Folded Legs. Thankful Spirit. Sweet Shepherd.

Shepherd.

The Lord is mine.

I have come back to this passage many times over the passed two weeks-

Psalm 23
" The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever."

I am so thankful for these words from our God. They are life giving.

If the Lord is the shepherd of my life then I am in turn a SHEEP.

By nature sheep are:
IGNORANT
LOST
UNAWARE OF THEIR NEEDS
CARELESS
WANDERERS

These animals do not know when to eat or sleep.
They do not know which direction to go.
They do not perceive danger and they walk right into traps and toil.

Sheep without a shepherd are lost. in danger. without hope.

I am without Christ lost. in danger. without hope.

How long, O Lord, will I ignore your rod and staff that are meant to comfort me and not just to restrict me?
I so often find the Lord's guidance in my life to be inconvenient, painful and not at all falling into my lines of pleasure.

I heard in a sermon once that sheep are so ignorant and helpless that shepherds literally must FOLD THEIR LEGS for them so that they will rest.

We see an example of this in the Psalm...The Lord MAKES ME LIE DOWN in green pastures...

I feel that this has been true of my life lately.
The Lord has folded my legs.
Made me immobile.
Kept me right where I am.

Why I ask?
Why Lord can you not just tell me what next step to take...?
Why Lord can you not allow me to get up and act...?
Why Lord am I still here right where you left me folded...?

I am learning the value in being still.

I am finding satisfaction in trusting Christ and following in His leading-
whether beside still waters or in the valley of the shadow of death.


Our Good Shepherd has given His life for His Sheep.

This sheep deserves death but has been given life.

That is worth seeing and savoring.

I have lately enjoyed reading through old hymns...I loved this one I found titled "The Good Shepherd"

"My Savior the good Shepherd is,
He'll never leave the flock.
The One Who truly loves the sheep,
Became the Lamb of God.

Despised, afflicted in my stead,
He spent His soul for me.
And to the slaughter He was led,
That I not thirsty be.
My Shepherd is the Lamb of God,
He calls to me each day,
To drink the waters flowing free,
From His pierced side of grace.
Yet when I stray or choose my way,
He still would search for me,
And bring me home on shoulders strong.
Do I not His love see?

My Shepherd's face is how I live,
I love to look at Him.
Though He might lead through shearing trial,
But still I follow Him.
Just as the Father's presence cheered
Him through each suffering day,
'Tis once I saw His tender care
That here I want to stay.

Oh, Father thank You for Your Son,
He shares Your heart for us.
That gladly He would bear us to
The bosom of Your love.
No greater Shepherd could there be,
That He would not lose one!
And lead us all to dwell with You.
Sweet Pasture, Living Stream."


Fellow Sheep- Trust in our Good Shepherd.
He is worthy.