The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 18 March 2024 – The Lord, Our Great Shepherd
TOPIC: The Lord, Our Great Shepherd
READ: Psalm 23: 1-6 (NKJV)
- The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
- He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
- He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
THE MESSAGE:
When we take some time to ponder on the relationship of a shepherd and the sheep, our understanding will open as we catch a glimpse of the great privilege we have in Christ.
David, as an experienced shepherd, introduced the LORD to us as a Shepherd. He also enumerated the duties of a shepherd: A shepherd accepts the responsibility of providing for the sheep; he will look for and locate greener pastures for the sheep and also direct them to sources of water. It is his duty to restore the wearied among the sheep; He is there with them in time of trouble and danger; and without doubt, defends them against the enemy.
This reveals the true identity of our LORD and Master. He referred to Himself as “a good Shepherd (John 10: 11) who has even gone to the extent of giving His life for us. With His life given for us at salvation, the scripture assures us that God will, with Christ, freely give us all other things (Romans 8: 31-32). When the time comes for us to walk through that valley of the shadow of death – when we are to cross the border of the present life to the great beyond, He will be there to comfort us if by then we have allowed Him to be our Shepherd and LORD.
PRAYER: Give thanks to God for His shepherd role over your life, commit your specific needs unto Him, and ask Him to be your LORD and Shepherd forever.
