Psalm 23:1 - March 7, 2009

Ps 23:1 A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd." NIV

The Shepherd heart of God is idealized in Christian circles with great romanticism and imagery but to know God as our shepherd is powerful for its implications to our relationship with Him. Isaiah 40:11 talks about the Shepherd of Israel with such passion and intimacy that this verse alone awakens the reality of such tender feelings in God’s heart towards us that no one should live without this knowledge. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Our loving Father gathers us into his arms. Imagine the Lord lifting you up and holding you close like a little lamb. And look at where he has lifted you to; the Lord is carrying you close to his heart today. Whenever you feel weak or discouraged remember that the Lord is there to lift you up and hold you close to his heart. His thoughts are directed towards you not in some distant cold sort of relationship.
He knows you by name and is calling out to you to come after him as Jesus says in his parable of the shepherd in John 10:2-3
Even when we have wandered off into the wilderness of sin God in his shepherd’s heart is looking for us to bring us home. His way is not the way of anger and judgment. This path is only the last resort laid up for those who resist the kindness of his heart and show contempt for his gracious attempts to restore us. Ro. 2:4 speaks of God’s way in regard to those who have wandered into sin as Paul teaches that it is “God's kindness leads you toward repentance,” not a harsh angry vengeance. It is only after we have shown “contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience”, Ro. 2:4. That he then adopts a stronger form of correction, but even then with the hope of full restoration. The story of the prodigal son is such a picture of God’s immeasurable patience as the Father releases the son to his own foolishness knowing that his constant kindness and understanding way with his son has left an open door for a path of repentance and restoration. Had the Father been harsh and condescending the son may either have felt that he could not return or reacted to the criticism that met his return and run away again out of bitterness.
Jer 31:9 paints such a powerful picture of true repentance and the Father’s heart of restore the lost ones to his flock when it says, “They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble because I am Israel's father.” A Shepherd and a Father, that is who calls us to himself! Not only does he welcome us home when we have strayed, when he finds the true repentance reflected in Jer. 31:9 he then gladly leads us by the living waters of his intimate presence and provides for us level paths to walk on as a father chooses good ground for his children to learn to walk on. In those seasons when we find ourselves returning after our hearts have gone astray we can come to God with confidence and humility leaning on these words of Jesus to comfort us. Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”It is God’s pleasure to give you himself!