This is the last blog post in the Shepherd series. I hope that you have enjoyed learning more about God as our Shepherd and that you have used the opportunity to draw nearer to Him.

What area of your life has benefitted the most from learning more about God as your Shepherd?

Before we look at the final points about God as our Shepherd, here is a recap on the previous blogs:

• The Caring Shepherd: Jesus cared so much for us as his sheep that he gave his life so that we can have life. If we follow Jesus’s example, we would pray for others, feel compassion for people and meet their needs by serving them.
• Our Healing Shepherd: Our shepherd knows the state of his flock. Jesus wants to heal us and make us whole.
• Our Guiding Shepherd: The Holy Spirit is our gift from God. He will help us and guide us.
• Our Shepherd: Our refuge and joy: God is our place of safety, he defends us and protects us. The joy of Lord strengthens us as we rejoice in him.
• Our Shepherd: Teaching us obedience: The Lord convicts us of sins, but doesn’t condemn us. We are God’s children and therefore he disciplines us and teaches us his ways so that we can have everlasting life.

Revelation 4:9 - 11 KJV "And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

The word “crown” occurs multiple times in the Bible. Crowns are mostly associated with royalty, or someone in authority. A crown is given to someone to declare his position and it can also be taken away. A crown can be a physical or a symbolic item.

Each crown given to us by the Father, symbolises something:

In the Old Testament physical crowns were given to kings (for example Saul, David and Solomon), queens (for example Vashti in the book of Esther), priests (for example Aaron in Exodus 29:6). People were also given a crown as a reward and as a symbol of his position in the kingdom (Mordecai in Esther 8:15).

In the New Testament we see different crowns. These aren’t physical, but has a spiritual meaning to them.

• 1 Corinthians 9:25 speak about an incorruptible crown. While on earth some people work for earthly successes and wins an earthly prize that will not last forever, but we should focus on being successful in God’s eyes so that we will gain a crown that will last forever.
• In 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Paul speaks about a crown of rejoicing. It is a crown of celebration because of those who he gained for Christ.
• 2 Timothy 4:8 Paul speaks about a crown of righteousness that all who look forward to the coming of Christ will receive. This will be received by those who are right with God and continues to do right.
• James 1:12 talks about the crown of life. This is a victor’s crown for those who endured testing and temptation patiently. (see also Revelation 2:10)
• 1 Peter 5:4 KJV “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” As we eagerly serve God and lead those placed in our care, we will receive a victor’s crown that will last forever.

What crown are you currently wearing?

The world promises crowns, but they will not last forever. Our earthly successes that was reached without God, will amount to nothing in the life hereafter. Any treasure we gather that isn’t for the purposes of God will disappear.

Like the elders in Revelations 4:9, we must cast all of our crowns at the feet of Jesus. We must acknowledge that nothing that we have accomplished in this life, is out of ourselves, and give all the glory to God.

By the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, given as a gift to us by God, our Father, we can and should seek to serve the Kingdom of God. All of us will stand in front of our Good Shepherd, Jesus, and we will have to give an account of everything we did in this life time: sins that we haven’t confessed and asked forgiveness for as well as the good deeds that we have done for the Kingdom.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the things in your life that you should let go of, or the crowns that you should cast to the feet of Jesus as an act of worship. Submit your whole life to the Lord and see his miraculous power work in your life.

Revelation 3:11 KJV "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

By the power of Jesus working within us, we can stand victorious before the Judgement seat of Christ.

I hope this series has encouraged you and that your cup overflows with blessings as you follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and step into the good works that God has ordained you to accomplish.

Catherina

PS: If you enjoyed learning more about God as our Shepherd through this series, please let me know. Also consider sharing this with others so that they can also be encouraged!