“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23
When I hear the word ‘shepherd’ the picture of a man or woman standing with a flock of sheep or goats comes into my mind. I grew up near a few families who raised sheep in Seward Co. When I worked for them in the hayfield, the aroma of the sheep was something pungent that I never forgot; a Haitian goat has the same aroma. Psalm 23 tells us of the Good Shepherd and in Creole the term is ‘Bon Berger’. While Jesus is our true ‘Good Shepherd’ there are others that God has placed along our life’s journey who have been shepherds to us: parents, pastors, family members and teachers to name a few. Even though I have witnessed this Haitian lady swat a few of the sheep in her care who momentarily went astray, her smile and dedication will tell you that she is a ‘good shepherd’. The children at the school near her are blessed with many good shepherds and donors who provide a hot lunch from Trinity HOPE. The children are happy and blessed for their learning experience here. May you continue to recognize the care you daily receive from our Good Shepherd. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘The King of love my Shepherd is’ that were written by Henry W. Baker in 1868.
“The King of Love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love He sought me and on His shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me. In death's dark vale I fear no ill, with Thee, dear Lord, beside me; Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me. Thou spreadst a table in my sight, Thy unction grace bestoweth; and, oh! the transport of delight with which my cup o'erfloweth. And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never. Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.