[315 words]
Shepherds are a gracious gift from God. God has always known the need for His people to remain faithful to Him, and how difficult, in the face of temptations, it can be for them to do so. Moses, a faithful servant-leader in all God’s house (Heb. 3:2), knew first hand the importance of shepherding for God’s people: Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD ’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd” (Num 27:15-17).
Psalm 78 describes the struggle of God’s people to remain faithful to Him. They found it easier to put their faith in them.selves and the world around them than in the true God who keeps His promises. They had periods of faithfulness, but then they would forget God and His deeds for them (vv. 6-1 l). However, God would not abandon His people in their faithlessness!
Ultimately, God would do for them what they needed the most, He would give them a shepherd, His servant David (v. 70). He took David from the shepherding of literal sheep to become the shepherd of His people, Jacob, Israel, His inheritance (v. 71). David was a gift from God to His people to guide them and help them accomplish God’s purpose for themselves. David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he lead them (v. 72).
Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for being the God full of wisdom, seeing the need of your people for shepherds, and for having compassion on them to provide shepherds like David, who have integrity and skills to lead. We thank you, Father for our shepherds! Help us to honor and obey them in a way that glorifies you. In Jesus name, we pray.
Jay Don Poindexter
Merkel church of Christ
Merkel, TX