DAY 5: JESUS, THE GREAT I AM
As we conclude our time together, I’d like to focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (See Hebrews 12:2.) In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven “I am” statements, revealing different dimensions of His identity. In John 10:11 (NLT), He says, “I am the good shepherd.” This image is particularly reassuring as we step into new and unknown terrain. It reminds us that God is in control, and He’s our way-maker, caretaker, provider, and protector.
The idea of a Shepherd-God is explored in Psalm 23 by David, who was uniquely qualified to write on the topic since he’d been a shepherd himself. In fact, Psalm 23 offers a vivid picture of what it looks like when God says, “I will be with you.”
The psalm begins: “Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd”(Psalms 23:1 TPT). The opening line foregrounds our personal relationship with God and shows how trusting and close this relationship can be. It calls to mind the friendship Moses shared with God. (See Exodus 33:11.)Proximity to the shepherd is everything.A good question to ask yourself is: where am I in relation to God right now? And if you’ve drifted from Him, then draw near again. (See James 4:8.)
Psalm 23 raises a few questions, some of them challenging. For starters: do you believe you need a shepherd to guide you? (See Psalms 23:3.) And will you allow yourself to be led? David, the king of Israel,was a better leader when he chose to live as a committed and wholehearted follower of God.
The entire psalm centres on trusting God for everything. As followers of Jesus, we need wisdom, humility, and maturity to submit to an omniscient and almighty God, who has great plans for our lives. Submission, however, can be difficult when God closes a door or says no to us. In those moments, we’re forced to consider: do I trust that God knows what’s best for me?
The promise attached to following the Lord as our shepherd is that we’ll have all we need. (See Psalms 23:1.) So where do you go when you’re in need?And what do you need today? I encourage you to take those needs to God in prayer.Philippians 4:6 (NLT) says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Yesterday, we touched on the importance of rest in order to go the distance, which is godly wisdom. Psalms 23:2–3 (NIV) says: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.”When we’re worn out, our defences are down, and we’re more vulnerable to giving in to harmful things or abandoning good pursuits. (Esau makes a terrible decision when he’s tired and hungry.) Jesus invites us,“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-ladenand overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” (Matthew 11:28 AMPC).
There’s so much we can glean from Psalm 23 as we launch into the new. It echoes Deuteronomy 31:8 (MSG): “God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; He won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.”
To close, let’s consider Psalms 23:6 (AMPC):“Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” That’s the picture of a blessed life.
Sep 18 2024
