PRECIOUS SHEPHERD, WE NEED YOU!

PRECIOUS SHEPERD, WE NEED YOU!

 

As we traveled recently up north I noticed the many flocks of sheep along the way.  And the pastures were so green, and sometimes there were still waters nearby.  And there were the new little lambs with their mothers.  It was such a picture of the twenty-third Psalm.  There were the vivid green pastures. Some sheep were lying down and some were drinking beside those still waters.  What a picture?  And I ask the Lord as to what message He would give me, as there were so many different themes there out in those pastures. 

 

I always think of the “Lamb of God,” the perfect Lamb.  And I think of our Shepherd, the “Great Shepherd of the Sheep”( Hebrews 13:20),  who leads us and guides us along in our life journey. And we need Him so much.  We go through so many trials, and where could we go if we did not have Him to lead us and guide us. 

 

I think of that often, as I hear of people going through great times of suffering and pain. My mind cannot fathom the pain that some go through.  In my own family loved ones continue to go through a great struggle and it seems to never end, but oh what peace He brings! I am writing from my heart this evening, as my heart is heavy knowing that many of you are also going through great times of suffering.  On the other side is the joy knowing that another dear one’s suffering is finally over, no more tears or pain and is home with His Lord.

 

I love the old hymn stories, and as I was thinking of our Precious Shepherd, this song came to me, Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, and we need Him so much.  As you look at the words, realize that it is a prayer for Him to come afresh into our lives.  But first let me share with you the story behind this hymn, an amazing story of God’s tender care.

 

“Of all the names and titles given to Jesus, perhaps most beloved is Shepherd, a title Jesus gave Himself in John 10. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and even gives His life for His sheep.  Scripture also says that He knows His sheep by name.

 

On Christmas Eve 1875, Ira Sankey, the gospel singer who accompanied evangelist Dwight L. Moody, was traveling with friends by steamboat up the Delaware River.  He was asked to sing for the other passengers, but instead of singing a Christmas carol, he felt he should sing, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” 

 

Afterward, another passenger asked him if he had been doing picket duty on a particular night at a particular place during the Civil War.  Sankey agreed that he was.  The other passenger said, “I, too, was on duty that night; I was serving in the Confederate Army, and I saw you and raised my musket to take aim.  And then you began to sing.  It was the same hymn you sang tonight.  I remembered my mother singing that hymn to me, and I could not shoot you.”

 

On board the steamboat , Sankey put his arm around the man and introduced him to the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep.”  (“Hymns” by William J. Petersen)

 

SAVIOUR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US

 

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; in Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

 

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray.

 

Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee.

 

Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will; Blessed Lord and only Saviour, with Thy love our bosoms fill: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.” (William H. Bradbury, 1816-1868)

 

The words of this song are indeed a prayer from the heart to our Blessed Jesus, our Precious Shepherd.  I see so many wondering sheep, lost in their way, lost in their pain and sorrow.  We all need His tender care.  He bought us at Calvary with His precious blood, we who have excepted the cross and His sacrifice, asked Him to forgive our sins, belong to Him for all eternity.  Praise the Lord!

 

We ask Him to guard our pathway, as we go through life with Him.  And we ask Him to draw us back into His fold when we stray, and to hear us when we fall on our knees in prayer, asking Him to restore us to the fold.

 

He has promised to receive us, even though we were lost sinners.  Oh, the wonderful grace and mercy that He bestows upon His children!  And that promise extends to eternity when He will receive us home forever with Him.  Oh, the joy of that day when we meet our Shepherd face to face!

 

And He calls us to seek Him, to spend time in prayer, asking Him to guard our way, and then He fills our lives with His love.  Oh, what joy to seek Him early in the day.  But no matter when or where you seek Him, He is there with all His love for you, my friend.

 

“So, Precious Shepherd, we need you!  We ask that You guard the way of those who are reading this right now.  Let them know that You are near and have loved them from the beginning and loved them enough to go to the cross for them. May they feel your presence right now, in Jesus’ Name!”

 

Pastor Sharon