Jehovah Raah: The Lord our Shepherd

The good shepherd; that is one of the most common names we use for God, but a lot of the time, we don't really think deeply about what that means.

See what Jesus says in John 10:11-18,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Verses 27-29 continue,

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand."

(Read the full chapter here)

There are a few major points I bolded:

• He lays down his life for you

• He knows you

• He calls you

• He brings unity to his people

• You will listen to his voice

• You follow Him

• He gives you eternal life

• No one can separate you from Him

And just like with many other things, Jesus as our good shepherd is the fulfillment of a prophecy.

Ezekiel 34 starts off by describing how the current shepherds of Israel weren't doing their duty of looking after the sheep, but God promises to rescue his sheep, saying,

“‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice"

(Read the full chapter here)

Again, there are some bolded statements:

• He will look after you

• He will rescue you

• He will tend to you and pasture you

• He will strengthen you

• He will lead you with justice

The more we proceed, the more powerful this quality, 'the good shepherd,' seems to be.

Psalms 23 is one of the most common psalms, and a lot of us recite it regularly, but how often do we pray it? I don't know about you, but I try to regulate myself and not just mindlessly say the words, but think about it, reflect upon it.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 overflows. 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.

Today, pray this psalm and reflect on how the Lord has been your good shepherd, guiding you and leading you through these difficult times, and give him praise.

Peace and love of Christ be with you all!!!