Jesus Is Enough
Last week we took a look at “I shall not want” from the point of view of provision or being provided for. This week we will take a look at “I shall not want” from the point of view that Jesus as “My Shepherd” is all we need. We can have contentment.
Keep in mind that sheep know their master’s voice or sound. Shepherds all use a sound to call their sheep. If 2 or 3 flocks were together and the shepherd called for his/her flock, the sheep would all go to their specific shepherd! They know their shepherds voice. The sheep have never gone to the wrong shepherd. We must also know our shepherd’s voice so that we can follow him.
The expert care of Jesus is all we need to desire. We can be content with His management of our lives (sometimes this is hard to say even though I know it’s true).
Let’s look at a story from Charles R. Allen’s book “God’s Psychiatry” to see the difference in just having a verse memorized and knowing the Lord as our Shepherd:
Allen talked about a story about an old man and a young man on the same platform before a vast audience of people.
A special program was being presented. As a part of the program each was to repeat from memory the words of the Twenty-third Psalm.
The young man, trained in the best speech technique and drama, gave, in the language of the ancient silver-tongued orator, the, words of the Psalm.
“The Lord is my shepherd …” When he finished, the audience clapped their hands and cheered, asking him for an encore so that they might hear again his wonderful voice.
Then the old gentleman, leaning heavily on his cane, stepped to the front of the same platform, and in a feeble, shaking voice, repeated the same words- “The Lord is my shepherd. . .”
But when he was seated -no sound came from the listeners. Folks seemed to pray. In the silence the young man stood to make the following statement:
“Friends,” he said, “I wish to make an explanation. You asked me to come back and repeat the Psalm, but you remained silent when my friend here was seated. The difference? I shall tell you. I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd”
Psalm 23 tells us that above all the strife and fears, the hungers and weaknesses of mankind, there is a Shepherd. — A Shepherd who knows his sheep by name, who is abundantly able to provide, who guides and protects.
The Twenty-third Psalm gives us the assurance that we are not “alone”.
David knew that God was the foundation for him in green pastures, beside him in still waters, before him at the table, behind him pursing him with goodness and mercy, beyond him preparing a heavenly home, and with him all the while as the good shepherd. David had been given more than he deserved.
We know that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39), we know that we have the mind of Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20).
We can know the Shepherd
| JESUS | Verse | Other Verses |
| WITH US | Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:31) | Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 20:1
Matthew 28:20 |
| FOUNDATION FOR US | Green pastures of safety (Psalm 23:2) | Ephesians 6:15
Ephesians 2:20 |
| BESIDE US | As you received Jesus, walk with Him (Colossians 2:6) | John 10:27 |
| WITHIN US | It is Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20) | 1 Corinthians 3:16
John 14:17; 1 John 3:24 |
| BEFORE US | It is the Lord who goes before you (Deuteronomy 31:8) | John 14:6
Ephesians 2:10 |
| AROUND US | The Lord is near to all who call upon Him
(Psalm 145:18) |
2 Chronicles 16:9
Zephaniah 3:17 |
| UPON US | The Spirit and glory of God rests upon you
(1 Peter 4:14) |
Acts 1:18
|
| AFTER US | PURSUING US WITH GOODNESS AND MERCY | Isaiah 52:12; Isaiah 58:8
|
| AHEAD OF US | PREPARING A PLACE FOR US (John 14:1-3) | Deuteronomy 1:13
|
How has knowing the Shepherd made a difference in your life? Comment below.
