“God is my Shepherd” – These words are popularly known to everyone. Countless picture frames decorate many homes around the world that said, “God is my shepherd”. You might have seen these words in the form of the bumper and door frame stickers. David, the man who wrote these words, lived three thousand years ago. He ran for his life for many years. He willingly and knowingly committed adultery. To cover up his adultery, he plotted and killed people. He paid the penalty for mistakes he committed. Buried his sons with much grief. His concubines were ashamed in the broad daylight by his son Absalom. Yet David ended up as the most successful king of Israel. He conquered many nations. God lifted him from a shepherd boy to the king of a nation. He killed 9 feet tall Goliath with a sling and a single stone. Tore the lion apart to protect his sheep. None of his enemies could stand against him.
What is so special about this man, David? He was like us. He committed mistakes. He disobeyed God. We also make mistakes. We stumble and fall. We do what we don’t want to do. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Despite all the shortcomings in life, David knew how to rise and make his life right before God. He knew how to cling to God through the ups and downs of his life. He was quick to reconcile. We might not have committed adultery like David. But we would have lied or boasted before others with pride. God does not differentiate between big and small mistakes. For some of our mistakes, we reap what we sow in this world. David did reap what he sowed. For example, a person who steals might get punished by the law of the land. But still, God opens the gate to Heaven, if we truly repent & reconcile.
Many wrote to us in the past month about the mistakes they have committed in their life and are not sure whether Jesus will forgive them. We encourage them to go through Psalm 51 (by clicking this link), which David wrote after he committed adultery. If God can forgive David, He will surely forgive you. This psalm can be your prayer too.
God is our Shepherd
Who is a shepherd? Most of us who live today in city life may not be aware of what Shepherd does. A shepherd cares for his sheep so much. For him, his sheep are everything. He leads them to green pastures and provides for all their needs. He travels for a long distance in search of green pastures. A shepherd protects his sheep from the attack of every wild animal. At the end of the day, he makes sure none of his sheep were lost. If he finds anything missing, he leaves the rest of the sheep in the pen and decides to search for the lost sheep, until he finds it.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” We are His dear sheep. David started his life as a shepherd boy. He knew how caring our God is when he wrote “God is my shepherd”. There are times in our life we feel lost. When there are tough situations around us, we don’t even remember God exists. We knew when we pray God will come and rescue us. But we do not have the mindset or heart to pray. We feel tired, want to be left alone, filled with fear, bitterness, and anxiety.
That’s when our dear shepherd, Jesus, comes searching for us. He wants to show us how caring He is. Dear friend, are you feeling lost today? You have a good shepherd. He is searching for you. Are you able to listen to His voice? He will never stop searching till He finds you. Please call upon His name. Jesus wants to talk to you today.
Jesus laid down His life for us
Jesus laid down his life on the cross and carried all our life’s burdens on the cross. The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin” Jesus carried all our sins on Himself so that we don’t have to carry them. He wants to make sure all our needs are taken care of so that we lack nothing. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me … and I lay down my life for the sheep.“
It does not matter what is our past. It does not matter what happened in our life before. Today, Jesus wants to speak to you. He wants to forgive all your past mistakes. Jesus has forgiven the murderer who was hanging on the cross next to Him and said, “Today you will be with me in paradise“
Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus was willingly prepared for his crucifixion. He knew the world He came to redeem is going to hate him. Jesus knew He has to go through extreme pain and suffering. But He took all of it on himself for the sake of humanity. To set you and me free from all our burdens of this world. It is His wish that His children are happy and safe. Jesus is a good shepherd, and He laid down His life for the sake of us.
Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Yes. God loved us so much. He was willing to give his only son as a sacrifice on the cross. The Bible says, “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Jesus carried all our sorrows and sadness on the cross. He came to free everyone from depression, anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness, and loneliness. He is a good shepherd and we are His sheep.
Let’s go to the presence of Jesus and pray. Let’s remember the life of Christ, who suffered for us. Let’s thank him from the bottom of our hearts for the sacrifice he made for our life. Let’s receive the freedom Jesus has given us freely. Our hearts do not need to carry the heavy burdens anymore. Let’s pray.
Please place your hand on your heart and call upon the name of Jesus. Pray the below prayer along with us from the bottom of your heart.
Dear Jesus, we are praying along with a dear brother or dear sister. We come before your cross today with humble hearts. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the suffering you have gone through. You carried all our weaknesses and sorrows. You were crushed and beaten for the sake of us. Because of your suffering, we were forgiven from our past mistakes. We are supposed to be punished for our inequities. But you took them all on you and set us free. You are a good shepherd, who laid down your life for the sake of us. Jesus, we praise You from the bottom of our hearts. You alone are worthy to be praised. How can we repay you for the great sacrifice you have made? Please give us the strength to lead a holy life. Fill us with your power. Hold our hands and lead us.
We pray for those who are in financial difficulties. Jesus, please help them. Show them the way to pay back all the debt. Give them a good job. Open new doors in their business. We pray for those who are sick. Please touch them with your nail-pierced hands. Heal them and help them to come back to normal. We pray for those who are going through relationship issues. Please heal their relationship. We pray for all the single moms. Jesus, please surround their homes. Bless their children. Hear their cries and answer them. We pray for those who are old and living lonely life. You have said you will never leave us as orphans. Please encourage them. Walk with them and lead them. Jesus, we believe in you. We put all our trust in you. You are our God. You alone can answer our prayers. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Dear friend, we are praying for you. Jesus, who died for us, is still alive. He still heals and answers our prayers. Let’s continue to thank Him for His glorious sacrifice. May Jesus bless you. We are praying for you.