A Ruler Who Will Shepherd My People

.

A Ruler Who Will Shepherd My People

We all like to have someone  who honestly cares for us.      Politicians all claim to care  for the people,  but they obviously  aren’t all honest  in their claims.      Insurance companies  all claim to care,  but….      From the rising numbers of divorces  and other family problems,  one can see a real need  for truly faithful caring.      In all our needs,  we need  to look to the One  who does honestly care  for us  and faithfully love us.      He is so often dismissed  as not caring for us  because we are looking  in the wrong direction  and not understanding  the care He is giving.

The Bible often refers to Jesus  as our Shepherd,  tenderly caring for us.      He was prophesied  as being our Shepherd  and is called our Shepherd  clear to the end of the Bible.      Some of the passages include:

Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd,   shall not want.

Psalm 28:9
Save Thy people,  and bless  Thine inheritance;
Be their shepherd also,  and carry them forever.

Isaiah 40:11
Like a shepherd  He will tend His flock,
In His arm  He will gather the lambs,
And carry them  in His bosom;
He will gently lead  the nursing ewes.

Micah 5:4
And He will arise  and shepherd His flock
In the strength  of the LORD.

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd;  the good shepherd lays down His life  for the sheep.

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears,  you will receive  the unfading crown  of glory.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb  in the center of the throne  shall be their shepherd,  and shall guide them  to springs of the water  of life;  and God  shall wipe every tear  from their eyes.

The Jewish religious leaders  knew of all the Old Testament references  to our Savior  being our good Shepherd.      That is why  they were able  to quote Micah  when the magi arrived  looking for the baby Jesus,  and say  that our Redeemer  would be born  in Bethlehem.      They quoted in Matthew 2:6,

For out of you  shall come forth  a Ruler,
Who will shepherd  My people  Israel.

So the question is:   are we following our Shepherd,  the One  who has loved us dearly  and died on the cross  to pay for our sins.      Do we recognize  the voice  of our Shepherd?      In John chapter 10  Jesus talks a lot  about His sheep.      In verse 27,  He says,

My sheep hear My voice,  and I know them,  and they follow Me.

We can listen to Jesus’ voice  all throughout the Bible,  His word to us.      There we can learn  what He sounds like  and how gentle  and caring  He is towards us — even though  we’ve done  a lot of wandering.      During this Christmas season,  we need to see  how quietly  and gently  our Shepherd came to us  in the baby Jesus.      God Almighty  purposely came  in poverty  to show us  how much He cares  for our earthly condition.      He meekly died  on the cross,  even though He had the power  to destroy all  who wrongly condemned Him.      And He victoriously rose  from the dead  to show us  that He is  our almighty Shepherd.

Jesus will shepherd us,  when we trust in Him  and want to belong  to His flock.

In the peace  of following our Shepherd,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,  thank You  for gently  and faithfully  calling us  in Your word.      It’s comforting to realize  that You are  our Prince of Peace  and Wonderful Counselor.      In You  we truly can trust.”

Love,
Margaret

 

.

A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

.