The Shepherd And His Sheep (3) Series

TEXT: PSALMS 23:3 (NLT)

"He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name."

The Shepherd is the Sheep source of strength.

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Ps 23:3). The journey of the sheep is often long and weary, especially when green pasture is not near. The shepherd provides strength for the sheep as he is never weak or weary. He is strong and mighty (Ps 24:8). When the weak and weary sheep cry to him, he strengthens them. Psalms 138:3

says: "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul." Apostle Paul declared in Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." The Shepherd is the Sheep's source of strength. Without the Shepherd, the Sheep can do nothing. The Lord will strengthen your weary soul. You will not stop your journey halfway in Jesus name.

The Restorer and healer

He strengthens and restores the soul of the sheep with the refreshing water of the word. The shepherd speaks spirit and life into the soul of the sheep. "... the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). He sends his word to heal the sick. His word is medicine to weary bones. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1Pet 2:24). He took stripes on earth for the healing of the sheep. When the sheep calls the shepherd by his name; sicknesses bow. He is also the great Physician. Sickness and disappointment will not drain your strength in Jesus name.

Strength in Joy and Praise

The joy of the Lord is the strength of the sheep (Neh 8:10). When your provision and peace are assured, then strength manifest through the joy that follows. Thanksgiving and praise are sources of strength to the sheep. David learnt how to praise God early in life and God fought his battles for him. Even when he committed sin, God forgave him and restored the joy of his salvation. The Lord will restore your joy. His joy will be your strength in Jesus name.

Walking in the righteousness of Christ

The shepherd leads the sheep on the paths of righteousness. The right standing sheep brings honour to God's name. The sheep cannot stand before God in his own self righteousness.

He stands because of the righteousness of the good shepherd (2 Pet 1:1, Phil 3:9). We are created to give God pleasure and we cannot please God while living in sin. "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom 8:8). The good shepherd lay down his life to purchase righteousness for the sheep and has endued the sheep with power to live a holy life through the Holy Spirit. The sheep who walks in righteousness through Christ brings glory and honour to the shepherd. Your life will honour God. He will multiple his grace in your life in Jesus name.

PRAYER:

Father, as I walk in your righteousness; restore the joy of my salvation in Jesus

God bless you. Shalom.