March 22 – He Truly Is

“Yahweh* is my shepherd; I will not lack for anything. In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; by quiet waters he leads me. ” – Psalm 23:1-2 (LEB)

We look today at a very familiar verse from a version that is not so common. Such comfort and truth are packed in this Psalm and it is well worth returning to it over and over again. Living like a sheep can bring you incredible peace of mind! The shepherd in Old Testament times knew his sheep. He knew each one and understood what foods were best for them, what they needed to thrive, and what dangers there were that could harm them. God knows us this way too. In the Gospel of John 10: 11,14  Jesus declares Himself explicitly to be the good shepherd two times. It is by His very nature that our Good Shepherd laid down His life for us. It is a promise from Him. He declares that He knows His own sheep and they know Him. We have a relationship with Him. This gives us reason to have absolute trust in our Good Shepherd and to value the nourishment that comes from more than anything else in our lives or in the world. Jesus did not simply identify as our good shepherd. No. He is by nature our good shepherd and cares for us always. 

200

* The name of God, as revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures, is YHWH (the closest English equivalents to the Hebrew letters). Ancient Hebrew did not have vowels, so the exact pronunciation of YHWH is uncertain. The vast majority of Hebrew and Christian scholars believe the name to be Yahweh, pronounced /ˈyä-wā/, with Yehowah, pronounced /yi-ˈhō-və/, being the second most popular possibility.

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) uses the "formal equivalence" method of translation, resulting in a quite literal rendering. Reviewers have gauged the Lexham English Bible as slightly more literal than the New American Standard. The publishers of the LEB have strived to be as transparent as possible in the translation process, providing interlinear versions that keep the Greek and Hebrew words in their original order as well as provide root words and define each word contextually and noncontextually.

December 21 – How We Know

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” – John 10:11 (NASB)
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:15 (NASB

Shepherds worked very difficult jobs. Sheep were important to the lives and the livelihood of sheep owners and an important industry. Finding a good shepherd, one that could be trusted, was not always easy. Here, Jesus declares himself the Good Shepherd. A strict more literal translation is “I am the shepherd, the good one.” A good shepherd would be willing to hazard his all for the sheep. King David was a shepherd who risked his life to protect the sheep from wild predators. A shepherd may, indeed, risk his life in the defense of his sheep (1 Samuel. 17:34–36), but he does not really lay down his life as a voluntary sacrifice. But our Good Shepherd has a different relationship than a hired shepherd. To save His sheep, the Good Shepherd sacrificed his life so that they can live. Jesus doubles this promise and He did lay down His life for the sheep because He knows each intimately by name and they know and follow Him. His sheep know him in the same way as God the Father and God the Son know each other for they are one. Perhaps difficult to understand, it is His promise to us. 

200

December 7 – Scattered and Re-gathered

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” -  Isaiah 40:11 (ESV)

The picture this verse draws for us is first one of God’s omnipotence. The context here is the prophecy of the Jews begin scattered over all the earth. Subsequently, God will overcome their oppressors and gather His people together and care for them. Are we familiar with the picture of our Lord as a shepherd caring for his sheep? It is an image used to show God's relationship with His followers. We are so glad that He considers us a part of those who can depend on His care every day. As we read this verse today these words are especially impressed on our hearts: “carries them in His bosom” – meaning He carries them close to his heart.  These special words remind us of God's promise and His great love for us. He wants us to feel this and He wants us to respond to His love. Then let us remember that to be held close to the heart of the shepherd made it possible for a lamb to feel the heartbeat of the shepherd. So it is for us. When our Lord carries us close to his heart, we can sense His love for others and for ourselves.

