3/7/2026
"As the Father knows Me, even so I know
the Father; and I lay down my
life for the sheep."
John 10:15
Yesterday, after fueling up with the Word of God, I put on my work gloves, grabbed my yard tools, and I worked the better part of the day outside. Physical labor, although unkind to lazy muscles from winter slumber, is so energizing, and playing in the dirt is something I enjoy. As a kid I used to love making mud pies, but I had no such luxury today as there was much work to be done. I love getting my hands dirty, working the soil, so later on I can see the fruit of my labor spring forth an abundant harvest. It was a good day and much was accomplished.
Today I enjoyed a quiet, peaceful, and restful Sabbath day. I woke up around 3 am to let Alex, my cat, outside, as he's an early morning riser who enjoys making his visits around the neighborhood before circling back around to the field that lies dormant beside my home. He's a natural born mouser, so he enjoys waiting and watching, just as the sun rises and unsuspecting field mice come out to play. It's the highlight of my neighbor's day when she sees him stalking his prey. It seems as if the little fellow brightens many lives, and I am so grateful that God sent him to my doorstep for his forever home. Although with spring around the corner, I have been seeing less of him inside lounging on my bed, but he's a free spirit, and he knows where to come if the need arises. I know Abba watches over him, as He watches over all of His furry creatures.
Since I was up already I decided to turn on the early morning Sabbath service from Kehilat HaCarmel in Israel. Since the alerts have been sounding continuously, everyone needs to stay close to bomb shelters, so the service was abbreviated somewhat. Pastor Danny shared from Psalm 23, a favorite passage of scripture that many people have memorized. His dad was a shepherd, so growing up he knew firsthand how to interpret David's psalm to make it relevant for today. Jesus always taught in parables, using examples common to life, as did David when he watched his flock on a mountainside communing with God. There's an author I enjoy, Phillip Keller, who wrote several books based on his life as a shepherd, comparing a shepherd's role in caring for his flock with that of Jesus, our Great Shepherd. David must have spent many hours alone in the fields, sitting on the hillside guarding his sheep, communing with God, growing in wisdom and understanding. In Psalm 23, David has a deep knowledge of how our Shepherd watches over us, His flock, as he watches over and protects his sheep.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). The Shepherd takes care of His sheep by providing shelter, by feeding them, and protecting them from predators. His sheep know His voice and respond to Him. In John 10:14 Jesus says I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. When shepherds brought their sheep to the well for watering, the different flocks would mingle together, but when the shepherd called his sheep by name, they would recognize their shepherd's voice and follow him (John 10:3). The sheep know that the shepherd takes care of all their needs.
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters" (verse 2). Sheep are very timid, and they become tense and fearful if they suspect any hint of a threat. They are unable to lay down or have peace until certain things are done. They must be fed, be free of parasites, and there can be no contention or quarreling among the sheep so they can relax and rest. The shepherd makes certain that all these needs are met, so they will lay down. It's interesting to me that in spite of all the alerts in Israel of incoming rockets, missiles, or drones where the people must hurry to safety in a limited amount of time, never knowing for certain if the their shelter will be hit, the people are able to find peace and rest. Only God, our loving Father, our Good Shepherd can bring them, and us, to a place of rest and peace in the midst of storms. We look to Him from whom our help comes from.
"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (verse 3). After a night of sleep and rest, the sheep are ready to head back out to the pastures where they will graze during the day. The shepherd guides them along the way that is safe, avoiding hazardous ravines or areas where predators are known to hang out. He must lead them, because if sheep are left alone, they will wander off, and either get lost or fall into some disaster. They depend on the presence of the shepherd to guard and protect them. Proverbs 4:25-27 says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left. Remove your foot from evil."
"Yea, 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" (verse 4). Like a shepherd guides his flock along the well trodden path other flocks have roamed, providing a sure path of safety, so the Good Shepherd guides us along the straight and narrows pathways, remaining beside us, even in times of struggle and hardship. The Israeli people certainly understand what it means to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, as they are continuously being fired at, but they know that God will protect them. Huddled in the shelters, the children feel safe, because their parents are there with them. The parents reassure the children of God's unfailing love, so they do not fear. Even though the sheep walk through deep, narrow, often dangerous valleys where there are animals lurking in the shadows to prey on them, they know that the shepherd will guard them and keep them safe from any danger. The shepherd carries a rod to keep predators away, and he carries a staff with a crooked end that helps to pull the sheep back onto the path, if they veer off or become caught in the brush. These tools are signs of strength and protection.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over" (verse 5). As the shepherd herds his sheep to fertile grasslands where they can feed, there may be predators watching in the trees, but the sheep know they will be protected, because they are loved. Although the enemy is encamped around about Israel, the Good Shepherd prepares a feast for the people, and the enemy cannot touch them. We have peace in our homes even when there may be chaos outside, where we can commune with our Father knowing He is in the midst of us. The shepherd anoints the sheep's head with oil to protect them from insects and parasites that burrow down into their skin and into their nasal passages. It soothes wounds and heals scabs, and it acts to soothe them and keep them peaceful. In ancient days, it was customary for the host whose home one was visiting to anoint the visitor's head with oil as a sign of blessing. An overflowing cup suggests abundance and blessing, and it represents the fact that our God doesn't just provide for our needs, but He blesses us in abundance.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (verse 6). In these closing lines, David is expressing the goodness of our God in providing for our needs always, and the blessing we will receive will be eternal life spent with Him. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!
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