SCRIPTURES: Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (See also Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12; Ezekiel 34:23-24.)

THOUGHT: In Psalm 23, King David starts with a personal declaration: “The Lord is my Shepherd!” The Lord is your Shepherd too, whether you know it or not and whether you declare it or not! Shepherds protect and provide for the sheep. The root of the word extends to mean “companion and friend”. Think about this in your own relationship to God. Shepherds have some sheep that come very close to them, others hang around or behind them, some are found in a pack nearby, still others hang out way back away in the distance or off to the left or right side. They are all the sheep of the shepherd, but their positioning to him is different and of their own ​accord. Where do you position yourself? 

You will soon see that the message of Psalm 23 is that the Lord, your Shepherd, is Present with you, and that He is your Provider, Healer, Purifier and is Mighty in Battle on your behalf. I encourage you to get closer and stay close to the Lord. Sheep that hang out on the outskirts get wounded or lost or worse are easy prey for wolves. Come into the fold and get close to your Shepherd.

NOTE 1: Watch 3 minute video of what happens when the shepherd calls his sheep: “Come Now! Come Now! Come Now!” – https://youtu.be/Coq_grSFlNs – Read also John 10:1-18. The sheep know the voice of the Shepherd.

NOTE 2: Ra’ah has other​ Spellings: Rohi and Ro’eh.

​PRAYER: Lord, Heavenly Father, my Shepherd: I surrender as the sheep that comes when the Shepherd calls. I surrender to follow close to You and not to run off into the distance being led astray or leading others astray. I will stay in Your Presence so that I may receive all that You have planned for me.​ in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!