Why the Lord Should Be Your Shepherd

by Ken Hope
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The story was told of a preacher in a small town who was known for his extremely long sermon titles. One day he called the local paper to tell them the title for his Sunday sermon. The preacher announced that his sermon would be “The Lord Is My Shepherd”. Not believing that his title could possibly be that short the voice on the other end asked, “And!?” The preacher responded and said, “That will be enough”. When the paper came out that week the preacher’s sermon title read; “The Lord Is My Shepherd And That Will Be Enough!”

Even if these were not the exact words intended by the preacher, truer sentiments have never been expressed. If the Lord truly is our Shepherd, then what else could we possibly desire or need? In Psalms 73:25, David acknowledges the all-sufficiency of his shepherd when he declares, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee”. I am sure we all recall the words of Psalm 23:1 as David proclaims, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”. With the Lord as our shepherd we should learn to be calm, content and confident. Carefully consider the following reasons why everyone should make Jesus Christ their Strength, Savior and Shepherd.

1. Because Man Is Unable To Direct His Own Steps! Jeremiah tells us, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23). When every man does what is right in his own sight (Judges 21:25), he is sure to lead himself to spiritual death (Prov. 14:12).
2. Because Man Stands In Desperate Need Of A Shepherd! To help us understand our need for a shepherd, God refers to us as “sheep” in His Word (Ps. 100:3). Remember, Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes who were “…as sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). To whom shall we go if we will not let Jesus be our shepherd (John 6:68)?
3. Because Jesus Is The Only One Qualified To Be Man’s Shepherd! Who else has ever been called “the good shepherd” (John 10:11)? Name anyone else who claims the title “the chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4). Is there another who has been referred to as “that great shepherd of the sheep” (Heb. 13:20)? The only one qualified to lead us to our Father in heaven is also known as “the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25; John 14:6).

When all is said and done, if the Lord is my shepherd…that will be enough!