Our Security

 What if you turned on the news tomorrow and the top story was - 'World War III has been declared'? What if the draft had been reinstated? What if the government announced that all funds in any retirement accounts would be immediately seized? What if the US dollar lost all of its worth to inflation and even a loaf of bread was now a luxury? Now obviously none of that would be good news - but would that make you lose all hope? Where does our hope lie?

I want to start with one of the most well known scriptures - Psalm 23. It's read frequently in hospital rooms and quoted at many funeral services - any time people are in need of comfort or a reminder that God is in control. Let's look at that familiar passage...

Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (2) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, (3) he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (4) 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.

(5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (6) Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

"I will fear no evil." In his lifetime, David had faced down bears and lions; he fought and killed the giant warrior Goliath; he was chased by King Saul and his army who were trying to kill him. David faced danger and evil - but he found his strength in God as his shepherd.

Were not exactly sure when in his life that David wrote this passage, if he wrote this later in life or as a young man, but he had definitely already gone through some hard times. And David knew the job of shepherd well. A shepherd lives with his flock. He serves as protector, provider, and even physician to his flock. The metaphor David used of God as his Shepherd was a rather intimate one.

I want us to look at that concept here of God as our Shepherd, to understand more about the depth of the type of relationship that God desires with us. And if we think about it, this relationship would imply that David was the sheep in this analogy. I think if we are going to look at God as our shepherd, we first have to look a little at the characteristics of...

I. The sheep

And if you understand sheep - that's not an overly pleasant comparison. And many people have objected to this association - but it is the picture we see here.

The term 'sheeple' was first coined back in the 1940's but I'm sure you've probably heard it used a bit over the last two years. It's a blend of the words 'sheep' and 'people' used to describe those who are docile, compliant, or easily influenced. And of course it's not a very flattering descriptor.

But if we are all sheep following the good shepherd, let's take a rather humbling look at what that might say about us. First of all, an unpleasant fact is that sheep are just...

A. Not that smart

Have you ever seen trained sheep doing tricks? - Probably not. Sheep just aren't that smart. They have a very poor sense of direction and can get lost easily. Now that's a rather biting commentary if I have to cast myself in the role of a sheep - but we do see Isaiah's words from Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)...

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Sheep are not the smartest animals in the animal kingdom. I don't mean to demean or offend anyone by comparing them to sheep. But let's be perfectly clear - if I compare my intellect with God's, saying I'm a sheep is probably being very generous. So... God is the shepherd and I'm the sheep. And that requires me to acknowledge that God knows more than I do and it's to my benefit to follow His ways over my ways.

And another realization here in this analogy, sheep are....

B. Weak

That's not really a compliment... Have you ever heard a news story about 'sheep attacks' on the rise in the North West? Have you ever seen a sign that read "Beware of sheep!"? Sheep are pretty defenseless animals. They don't have fangs or claws; they aren't the fastest of animals; they don't really have any means of protecting themselves. Without the shepherd, they're at the mercy of any wolf or other predator that comes along. But again, if I compare my strength to God's strength - yup, I'm a sheep.

King David understood weakness. Right before Psalm 23 is Psalm 22. Now we're not sure if these chapters were written in this order - but they are placed in this order. So right before we see this picture of submission, trust and comfort in Psalm 23 - we see this in Psalms 22:1-6 (NIV)...

A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? (2) O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. (3) Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.

(4) In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. (5) They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. (6) But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

King David knew weakness; he knew feelings of abandonment - but even in his weakness, he knew where to find hope - as seen in Psalm 23. David had killed wild animals with primitive weapons, he killed Goliath with a sling, he killed his enemies in battle - but David saw himself as weak. Compared to David - am I weak, like a sheep...?

I suppose all things considered, being called a sheep is not all that pleasant. But, does the description of a person who needs guidance, and can't help themselves - has that description ever fit you? I'd have to say 'yes', for myself. Those of us who carry the name 'Christian' do not do so as a statement of strength or independence on our part, but as a declaration of whom we serve; whom we follow. We follow...

II. The Shepherd

Our culture is one that values leaders; it doesn't see being a follower as much of a virtue. And I certainly understand - but I also understand that it takes a great deal of strength to submit our will to God's will. Giving your life to Christ is an act of submission - but not an act of a weak person. Being a follower of Jesus is not an easy thing to do.

Even as I say that many don't see 'following' as a virtue, there's no shortage of people around who are looking for someone to follow. All sorts of personalities have written best selling 'self help' books. People seek 'business gurus' and experts and 'life coaches' looking for direction and guidance for their lives.

In our society, we even have 'social media influencers' who are looked to for direction. What should I wear? What should I drive? What music is in? People can say they don't want a leader - but the way many people follow 'celebrities' and trends certainly says otherwise. But, however cool and trendy people may be - people will let you down.

