“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want [lack anything]. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Psalm 23:12
David, who wrote many of the psalms, could understand how the Lord Jesus is like a shepherd, because he himself had been a shepherd when he was young. He never forgot how dependent he was on the Good Shepherd’s watchful care over him day and night. When he was troubled, he told Him all about it and was led “beside the still waters” for rest and comfort.
You will notice the verse doesn’t say, “He leadeth me beside the swift waters.” No, it is the still waters we need for safety, refreshment and quietness. The Good Shepherd who watches over all who love Him will never lead any into places where the evils of Satan and the world are like wild waters. He leads only into safe and pleasant places.
That’s the way it is with sheep and lambs too. There are times when they need the shepherd to lead them to a quiet place beside a gentle stream or pond to drink, lie down and rest before returning to their grazing.
Have you ever rubbed your hand over the woolly coat of a sheep and noticed how much whiter it is down underneath? This shows how the outer part has been soiled by dust and rubbing against brush and tall grass. This makes it necessary for the wool to be washed thoroughly after it is clipped and before it can be used.
Sheep, of course, don’t realize they are getting dirty and that their wool is going to need to be washed. Sometimes people think that if they are living “good” lives, their sins aren’t serious enough to need washing away before they can enter heaven. But a holy God cannot look on sin, and to reach His lovely, heavenly home, we must first be made clean. But, as the Bible verse says, “Though thou wash thee with nitre [strong cleaner], and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity [sin] is marked before Me, saith the Lord God” (Jeremiah 2:2222For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God. (Jeremiah 2:22)).
If you have ever tried to “turn over a new leaf” and never again do anything wrong, you know it’s impossible. How wonderful it is that the Lord Jesus while on the cross took away all the sins of everyone who will admit they are a sinner, repent of their sins, and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. There is no other way in which you can enter heaven.
It is important to listen to His invitation: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)). Have you accepted that gracious invitation? If so, now you know Him as your own Good Shepherd!
ML-04/29/2007