Be a pure sheep for your shepherd

Good morning [subscriber:firstname | default:Beloved],

Psalms 23 is most likely one of the best known psalms for Christians. At the outset, the LORD tells you that He is your shepherd and that you shall not want (Psalms 23:1). The following lines explain all the benefits the Shepherd’s sheep enjoy: among other things, rest in green pastures, guidance to peaceful waters, restoration of the soul, protection, justification, victory over adversaries, sharing of happiness and grace in daily life, etc.

One day, while reading this passage, I asked the Lord: “Is it true that happiness and grace accompany us every day? Is it true that we can rest in green pastures and experience the still waters every day?” He said yes. So then, why don’t most Christians experience the truth of Psalms 23? The answer is found in John 10:14, 27: « I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. (…) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me ».

I then understood that the graces, blessings and favors contained in Psalms 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd (…)“. Yes, Jesus is the good Shepherd and He defines what characterizes His sheep: He knows them, they know Him; they hear His voice and follow Him fall under a condition.

Under what circumstance do you walk with someone without knowing him/her? It is when you discover a side of the person that you did not know. For instance, when you discover the betrayal of someone you thought was loyal, you will say to yourself that you didn’t really know them. Many people come to church, weep in worship before God on Sundays, but beat their wives when they get home or embezzle money from the company they work for, etc. God will tell them on the Day of Judgment: « ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’» (Matthew 7:23). He calls them goats in Matthew 25:31-33, 41.

God must know the real you. If you are a sheep of the Lord, you must come to Him, just as you are, with your strengths and weaknesses, and say to Him with a sincere and honest heart: “Lord help me, transform me”.

A sheep hears the voice of the shepherd and follows him. S/He one who hears the Word of God, who is honest before the Lord but does not follow Him is not yet a sheep. Many Christians do not serve God, but are always trying to use God. They do not follow Jesus, but they rather want Jesus to follow them.

Where then is Jesus going for us to follow Him? « Jesus went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. », reveals Luke 8:1. He went from place to place doing good and healing all those who were under the power of the devil,” he said. Acts 10:38. The salvation of souls: this is the main concern of the Lord Jesus. He expects you to tell people about Him, to announce the Good News of the Kingdom. Instead of Him following you in your quest for marriage, a job, a child, financing, etc., follow Him where He goes! 

Do not seek to use Him but seek to serve Him! It is difficult to experience all of Psalms 23 if these conditions are not met! 

“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me”, says the Master in Mark 8:34. Beloved, give up your roadmap and follow Christ’s roadmap. I don’t know what country you are in right now, I don’t know if it is your home country or city or a foreign country. Wherever you are reading me from, don’t just look for benefits for your own life, but look for the good of the nation you live in, the company you work in, etc. Speak of the love of the Lord to those around you, even if they have a different religion from you; preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Follow Jesus wherever He goes. Then you will experience Psalms 23 in its entirety. As you follow Jesus, you will find that He will grant you what your heart desires (Psalms 37:4). Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with you and guide you on the right path. You will not want for anything because He is your Shepherd and He cares for you. Be a sheep for your Shepherd, Christ!

May God bless you !