WHO IS YOUR SHEPHERD? 2A – (FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE)

One of the things we must learn to do and do very well is to say ‘Thank you, Lord’. Recognize the hand of God any time you see it and always say thank you. We had earlier established that it is not everybody that says the Lord is my shepherd, that has the Lord as their shepherd according to Matt. 7:23. We also noted that you cannot be shepherded beyond the level of your persuasion. In addition, we stated that if the Lord is not the Lord in all, he cannot be the Lord at all. And if he is not the Lord in all, he cannot be the Lord, your shepherd. Please take note of these, they are fundamental.

At the end of this series, you will understand Psalm 23 better. It is a well-known Psalm, in fact, the most recited Psalm but only very few people have a deeper revelation of the Psalm which was written by a consummate worshipper, David. Worshippers operate by revelation; heavens open to them so they see far. David was himself a practical shepherd, so he could relate. Take note that David never said the Lord is our shepherd but the Lord is my shepherd.

Psa. 23:3, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake”. The Hebrew word for name is ‘shem’ which connotes reputation, name, glory. God has a reputation. He does whatever he does with his signature. The nature of God is always manifest in what he does. God does not violate his nature in his dealings with man.

Eph. 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” God’s power is infinite. He can do and undo. However, he does not jump to do things outside of man. His power flows through you to get things done for you. God does not do things arbitrarily. The amount of benefit you derive from God is highly dependent on your level of connection to him. You can, however, resist his move and reduce it to nothing.

Eph. 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will”. God works all things according to the counsel of his will. God has a will and he has a purpose. There is the will of God and there is also the will of man. God gave man free will so that he can choose. Your will is your right to choose; it is the power to choose and God cannot violate your will in order to help you. One of the things that man started doing after the fall is to start looking for excuses. Man began to pass buck – “it was the woman you gave me” (Gen 3:12). Man started blaming God for what God intended to be a blessing to man. Part of the image and likeness of God in man is the ability to choose – the will that God gave to man. It is that will that man is now using against God in everything.

Pray –

• Heavenly Father, I thank you for the privilege of knowing you. I celebrate your grace that has made it possible for me to have the right to choose. I surrender my will to you and that your perfect will be done in every area of my life in Jesus’ name.

TO BE CONTINUED…….