WHO IS YOUR SHEPHERD? 3B

Psa. 23:1-6 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever”.

God is not the shepherd of lions or goats, he is the shepherd of the sheep. No one can be shepherded beyond their persuasion. God cannot violate your will in order to shepherd you. You have a responsibility. This psalm was written by David, he understood what it meant to be a shepherd, however, he also knew his responsibilities.

God cannot bless: –

1. Hearers only people.
James 1:21-24, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” It takes meekness to receive the word of God. It takes meekness also to have the nature of the Lamb. What is meekness? Meekness is so much power under the control of the Holy Spirit. Whatever will bless you must first of all transform you. God re-creates us.

2. A person of imperfect faith.
James 2:20-26, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Imperfect faith is faith without works. Any faith that is not based on the word of God is not a perfect faith. You must not only be a hearer of the word of God but a doer also. Whatever God does always has his signature. God is bound by his glory not to violate his nature.

Pray –

• Father, I thank you for the privilege of knowing you. Grant me the grace to be a doer of your word and not just a hearer only. I ask you to bless me indeed and make me a blessing to my generation. I bless and magnify your precious name. Amen.

TO BE CONTINUED……