The incredible Book of Isaiah not only prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, but also encourages us that He is coming back. It is filled with verses that are meant to point our hearts to Jesus, even in the midst of hardships. It is meant to help us understand that, while our sin was neither planned by God nor desired by Him, He already knew we would stray from His side and so He has made The Way to pay for the sin, and lessen its horrible effects on us and this world. This in no way makes sin ok, but it does speak about a Love that no evil can triumph over. That is, unless we refuse to surrender to this Love.
The Bible speaks about those of us, who have given our lives over to Jesus, as His sheep. Not to insult us but, sheep are dumb…but they are, at least, wise enough to follow their shepherd. And what exactly do shepherds do for their wavering sheep? I so highly recommend this book by W Phillip Keller called “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.” As I read, and have reread, this lovely book, I have grasped more of what our Good Shepherd has done, and continues to do for us, His sheep. And the major thing He has done, of course, is to lay down His life for us. Before we get into Psalm 23, let’s memorize this verse from the Book of Isaiah chapter 53, verse 6:
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isa 53:6 NIV
The iniquity of us all. Apart from Christ, I can’t bear my own guilt and shame. It is too heavy a burden that was never meant to be mine…or yours. Imagine for a moment having to place on your tiny shoulders this overpowering, debilitating load of sin of all humanity? This is exactly what Jesus did for us. My Friends, we do have a very, very Good Shepherd… let’s talk about it this week.
“A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
I get NO affiliate marketing fees for this, but you can find this book on www.christianbook.com
Join me in memorizing 52 verses this year:
January: 1- Jn 3:16; 2- 2Co 5:17; 3- Jas 2:26; 4- Eph 2:10
February: 5- Jn 10:10; 6- Ro 6:23; 7- Rev 21:4; 8- Php 4:13
March: 9- 1Pe 5:7; 10- Jn 8:32; 11- Dt 30:19; 12- Jn 3:30; 13- 2Chron 20:3
April: 14- 2Chron 20:12; 15- 2Chron 20:15b; 16- 2Chron 20:17
May: 17- Ro 8:28; 18- 1Co 13:13; 19- Php 2:12; 20- Mt 5:4
June: 21- Lk 23:42; 22- Jas 4:7; 23- Pr 22:6; 24- Mt 5:3; 25- Jn 14:6
July: 26- Jas 2:19; 27- Dt 31:8; 28- Jn 14:15; 29- Jn 8:11
August: 30- Ro 8:1; 31- Pr 4:23; 32- Pr 18:21; 33- Ps 118:24; 34- 1Jn 4:4
35- Mt 16:24
36- Isa 53:6
<>< Peace, Diane
