The Lord is my Shepherd. Right away we are reminded that we have a relationship with Jesus. In John 10:11, Jesus uses this same shepherd imagery that was very familiar in Jewish culture. He said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” God makes it clear that He is the owner of the flock - His people. There will be a day when God takes over from failed human leaders and restores His creation and His kingship.

Jesus is the One in whom all the covenants of the Old Testament found their fulfillment. He is the ultimate Shepherd-King (Matt 9:36). Jesus is the Good Shepherd that goes after the one lost sheep. 

The Lord is still the same - He is, and has always been, the Shepherd. What Jesus has done still remains - He is the Shepherd that laid His life down for us, His sheep that had gone astray. Who we are in Christ is rock solid - we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. What we are to do (love God and people) hasn’t changed. How we do what we do has radically changed in the last two weeks and for the foreseeable future. How will we navigate life’s new realities like our families, our money, our fears, our church community? 

The Lord’s Provision (verses 1-2)

“I shall not want,” that’s supply! We are recipients of the blessings of Jesus, the Great Shepherd who laid His life down for us. He is both the door into the fold and the Good Shepherd. We have life in all of its fullness because of peace with God through Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross and His resurrection. 

According to John 10:10, Jesus lays His life down so that we may live in His abundance. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” that’s rest! “He leads me beside still waters,” that’s refreshment!

We have all that we need. If you are in need of something, please let the Lord meet your need by letting your church family know - we are an army of missionary servants ready to serve you the best we can. God has always blessed His people to be a blessing to others. 

The Lord’s Protection (verse 3-4)

“He Restores my soul,” that’s healing! “He leads me in paths of righteousness,” that’s guidance! “For His name's sake,” that’s purpose! “Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil,” that’s testing! We must give any anxiety to Jesus. We are in the Lord’s hands. With C.S. Lewis we acknowledge that long before this most recent disaster of COVID19, all of us were put under a death sentence. “I will fear no evil,” that’s protection! 

He is the Lord of all. He numbers our days. It is His breath in our lungs. Today we see how quickly the things that we put our trust in to protect us have limits and can fail: government, medical treatment, investments, employers. The Lord is our protector! 

The Lord’s Presence (verses 4-6)

The psalmist states why he is not fearful, “for you are with me,” that’s faithfulness! Wherever you are, Jesus is there. The Lord is near. You draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). 

In John 10:4, Jesus said that His sheep know His voice. He longs to speak to you. He longs to dwell with you forever, “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” that’s security. That’s eternity! There is a bright future when we are found in Christ! 

God’s presence is very real when we gather with His people - He is among us when we are gathered together. This is a very different way to gather, but we are gathered. I encourage you to engage in the many ministries that are going on all week long. Daily communal readings and prayer each morning and evening, Monday through Saturday.