Sometimes we know the Bible too well. No, I’m not suggesting that we should stop reading. But when we have heard a verse a thousand times, it can become meaningless. It might sound sweet but has no power. Let me explain what I mean…
King David started out his working life as a farmer. His speciality was sheep. We know that he was very good at his job and approached his work with extraordinary diligence. In fact, on at least two occasions, he risked his very life for the sake of a sheep. Now that’s extreme ownership!
Just for one sheep
Let’s look at 1 Samuel 17:34-35 in the Message: “David said, “I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it.”
David didn’t think, “Well, it’s just one little lamb, dad won’t miss it.” No, he risked everything and defended his sheep with all his strength. He would not allow anyone or anything to hurt or harm any one of those defenceless creatures.
So when David declared in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd”, he had a very clear picture in mind of what God is like. He was saying, “There are no lengths that my Lord won’t go to protect my life. He will do whatever it takes to keep me safe. I am in good hands. I can rest in the knowledge that He has my back.
How far will God go?
So what does that mean for you and me? I don’t know what you’re facing but I do know that God’s got you in the palm of His hands. If David, a mere man, would go to such lengths for stupid sheep, how far will God go to look after you?
Most of us have a romantic view of the role of shepherds. But David knew that a shepherd worked tirelessly, night and day, through soaring heat and freezing nights, just to protect the flock. What are you contending with right now? What “lions” or “bears” are threatening your well-being?
Know that even if it feels as though you’re in the jaws of danger, the Lord is your shepherd. He has this. He has not and will not forget you. He has not and will not forsake you. And He has not and will not fail you. He is your faithful God.
Who is He to you?
Recently, I realised that I was carrying a whole host of cares. I was carrying the world on my shoulders and was weighed down by my responsibilities. In short, I felt spent. As I sought answers from heaven, God showed me that I had veered out of His will. I thought I had to make everything happen, I believed I had to work everything out. How wrong I was.
The way God took the load back off me was by revealing Himself to me as my Director in Chief! That means that the buck stops with Him. Every project I lead in His. I’m His responsibility. He is in charge, not me. What a relief!
Once I had off-loaded my burdens in prayer, new joy started to bubble on the inside. The weariness was replaced with a refreshing and the loads became a lightness in my spirit. The Lord has your world in His hands too. He is your father, your friend, your confidant, your guide, your mentor, your defender. No-one believes in you as much as He does.
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God richly bless you for this insight..I am soo blessed by this Word..
I am so glad that this blessed your heart.