199

September 11 – Providing Care our Yahweh-Rohi

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ” -  Psalm 23:1 (ESV)

A very familiar verse we share on this 20th anniversary of a tragic day (9-11-2001). It is good for us to remember such horrific events so that we can remember again that we have a caretaker who watches over us. Of the thousands who lost their lives on this day in 2001 we know many were believers in Jesus Christ. Many others were not and that compounds the tragedy for them. Also, many first responders who were there that day and lived through it have had residual health effects. God, our Shepherd know this. Nothing happened or happens today that our God is not aware of. We do have this promise: strictly speaking, Yahweh roh is the beginning phrase of Psalm 23, “the LORD is my shepherd.” It combines the personal name of God, Yahweh, with the descriptive name of God, rohi or ro‘i, meaning, “my Shepherd.” The root word ra‘ah means to feed and tend domestic animals by pasturing them. This name speaks of God caring for His people in practical ways as well as providing spiritual sustenance. God provides and cares for everything we need, thus we can say today, no matter what happens, “I shall not want.”

199

March 28 – I AM The Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. - John 10:11 (ESV)

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  - John 10:14-15 (ESV)

Sheep were very important for those who lived in Israel at the time of Christ and for centuries before Christ. More than a millennium before Jesus Christ, David, a shepherd, wrote “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)  It was a natural illustration that Jesus used when He said twice “I Am the Good Shepherd,” as recorded in John 10.  For Jesus, sheep and the tending of sheep typified His life and purpose. Those listening to Jesus knew about the care required for a flock of sheep. Christ says He is THE good Shepherd. Some were careless in their duty, neglecting their flock when it was in danger and threatened. Bad practices spring from bad principles. The Lord Jesus had no bad principles. He is sure of His own because the chosen have put their trust in Him. This is a demonstration of the grace of Christ. None of us could demand Jesus do what He did when He willingly chose to be our sacrifice. He laid down His life for our redemption and salvation. He offered himself to be our Savior even when we were lost in our sin of rebellion.

192

February 1 – Familiar Comfort

“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.” – Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV) 

A familiar Psalm that is often used in time of difficulty, danger, stress, and fear. Many go to it when their hearts are heavy and they are carrying an emotional load. The Psalm has been divided into 6 verses and they are packed with promises and encouragement. It was so natural for David to use this metaphor. He had been a shepherd once and he had cared this way for his sheep. Jesus identified Himself as the ‘Good Shepherd’ that was promised and expected (John 10:4). The writer of Hebrews calls Jesus the ‘Great Shepherd’ (Hebrews 13:20) and Peter writes of Jesus as the ‘Chief Shepherd’ (1 Peter 5:4). David tells us that God, our Shepherd provides all we need fully. God tends to our physical needs for good food and water. Our troubles though sometimes go beyond our physical and emotional needs and actually cause us unrest within our souls. God takes care of us in these needs as well.  He knows we need restoration and guidance along the righteous way.  He does all this for His name’s sake. He has promised and He keeps every promise He gives us. Holy is His Name. 

194

December 6 – Carried Close

“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11 (NASB)

We might be familiar with the well-known painting by Warner Sallman of our Lord as a shepherd caring for his sheep? It is an image often used to show God's relationship with His followers.  It brings joy and comfort to know that He considers us a part of those who depend on His care every day. As we read this verse today these words are especially impressed on our hearts: “carries them in His bosom” – meaning He carries them close to his heart.  These special words remind us of God's promise and His great love for us. Jesus once told those following Him that His sheep know his voice, and He knows know them, and they follow Him. Jesus wants us to feel this and He wants us to respond to His love. Then let us remember that to be held close to the heart of the shepherd made it possible for a lamb to feel the heartbeat of the shepherd. So it is for us. When our Lord carries us close to his heart, we can sense His love for others and for ourselves. 

185

July 19 – Tearless Days

“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  - Revelation 7:17 (ESV)

Let us think today especially of the last part of this verse – about the tears being wiped away. Then with courage let us renew our hope in the many promises we have from God that He is with us and will never leave us.  We all are facing some difficult times. Our world and our days are quit different and may never return to the way they were.  We have to do things differently, according to the authorities, and like one person said, it brings on some depression and times of sorrow.  They often feel like doing nothing but crying out.  We recognize the tears in this world, even for believers. When we accept Jesus as Savior, He does give us a new joy. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us and one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. Even so we do have experiences that bring fears and tears. We do have our moments of grief. But on the other side God promises it will be different. It is because He who makes it different is God, our Father, and it's He who will wipe away the tears.

