A Prayer About a Standing Shepherd
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”… He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. Micah 5:2, 4-5
Most faithful and caring Lord Jesus, there are so many reasons to love and worship you. First and foremost, you are God, who, along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, are alone worthy to be worshipped with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. That I would desire, or even be tempted, to worship any other god, is the most irrefutable confirmation that I am a broken, sinful man, desperate for the salvation that is by grace alone through faith alone. I am such a man, and I do enjoy just such a salvation.
Today, I’m especially drawn to love and adore you, Lord Jesus, for being the kind of shepherd-Savior that you actually are. Having laid down your life as the Lamb of God, you have risen and are now the standing shepherd-relentlessly caring… vigilantly protecting… faithfully providing… for me,and the whole flock of God. You never sleep nor slumber in your care for us. Be praised and worshipped, oh good and engaged Shepherd.
Jesus, because of your great love for me in the gospel, I lack nothing that I need. I don’t get all my wants, but I do have everything I need for life and godliness, and a whole lot more. I praise you it’s green pastures and quiet waters to which you lead me-all for the restoring of my tired, weary, broken, rebellious soul.
For your glory, and my good, you guide me along paths of righteousness, goodness, truth and grace. And even as that journey involves traversing places marked by decay and death, you are with me… and that’s all I really need to know. I don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone… I find so much comfort in that.
You nourish me all the time, even when enemies are close by and threatening. Your generous anointing overflows for the blessing of others. To follow you is to be followed by the fragrance and fruit of your goodness and love. Even in heaven… even in the new heaven and new earth, you will be our shepherd, leading us to springs of living water (Rev. 7:17). Indeed, your greatness, Jesus, will reach to the ends of the earth and we will always live securely, for you ARE our peace, now and forever.
So very Amen, I pray… we pray, in your great and gracious name.