January 4, 2010

Shepherd or Leopard!

The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23:1

During a Bible reading time at a church, while reading a passage that talks about shepherd the person who read the Bible misspelled “Shepherd” for “Leopard” that led to a mild laughter amid congregation. What a great difference between a Shepherd and a Leopard! Shepherd, provides, guides, and protects but Leopard on the contrary, provides for itself with your flesh, follows you to swallow, and kills.

The Lord is our Shepherd. In Psalm 23, our Lord is portrayed as a Shepherd who takes a sheep under His care and provides, guides, and protects.

Once at our Church, Elders and Deacons decided to have “Shepherding Teams” to care for their flock. The congregation will be divided into small groups and each team will be assigned with an Elder, a Deacon, and a lay woman to help that group of believers with rising needs. The group will be under the care of Shepherds who will provide at the time of need. What a great way to lead a congregation! During the hard economic times like these where almost 10% of the Georgia state are jobless what a great way to be cared by a Shepherd. What a privilege to say “The Lord is my Shepherd”. My wife and I observe our sons enjoy their childhood with no worries about any of their needs because all essentials provided without any labor from their part. Once, our 7 year old said “Dad, do not worry about buying that expensive toy, simply use credit card”. He has no knowledge of repaying back. See the “trust” the children have on their parents for provision, guidance, and protection! Like a sheep, we must learn to lean on HIM alone. Our Lord promises provision, guidance, and protection to all those who trust Him.

Current economic indicator, predict hard-hit recessions to continue and due to this situation, many people are engulfed with fear and anxiety. Some fear for the future, and anxious about loosing jobs. Some are wondering about how to cope in case of job loss. Some fear about losing homes, paying loans, students worry about tuition fee increase and finding jobs on their graduation. Thousands of people each day wake up with burdens in their hearts and anxiety with which they must deal on a day-to-day basis. Are you one of among these? Bearing secretly a heavy burden? Remember He is your Shepherd who provides, protects, and paves way for you. Do not worry you are not alone, your shepherd is with you and He will guide you only if you totally trust Him for your needs. Like a sheep you must come under your Shepherd’s care and that is what He wants from you. He wants you to rely on Him. This Shepherd tells you in Matthew chapter 11 and verse 28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. He will give you rest only when you rest on Him alone and not rest over your burdens. Resting on your burdens is like keeping your head on a pillow that is made with thorns, it will keep pricking you. But resting on Him will give you peace. Learn to cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). We live in a world where we constantly hear people saying “I don’t care”, “I don’t care”, but here is a Shepherd who truly “cares” for you. When our Lord is your Shepherd, you will not lack anything.

So “Come” to the Shepherd, “Cast” your anxieties and as a result you will be under His “Care”. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be under your care and cast every single anxiety I have about my life, my family, my future, my ministry for I know you are my Shepherd. 

May you have a Christ-honoring day!

“Daily Grace at Jesus` Feet,” - Devotionals written by Dr. Paul Joseph. Copyright 2010 - 2011  Dr. Paul Joseph; All rights reserved.