Let's look at the characteristics of God that make Him the perfect Shepherd. Our Shepherd...

A. Provides comfort

I've often thought while at a funeral, losing a loved one is extremely hard. But for one who does not know God, for one who has no hope of an eternal reunion - losing a loved one is devastating. Losing a loved one is so hard for a believer - I have no idea how an unbeliever manages the eternal loss.

It's extremely helpful, when you're going through a time of great loss - to have someone with you. And many times, you just need them to be there. God knew that we sometimes need someone to physically comfort us. However, people can only do so much. Even the best intentioned person is only human. People will fail us, no matter how hard they may try. That's why God is our ultimate comforter in tough times. It says this in Isaiah 40:10-11 (NIV)...

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. (11) 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.

God will never fail us. He won't be late or unavailable or get stuck in traffic or snow - He will always be there. His timing may be different than ours in difficult situations, and we may often wonder 'how long' will God wait until He acts - but God will never fail us. This passage says that God carries His lambs close to His heart. In addition, it says that 'His reward is with Him' - He will bring blessings for his followers.

God is a strong shepherd who is able to comfort and protect us. He doesn't promise there will never be difficulties in this life, but that He will be there with us to comfort us and sustain us through the midst of those tough times. God is the perfect shepherd because He provides Divine...

B. Guidance

God has provided guidance for His sheep in the form of the Bible, His Word, and through His Holy Spirit who lives in us when we accept Jesus and are baptized into Him. Nevertheless, there are those who resent God's 'intrusion' into their world. They don't want anyone handing down something like the Ten Commandments to 'infringe' upon their freedom or personal choices.

But God didn't give us guidance to take away our freedom but to give us true freedom from the pain of our own sin! The truth is, as the perfect Shepherd, He seeks us out, but He won't force us to follow. God does allow us free will, the choice to reject Him.

Ezekiel 34:15-16 (NIV)

I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. (16) I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

God Himself promises to tend, bind up and strengthen His sheep. But those who believe they are self sufficient, or 'head strong', those full of self-pride - He will destroy. He will bring justice. It's a matter of choice into which group we fall.

Let's say I buy a new car - which I really wouldn't recommend these days... but, anyway. The dealer hands me an owner's manual that has instructions such as changing the oil, keeping the tires properly inflated and so forth. Let's say I resent the intrusion of the car dealer telling me how to service my car. I have the freedom to ignore the owner's manual. If I choose to never change the oil, let all the air out of the tires, pull out a spark plug or two and pour Snapple into the tank - I have that right. The car won't run very long. if at all - but I have that right...

God has provided guidance, it's our choice to accept it or reject it. If we choose to reject that guidance, our lives won't run very smoothly - but God loves us enough to give us that choice. Those who choose to follow that guidance know that it's given out of love for our very best interest. God is the perfect shepherd, because in Him we find can...

C. Contentment

Think back to that first verse we read from Psalm 22... "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." (NIV) Having every need cared for, being completely content - we can find that in our Shepherd. But we have to be willing to learn to accept it. Contentment is found in God - but we need to remember to always look to Him for it. Otherwise, it's very easy to get distracted and become unsatisfied.

God does provide for His children. David knew that God, as his Shepherd, would provide everything he truly needed. We say those words, but do we always believe them? And... do we sometimes confuse our 'wants' and our 'needs'. Just because I may think I need something doesn't mean that God has to provide me with everything on my Amazon wish list. Do we desire for our lives the same things that God desires for our lives?

For a nation whose money says, "In God we trust", we sure put a lot of stock in the money itself rather than in God. Do our actions demonstrate that we really believe that God our Shepherd is all we need? Do we trust God to take care of our needs, or are we tempted to think that we could do a better job of it than He could?

God, our perfect Shepherd, is all that we need. In Him we will find comfort, guidance, protection, contentment, strength, and so much more.

So What?

Back in 1956, missionary Jim Elliot was killed in Ecuador by the tribe he was attempting to reach for Christ. Just a few years before that event, he wrote in his journal, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

Are we seeking 'things' that will not last to the neglect of God's perfect, eternal gift? Are you living your life with a false sense of security? If your faith is in anything other than solely in God, our perfect Shepherd, you will be sorely disappointed.

One final thought about our Shepherd, Jesus' words from Luke 15:4-6 (NIV)...

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? (5) And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders (6) and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

The shepherd left the 99 in the open country and went to find the one lost sheep? Why would he do that? Why would he leave the others to seek out just that one?

At some point, whether you understood it, or recognized it - you were that one lost sheep. You may be one of the 99 now as you sit here, but that one lost sheep was you. He recklessly ran off in search of you. That's how much He cares for you. He can't bear the thought of you being lost and alone, so He ran off to find you.

He still seeks you today. That's the shepherd who comforts us, guides us and provides for us. That's true security. Share that with someone today!