Friday, May 4, 2012
Psalm 23:5-6 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 GOOD SHEPHERD
Some of you reading this have seen combat in a war -- from World War II to the current war in Iraq/Afghanistan. The rest of us have seen it portrayed on TV or in movies. It is beyond comprehension that in the middle of a battlefield a group could sit down to a picnic. Yet this is what Jesus promises to you. With the devil and his followers trying to destroy you, you may relax. Your Shepherd, your King is there sustaining you. If you're beat up, He'll take care of you. Your cup runs over with abundance of care. We like to help our loved ones here on this earth but nothing can compare with what Jesus brings to the table.
That care continues for all of your days. Instead of having only enemies chasing after you, the Lord's goodness and mercy are pursuing you. He chases after you with His compassion. His goodness follows you even calling after you when you run away. No one can provide such comprehensive protection. He offers you a place in His flock forever.
You wonder why anybody would look any place else for rest, refreshment and protection. Yet we do it all the time. That sinful nature in you will skew your view of Jesus and have you look at Him as some sort of tyrant -- one that restricts you rather than protects you. You'll have ideas that you can take care of yourself and that you're so independent that you don't need God. You might think that there are other ways to live forever -- other paths to eternity that don't involve Jesus. Forget that. Let's look at reality. You are a sheep. The good news is that the Lord is your Shepherd.
