OUR SHEPHERD - Part 1

The wonderful picture of God as our Shepherd is found in many places in the Old Testament. One of the Psalms begins, “Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock” (Psalm 80:1). It’s great to think that the Everlasting God, the Almighty Creator, condescends to be the Shepherd of His people. 

David makes the relationship a personal one in the best known of all Psalms. “The Lord is my shepherd,” he cries exultantly, “I shall lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1, italics mine). The rest of the Psalm tells us what we shall not lack. It speaks of the Shepherd’s provision as He leads us to the green pastures, His guidance along the paths of righteousness (that means the right paths), His presence with us in the dark valley. No wonder David testifies, “My cup overflows” (verse 5) – such are God’s boundless blessings.

Isaiah adds a further touch to the picture when he says, “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart” (Isaiah 40:11). The figure here indicates the tender care with which the Lord supports His people on their journey and the strong love with which He enfolds them. 

-- Billy Graham in “Who’s in Charge of a World That Suffers?”