The Lord My Shepherd
Jehovah Ra’ah

Psalms 23:1-2 NKJV
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”

Jehovah Ra’ah or “the God who goes beside us,” better know as our Shepherd, is one of the characteristics of God I love dearly. We have been characterized as sheep. Sheep are often scared, prown to wonder off, and they require a Shepherd that can keep them in line and provide for them the basic needs of life.

Sheep are extremely difficult to train. They are very slow animals who cannot escape predators; they have no camouflage and no weapons for defense such as claws, sharp hooves, or powerful jaws. So, they have to trust a Shepherd.

Likewise, within our own nature there is a strong tendency to go astray (Romans 7:5; 8:8), following the lusts of our flesh and eyes and pursuing the pride of life (1 John 2:16).  We tend to be like sheep, consumed with worry and fear, following after one another. By not following our Shepherd’s voice.

The Shepherd must lead his sheep because they cannot be driven. If a sheep wanders off, the Shepherd will leave the flock in charge of his helpers and search for the lost sheep.

Psalms 23:1-3 tells us that the Shepherd meets the sheep’s every need: food, water, rest, safety, and direction. When we as believers follow our Shepherd, we, too, know that we will have all we need. We will not lack the necessities of life, for He knows exactly what we need.

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:25–28).

Prayer:
Lord, be my Shepherd, lead me, guide me, feed me on the truths of Your word. If I get lost, bring me back, when I’m afraid sustain me, love me, speak to me. Lead me beside still waters, restore me. In all situations, if You are there, I will make it through.