RECOGNIZING YOUR SHEPHERD

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' "

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron, he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

2 Samuel 5:1-5

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In Chapter 3 of 2nd Samuel, we read where Abner and David came to an agreement. Abner, who was the commander of Saul’s army but now sought to be in alliance with David, promised to convince the Israelites to recognize David as their king so he would be king over all Israel. In return, David asked that his wife, Michal, be returned to him. And so it was but unfortunately Abner didn’t get to see his end of the bargain play out because he was murdered in revenge by Joab at the end of chapter 3.

Still, God’s plan came to full fruition as Chapter 5 opens with “all the tribes of Israel” coming to David at Hebron saying, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' " And so with that, David and “all the elders of Israel” made a “compact…at Hebron before the Lord” and David was “anointed… king over Israel”…a reign that scripture tells us lasted thirty-three years beyond the seven years and six months he had ruled over Judah.

Note that before David was anointed, the people of Israel stated three main points about him. Let’s examine each one.

1. The people of Israel were David’s flesh and blood.

We know that David was an Israelite, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem. And so to the Israelites, he was like them…a brother who followed the same God…the almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Yes…David was family and this helped the Israelites feel comfortable about embracing him as their leader.

2. David was already a proven leader.

David established his bravery and fighting prowess the he defeated the mammoth Philistine warrior named Goliath. He further cemented his reputation through his many battle victories while leading Israel on their military campaigns. Saul might have been king but David was recognized as a leader as well and now worthy of replacing Saul as king.

3. God had appointed David to be king.

It goes without saying that of these three main points, this was the most critical and important. For the Israelites knew that David had been selected by God to be their ruler and shepherd and if it was God’s will for David to be king, then it would be the will of the people of Israel as well. And so it was as David became the leader of all the Israelites in Israel and Judah.

So all of Israel now had a shepherd…one who would protect and watch over them…one who would care for them and provide for their needs. And ironically, this new King David had been a shepherd boy when God chose him to follow Saul.

Indeed, David knew all about being a shepherd. It was in his blood and he had lots of experience in taking care of flocks. And this King David also knew that he had a Shepherd who led and watched over him…a Shepherd who he wrote these words about:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

He guides 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 love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

As we see, David knew who his Shepherd was…the One who led him, guided him, protected him, comforted him and anointed him…the One who had appointed him to shepherd His people. All David had to do to shepherd Israel was to follow the lead of the Lord…who was his Shepherd.

And all we need to do to lead others in the Lord is to do likewise…to follow the lead of the Shepherd.

Well, it’s little surprise that Jesus, God’s one and only Son, would also have words to share with us regarding the matter of being a shepherd. Consider these words He spoke in the Gospel of John:

“I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the Shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

"I am the good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me — just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father — and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.

John 10:11-16

David knew his Shepherd and all his Shepherd did for him. This helped him know how to be a shepherd himself.

As we read the words of our Savior…the good Shepherd…we’re reminded of all we gain from knowing Him in our lives. For He knows us and we know Him…and He protects us from our enemies even if it means He must lay down His life for us. And He does it because He loves us…His sheep…so very much.

Are you a part of the flock of the good Shepherd? If so, follow His lead and allow Him to teach you how to lead others…just as David learned to shepherd from his Shepherd.

And if you aren’t a part of the flock…if you are one of His sheep that are not yet of His sheep pen…then the time is now to join Him and the only one true flock…the flock led by the good Shepherd…our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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