Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
8/18 Reading Portions: 1 Samuel 10; Romans 8; Jeremiah 47; Psalms 23-24
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
SHEPHERD
He who said, “I am the Door” (John 10:10), said also, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, and as such, He is the LORD; that is, YHVH God. Jesus was David’s Shepherd before His incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection; and He is our Shepherd since. In Him, through Him, and by Him, you and I shall not want. That is, we shall not lack. In what ways shall we not be lacking in Christ? There are quite many, but here are just a few. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus gives exuberant, spiritual life to His sheep (John 10:11). Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5) as the hireling does (John 10:12-13a), because our Shepherd cares for us (John 10:13b). Our Shepherd knows us intimately and reveals Himself to us so we may also know Him (John 10:14). The Good Shepherd laid down His life for you and me (John 10:15), and continues to lay down His life for us as our eternal Mediator (1 Tim 2:5) and heavenly Advocate (1 Jn 2:1). Because of the Shepherd’s sacrifice for you and me (John 10:17b), the Father’s love for Jesus is infinite, eternal, and unsurpassed (John 10:17a). Therefore, in our Good Shepherd, we can walk with assurance that the Father’s love for you and me is likewise infinite, eternal, and unsurpassed. We are eternal people because of our Good Shepherd. We have life abounding and joy unspeakable because of our Good Shepherd. We have heavenly protection because of our Good Shepherd. We have continual intercessions before the bar of law and holy justice because of our Good Shepherd. We have the love of a gracious, merciful God because of the Good Shepherd. Hallelujah! What a Shepherd!
The Lord Jesus is my Shepherd,
He gives me all good things.
He gave His life and kept God’s Word;
It’s why I shout and sing!
