others as well, but when You speak to me, I am all alone with You, and I have Your full attention. I praise You that You can be MY shepherd personally anytime I need You. What a mighty God! You are all things to all of Your sheep at all times! I praise Your wonderful NAME!

"The LORD is my SHEPHERD!"

Shepherd - 7462 in Strong's- "to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intrans. to graze (lit. or fig.); gen. to rule by extens. to associate with (as a friend): -x break, companion, keep company with...feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdsman, keep (sheep)...pastor...shepherd...

"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name: thou art mine " (Is. 43:1b), You say to me. You are my shepherd,my FRIEND that I "keep company with". You are my ruler, and You are the One who feeds me both physically and spiritually.

It is said of Thee, "He shall FEED his flock like a shepherd: he shall GATHER the lambs with his arm, and CARRY them IN HIS BOSOM, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Is. 40:11) Thank- You, for this wonderful PROMISE to me!

You are my shepherd, and I am Your little sheep, by grace. "I am the good shepherd," You say to me. "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (Jn. 10:11) Thank-You, Lord, for giving Your life for ME! Yes, I am Your little sheep, and I tend to so easily go astray as all little sheep are prone to do. Thank-You, dear Jesus, Shepherd of my soul, for continually finding me and bringing me back to Your bosom again. And as my GOOD SHEPHERD, You will provide for me and keep me from danger. When I am in Your bosom, I am in SAFETY. Thank-You, Jesus!

W.M. Thornson, P.D., in "The Land and the Book" writes,

Some sheep always keep near the shepherd and are his special favorites. Each of them has a name, to which it answers joyfully, and the kind shepherd is ever distributing to such, choice portions which he gathers for that purpose. These are the contented and happy ones. They are in no danger of getting lost or into mischief, nor do wild beasts or thieves come near them. (I long to be a sheep like this, my Lord!) The great body, however, are more worldlings, intent
upon their mere pleasures or selfish interests. They run from bush to bush, searching for variety or delicacies, and only now and then lift their heads to see where the shepherd is...