My Shepherd!
(Frank Hall)
I shall not want!" Psalm 23:1
The LORD JESUS is everything
to my needy soul!
HE is my majestic King, the imperial
One who graciously rules my heart and
my life with HIS sovereign scepter
of righteousness.
HE is my Prophet, the one who effectually
teaches GOD'S Word to my soul.
HE is my great High Priest, my Mediator,
the one who intercedes with GOD on my behalf.
And HE is JEHOVAH-ROHI,
the LORD my Shepherd!
My glorious Shepherd is HE who
graciously forces my soul to lie down
and rest in the green pastures of GOD'S
goodness and love. HE ever leads my soul
beside the still waters of satisfaction,
peace, and prosperity.
When, in selfishness, carnality and sin,
my flesh is smitten with desire for the poisonous
fodder of this decaying world, and I wander from HIM--
HE does not cast me off. Rather, HE faithfully
corrects my sin and graciously restores
my soul to HIMSELF.
HE perpetually leads me in the paths
of righteousness for HIS name's sake.
All this and more, my merciful Shepherd
does for me freely by HIS grace!
My Shepherd surpasses, in every way
and at all times, all the would-be
shepherds of this world.
Never slumbering, HE protects me perfectly
from all harm with HIS omnipotent hand
of sovereign power!
He feeds, sustains, and fills my hungering
soul out of the abundance of HIS infinite store!
Though . . .
the way is rough and long,
the path winding and narrow,
the days dark and dismal,
the valleys bleak and dreary--
HE gently leads me in infinite mercy
and unfailing wisdom, ever guiding me
to that land above that abounds
with milk and honey!
Brothers and sisters, our Shepherd will
stop at nothing to bring every one of HIS
beloved sheep home to Heaven. HE says
of HIMSELF,
Shepherd gives HIS life for the sheep."
(John 10:11)
Oh precious revelation of grace!
Sheep of HIS fold, I urge you to pause and
consider the death of the good Shepherd!
Behold with wonder the sacrifice of your Shepherd!
HE died--
that you might live forever!
HE esteems us more precious
than HIS own life!
Oh blessed Shepherd, thank YOU for taking
our sins to YOURSELF and putting them
away by YOUR own precious blood.
Children of GOD, let us ever sing
with brother David,
I shall not want!"
CHRIST'S sheep lack nothing for time and eternity--
because HE is their all sufficient Shepherd.
received, grace upon grace!" (John 1:16)
The LORD our Shepherd will withhold no
good thing from the sheep of HIS pasture.
In HIM we have all the fullness of GOD'S
free salvation, which can never be lost.
We receive the fullness of HIS grace
in time, because we possessed that
very same fullness in HIM from
the foundation of the world.
We are the possessors of . . .
everlasting life,
perfect righteousness,
eternal redemption,
pardon from all our sin,
impeccable holiness,
unending peace, and
unalterable acceptance with
GOD our FATHER!
We lack nothing, because in HIM
we have all things. HIS boundless
provision for our souls has no end.
HIS provision is perfect, infinite, and
everlasting.
GOD help us to depend on HIM . . .
HIS fullness,
HIS mercy,
HIS grace,
HIS power,
HIS all-sufficiency as the LORD our SHEPHERD.
to HIS riches in glory by JESUS CHRIST!"
(Philippians 4:19)
"Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need!" (Hebrews 4:16)
the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need!" (Hebrews 4:16)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published John Newton's two page insightful letter,
"The call to the ministry".
Must reading for any who aspire to be Bible teachers in any capacity!
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