For the next few weeks we are going on a journey of discovering God as our shepherd.

When you hear that the Lord is our Shepherd, what picture comes up in your mind? In a journal, take time to describe or draw what you are seeing.

A shepherd is someone who traditionally tends and rears sheep in a pasture. The shepherd protects and guides the sheep, sees that the sheep eats nourishing food and drink sufficient water, and put healing ointment on wounds that comes with walking through shrubs or having encounters with predators.

In the Old and New Testament, God and Jesus are referred to as the Good Shepherd. But what exactly does that mean to us as God’s children?

We see in scripture that the people of Israel referred to God as the Shepherd of Israel (Ps 80:1). We also read that God appointed people to shepherd his people (Num 27:17).

In this post we are going to dive deeper into one aspect of God as our Shepherd: The caring shepherd.

Psalm 23 is probably the most well known scripture that comes to mind when we refer to God as our Shepherd. In this Psalm, David describes everything a good shepherd should be that is found in God as his shepherd:

• Provision
• Rest and peace
• Renewed strength
• Guidance
• Protection
• Blessings
• Unfailing love

John 10:11 KJV "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

Here Jesus says that he is the good shepherd and that he cares so much for us as his sheep that he gave his life for us. Jesus also said that we should give all of our cares and worries to God, because he cares for us (Mat 6:25 – 30, 1 Peter 5:7).

What are the things that you are worried about today? Prayerfully give all of them to God and accept that he will take care of you.

To care for someone is to look after their health, welfare, maintenance and protection. God provides for all of our basic needs through his word. Search for a scripture that speaks to a need that you have and declare it over your life.

For example: Do you need healing of any sickness, declare Isaiah 53:5 over yourself; or if you feel intimidated by something, declare 2 Timothy 1:7.

From the very beginning we read about God caring for his people, that those who choose to follow him and place him first in their lives prospered. When we are focused on things that troubles us or intimidate us, we cannot step into the purpose the Lord has for our lives. It is vital for our overall well-being to give those things to the Lord. Knowing you are not going through things alone, that God sees everything and longs to take care of things for us, release you from the burden and soothes your soul.

It takes complete surrendering and letting go of past hurts that influences our thought patterns and reactions towards hardships, to fully experience God’s goodness in our lives.

A good shepherd, doesn’t desert his flock when trouble comes, but stays put until the very end to ensure that his flock is taken care of. Jesus promises that he will never leave us (Hebrews 13:15).

What mindset change do you have to make in order to accept the Lord as your caring shepherd?

Imagine you were a shepherd, but instead of caring for sheep, you were appointed to care for a “flock” of people. It can be in the capacity of being a Director of a company, a manager of a team, a teacher, a pastor or being parents. How would you show care to those under your leadership?

By fully accepting that God is our caring shepherd who wants good things for us, we will be able to bless those entrusted to us with the same blessings we are receiving. Would you pray for them? Would you have compassion for them and the things that they are going through?

Follow the example of our Good Shepherd: While Jesus was on earth he prayed for those in his care, he felt compassion for people and he met their needs by serving them.

How can you follow Jesus’s example in your everyday life? Who can you serve today and make them feel God’s love and care for them?

May God’s love for you lead you into a greater love and care for his people.

Blessings

Catherina