Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

My Shepherd

Psalm 23v1 “The LORD is my shepherd”

I plan to make this well-known Psalm the basis for our thoughts over the next few weeks.

David begins this Psalm with a declaration of who his “shepherd” is. David had much experience of being a shepherd, so he knew that a shepherd:

• Watches over the sheep,
• Provides for them
• Cares for them
• Defends from predators
• Even risks their life for the sake of the sheep.

He declares that, for him, this caring and protecting person is “the LORD”. In the original Hebrew this is “YHWH” pronounced “Yahweh” or “Jehovah” – the revealed personal and holy name of God. For us today, we look to Jesus in similar way. Indeed Jesus took on this very position when he said, “I am the good Shepherd.”

In all the difficulties and challenges of life, let’s remember that we are like sheep, relying on our Lord and shepherd to bring us through. As Psalm 91 says “’Because he loves me,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him. … I will be with him in trouble.”

This same Shepherd is the one who seeks out the lost and brings them into his fold. That is why it is exciting this next week as we seek to follow Christ and guide the lost to be saved by Him.

Keep close to the Shepherd today and you will be safe and He will provide.

With love and blessing,

Roland