-190-

September 2 - Patiently Knows

“And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:31 (ESV)

This is a common comparison made throughout the Bible between those who believe in God the Father and His Son as our shepherd and us as His sheep. It is understandable because sheep ranching was a major means of making a living.  Jesus calls us His sheep as recorded in the Gospels but today's verse is from the Old Testament prophecy given to Ezekiel. The promise given to us is that God loves us even though He knows that we are not perfect.  He knows us just as He knew His people in Old Testament days. What the Lord told His followers in Ezekiel’s day can be applied to us today. He knows who we are. He knows where we came from. He says we are his people and what he means is that we are human.  Just as sheep left without a shepherd and on their own, will wander off and get lost or even killed by wild animals, God knows we make mistakes and sometimes fail Him. But in spite of our weaknesses or failings, He is patient with us and loves us.  He still wants us to remember that He is our God and we belong to Him. He is our shepherd and He is not ashamed to be known as our God.

# # #

July 18 – He Knows

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”  John 10:14 (NASB)

We are glad and comforted knowing that we have a wonderful Savior who is watching over us every day.  We have not been left alone to live our Christian lives by ourselves.  Jesus used the imagery of a shepherd and his flock of sheep to teach us how He cares and takes care of us who have believed and received Him as our Savior. When Jesus was teaching His followers He wanted them to realize how closely He would be paying attention to their needs.  A good shepherd always knew his sheep, where they were, what they needed, and he watched out for their safety.  As our good Shepherd, Jesus knows us because we are His and we know Him. We've looked at this lesson previously and it is always good to be reminded that Jesus knows us, His followers, and calls each of us by name. He knows our name and He knows our needs and He watches over us.  He protects us from evil and the evil one who seeks to destroy our faith.  Let's stay close to Him today and each day.   

# # #

May 20 – Known and Know

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”  John 10:14-15 (NASB)

Not too many days ago we considered the promise made by Jesus that his followers knew Him and knew His voice to follow Him.  From the same chapter in the Gospel of John, are these few verses earlier in the chapter.  He declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd.  When we put our trust in Him we became one of His own – we learned who He is.  Today the promise Jesus makes is very much the same as verse 27.  Just as Jesus knows us, we know Him.  This is the same kind of inter-relationship Jesus, the Son of God has with God His Father.  Jesus goes further though, He declares what the extent of his commitment is to us.  Just as a shepherd is willing to risk his life to save his sheep, Jesus was willing to lay down His life for us, His sheep.  He is presenting to His followers why He came to earth.  Because Jesus did lay down His life for us, we have eternal life.  We do not need to fear or shrink from death because even when we die, we will live forever with Him.  

# # #

March 18 – He Knows Us, We Know Him

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”   John 10:14  (NASB)

Jesus had said that He was giving His Life for us so that we might have access to becoming one of His. We have accepted what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross and by faith we have become His sheep.  The visual image of sheep appears often in both Old Testament and in Jesus' teaching in the New Testament.  Jesus considered those who believed in Him as His flock like sheep and Himself as our Good Shepherd.  In our verse today we are reminded that Jesus knows each one of us who are following Him today.  He knows who  we are and what each one of us needs.  He knows what we are thinking and what our motives are.  Yes, our good Lord is our good shepherd and He'll be watching us as we follow Him today.  Let's follow Him closely.  In our verse Jesus also says that His sheep know Him.  How wonderful to know Him today.  And to trust Him to meet our needs.  

