The Eternal One

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11

As I wake this morning as a sheep prone to wandering, with eyes half awake as I get coffee and with an expectant heart meet the LORD my Shepherd I am reminded of the Psalms...and of the Eternal One who is my Shepherd, whose eyes are upon me continually, even when I can hardly see and He knows the way to go.

A shepherd or sheepherder is a person who tends, herds, feed, or guards herds of sheep. Sheep are utterly dependent upon their shepherd to lead them to pastures, to provide water, and to protect them from danger. This is such a beautiful analogy of our good Shepherd. How we are compared to sheep in the scriptures...showing our need, helplessness and dependency on the LORD.

Good shepherds sacrifice everything for their sheep. This too is a glorious picture of a shepherd in the home and of a shepherd in the church, as Christ is the greatest example. Jesus is the greatest Good Shepherd of all. Every sheep in His pasture bears witness of His unfailing shepherding skills from the time there were lost until they were found.

Psalm 23 speaks of the Good Shepherd. His sheep so gently cared for and yet so strongly protected in His flock as they follow the Shepherd who does His sheep good, all the days of their lives. As we graze across His infallible Word He causes us to lie down in green pastures. He leads us by still waters He restores our soul. As we walk along the field and wander every pasture we can truly testify of His goodness.

In His rich mercy He bends His knee and His gentle but large strong hands rescue us from impending danger, He holds us tightly as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but His Word tells us we need not fear, for He is with us, His rod and staff always bring us comfort. His steadfast love and abundant grace and mercy always pursues us and He brings us to a table filled with spiritual fullness in the midst of our fiercest enemies...anointing our heads with soothing and fragrant oil. In superabundance He fills our cups again and again and it runs over...His goodness and mercy promised to actively pursue us all the days of our lives that we may dwell in the House of the LORD forever. Selah.

How great a love is this! The Shepherd lays down His life so none of His sheep will stray and become lost, forever separated from Him. He always pursues, woos, prompts, protects, and does what He has promised....all to ensure we are Home with Him, safely returned to His flock.

In Luke we read of humble shepherds in the field caring for their sheep. John would later write of Jesus as "The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" John 10:11.

I thank my Good Good Shepherd. May we give thanks to Him, for the unending care He gives His needy and prone to wandering sheep....for the Word that is filled with reminders of the unconditional love and promised care He gives His people, the sheep of His pasture. He is Emmanuel...God with us. God for us. God within us. Our Savior, the Savior of the world.

"But we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever" Psalm 79:13

The Eternal One is my shepherd. He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing waters. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. Even in the unending shadows of death's darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted. You spread out a table for me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace. Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go, always, everywhere. I will always be with the Eternal One....in Your house forever. (from Ps 23)

I dedicate this to my husband, my greatest example of what a heart of a shepherd is; gentle in love and strong to protect. And to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Michelle A. Guerra