Today and tomorrow I will be featuring a young writer - Michael Brendel II. He is 16 years old and speaks to the heart in what I believe was originally 8 posts...I've combined it into two. I hope you enjoy these - I certainly did...
"The Shepherd"...
S---A Shepherd of Security and Safety (Psalm 23:4) We don't have anything to fear with Jesus as the Shepherd. He will Safely guide us through life AND death. He will safely lead us to Heaven! The Bible tells us that there is no better Security than to be in Jesus' hands. (John 10:27-29). With Jesus as the Shepherd, Whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1) The Shepherd has promised to be with us all the time and keep us Safe and Secure in His arms. (Isaiah 43:2, Deuteronomy 33:27).
The song says, "Under His wings---Oh, what precious enjoyment! There will I hide 'til life's trials are o'er. Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me! Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore! Under His wings! Under His wings! Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, safely abide forever."
Remember the promise of Isaiah 26:3 today: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." We're safe with Jesus, the Great Shepherd.
H---A Shepherd of Healing (He restoreth my soul, Psalm 23:3) Our Shepherd is a Healer. He heals our soul from Sin (1 Peter 2:24), He heals our soul from Sorrow (Psalm 147:3), and He'll heal the Spirit of our souls (Psalm 51:10) as well. This Shepherd holds the Balm of Gilead.
"To cheer the broken-hearted, to heal the sick and lame, to save the souls of sinful man---for all of these He came! Jesus! Great Physician! Jesus! Matchless Friend! Jesus! Gentle Shepherd! Jesus! Our Healer!"
E---A Shepherd of Encouragement (Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, Psalm 23:5) Our Shepherd is an Encouraging Shepherd. He is there to be our light in darkness (Micah 7:8), our helping hand in failure (Psalm 37:24), our stronghold in trouble (Nahum 1:7), and our "Greater is He that is in you" in adversity. (I John 4:4) No wonder, then, that David, writer of Psalm 23, encouraged himself in His Shepherd. (I Samuel 30:6). You'll find all of these things, and more, at the table that the Shepherd prepares.
"Has a sorrow come upon you that no other soul can share? Does the burden seem too heavy for your aching heart to bear? There is One who'll love and comfort if you'll trust Him with your load; there's a burden-bearer ready if you'll give Him an abode. Lo, His precious promise reaches to the depths of human woe---that however deep the waters---they shall NEVER overflow!" (Isaiah 43:2)
P---A Shepherd of Provision (The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want, Psalm 23:1) This Shepherd is a Providing Shepherd. He has everything His sheep need at His disposal, and he is more than willing to provide His sheep with those things. A few things that the Shepherd provides are: Spiritual Food (John 6:51, John 7:37), Physical Food (Psalm 104:14), Spiritual Rest (Mark 11:29), Physical Rest (Psalm 127:2, Proverbs 3:24), Spiritual Riches (Matthew 6:20), and Physical Riches (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Our Shepherd is concerned about our welfare. He knows each need and can and will provide for His sheep. (Luke 12:32)
"Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee, trust Him when thy faith is small. Trust Him when to trust Him simply seems the hardest thing of all. Trust Him; He is ever faithful, trust Him, for His will is best; trust Him, for the heart of Jesus is the only place of rest. Trust Him then, through cloud and sunshine, all thy cares upon Him cast---Til the storms of life are over, and the trusting days are past!"
(Tomorrow I will post the remaining 4 "letters"...) (Thank you, Michael, for allowing me to share this with my readers - God bless you!!!)