# # #

December 7 – Carried Close

“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11 (NASB)

We might be familiar with the picture of our Lord as a shepherd caring for his sheep? It is an image often used to show God's relationship with His followers.  We are so glad that He considers us a part of those who can depend on His care every day. As we read this verse today these words are especially impressed on our hearts: “carries them in His bosom” – meaning He carries them close to his heart.  These special words remind us of God's promise and His great love for us. He wants us to feel this and He wants us to respond to His love. Then let us remember that to be held close to the heart of the shepherd made it possible for a lamb to feel the heart beat of the shepherd. So it is for us. When our Lord carries us close to his heart, we can sense His love for others and for ourselves.

September 17 – Providing Rest

“I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 34:15 (NIV)

Shepherds were very common in the world during the days that these words of the Bible were written. God often spoke of Himself as our Shepherd. As the sheep followed their Shepherd, God wants us to follow Him and trust Him to provide what we need – even the times of rest. We can picture a flock of sheep relaxing in a nice cool place after feeding on the grass and drinking from the cool stream. With all their needs supplied the sheep can enjoy a good rest. This is what our Lords wants to do for us. He wants us to pause and relax trusting that all our needs are taken care of by Him for He is our shepherd, our Good Shepherd.

May 20 – All the Details Are Known

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—” John 10:14  (NIV)

We remember that when Jesus was here on earth he told his followers that He is the Good Shepherd. God used this and other familiar images to help us understand His character and love for us. So we believe that if we are true followers of Jesus, He knows us each personally by name. And that is just a small part of what He knows about us. He knows our thoughts. He knows our feelings. He knows what we thinking today. He also knows our needs and He knows how to meet our needs. This is a promise which Jesus gave us when he ministered among us on earth. Yes, even though we are many and we are different in many ways our Lord Jesus knows all the details about each of us. And, he loves us still and is anxious to demonstrate to us how He loves us. Remember, He so loved the world, and that means all and he wants us to know Him today.

December 18

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)

When Jesus was here He sometimes made statements to reveal His purpose for coming. One such statement was made in connection with His teaching about Himself as the Good Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd Jesus laid down His life for us His sheep. That is how you and I can have life – eternal life. If you have trusted in Him as your Savior, you do have this eternal life. But did you notice that He added some more words? He said He came that we might have life to the full – full of all the joy and peace that He can give. So when you think of the Babe in Bethlehem, remember we can have life full of blessing because He came.

December 7

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

The words that we want to emphasize today are these: “He carries them close to His heart.” Is that not a beautiful picture? And does it not give you a special feeling of confidence? So this is a promise for you if you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior. You are His lamb today and He wants to draw you close to Himself. How do you think a lamb would feel if its shepherd carried it that way? Well, that is how you can feel today. Your Lord loves you and wants you to know that. So just let Him show you how much He loves you. 

July 23

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

These words may be new to you, or they may be very familiar. Maybe we have memorized them in childhood. The psalmist had come to know his Shepherd and here expressed his faith in the Lord, His Shepherd. He had the assurance that he would be taken care of as long as he lived on earth. The goodness and love of God would be a part of his daily experience. And this is true for us who follow the Shepherd even now. We can experience His goodness and love each day, and can have the same assurance David had about life in eternity. There is an eternal home awaiting us too. So, let’s be encouraged!

July 18

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  Revelation 7:17 (NIV)

Let us think today especially of the last part of this verse – about the tears being wiped away. We recognize that there are tears in this world, even for believers. When we accept Jesus as Savior He does give us a new joy. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us and one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. Even so we do have experiences that bring tears. We do have our moments of sorrow. But on the other side it will be different. Who makes it different? It’s God, the Father, who will wipe away the tears. 

July 7

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 (NIV)
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”  John 10:18a (NIV)

Do you sometimes wonder if God really cares about the problems you encounter? These words remind us that He does care. If you have believed in this Jesus you are one of His sheep. Jesus gave His life to bring you into the fold. It is wonderful to know that He offered Himself for us. That is what He said about the way He lay down his life for us, His sheep, cannot we trust Him to do what is best for us every day? The love that inspired Him to willingly die for us continues to work in our behalf today.