David wrote, “The LORD is my shepherd”.  How wonderful that when we trust Christ, we become the sheep of Almighty God.  According to this verse, the Lord is:

Our Preeminent Shepherd – “The LORD”.  Men are likened to sheep and men who lead them are likened to shepherds.  Joshua was like one.  Moses asked God to set a man over the congregation so that they would not be “as sheep which have no shepherd”, Num 27:16-17.  

Ahab was also like one.  When Micaiah prophesied Ahab’s death he said, “I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd’, 1 Ki 22:17.

Joshua was a great man and Ahab was a king, but the Lord is far above them both.  He is the chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, 1 Pet 5:4, 2:25.  He is called “the great shepherd of the sheep”, Heb 13:20.  And thank God that he is good.

Our Present Shepherd – “is”.  When Moses asked God his name, he said, “I AM THAT I AM”.  When the Pharisees argued with Jesus Christ about whether he was greater than Abraham, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am”, Jn 8:58.  

No matter where you are, he “is”.  No matter what you’re going through, he “is”.  Sheep are not always with their shepherd.  But Jesus is always with us.

Our Personal Shepherd – “my”.  When you trust Christ as your Saviour, Jesus is yours and you are his.  He said, “my sheep… my voice… my hand… my Father’s hand”, Jn 10:27-29.  Can you see how personal our relationship is with him and how personal his relationship is with us?  

SoS 6:3 says, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine”.  Jesus knows your specific needs and desires and deals with you personally like no other sheep in his flock.   

Conclusion: remember each moment of each day that Jesus is preeminent, present, and personal.  He is with you at all times.

Th listen to and read the first sermon in this series, see Peace With Your Shepherd. To listen to and read the next sermon in this series, see He Restoreth My Soul.