The Presence Promise: The Great Shepherd – Part 2
Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-7
Key Verse: Hebrews 13:20-21
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Picturing Jesus as our shepherd goes back to the Old Testament. The prophets painted this picture with their writings. Isaiah wrote: “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11). Ezra continues this prophetic visual: “I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd” (Ezra 34:23). Jesus declares that He, indeed, is the fulfillment of these prophecies: “I am the good Shepherd.” The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
All this is simply to remind us that Jesus will watch over us and never leave us. He is the good Shepherd. A good shepherd led, fed, and defended the sheep of his flock. We have One who will care for every need, lead us into His perfect plan for our lives, and defend us when attacked by others. This is a presence promise that we can visualize and, more importantly, count on every moment of our lives.
Notice that our printed key verses mention the phrase eternal covenant. Jesus finalized our peace with God. The Israelites received a temporary covenant, which was renewed by their yearly sacrifices. We have received an eternal relationship—a presence—that Jesus accomplished on the cross and will last into eternity!
Father, thank you for making me part of your flock. I trust in the Good shepherd to be present with me in every moment