“‘Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep …, I went after it, … and rescued the sheep …. When it turned on me, I … killed it.’”
1 Samuel 17:34-35
The youngest of eight brothers, David was given the task of tending his father’s flock of sheep. It was an important job, for the family’s livelihood depended on it.
You can imagine young David leaning against a tree out in the field, alone on a warm, starry night. He has plenty of time to play his harp and sing, quieting and lulling his sheep to sleep. But a sudden chorus of high-pitched bleating alerts David to approaching danger: a bear running off with a sheep in its mouth! Jumping into action, he overcomes it and rescues the terrified animal. He carries the trembling lamb back to the fold and holds it tenderly in his lap, soon settling the flock again with his harp-playing. They’re safe and at rest with their shepherd.
We are safe too, with our shepherd, Jesus. He cares for us as tenderly as David cared for his sheep—even more so! He leads us beside still waters to quench our thirst. He feeds us on His Word to satisfy our hunger. He corrects and protects us when we go astray, and He lulls us with the song of His forever love.
You can imagine young David leaning against a tree out in the field, alone on a warm, starry night. He has plenty of time to play his harp and sing, quieting and lulling his sheep to sleep. But a sudden chorus of high-pitched bleating alerts David to approaching danger: a bear running off with a sheep in its mouth! Jumping into action, he overcomes it and rescues the terrified animal. He carries the trembling lamb back to the fold and holds it tenderly in his lap, soon settling the flock again with his harp-playing. They’re safe and at rest with their shepherd.
We are safe too, with our shepherd, Jesus. He cares for us as tenderly as David cared for his sheep—even more so! He leads us beside still waters to quench our thirst. He feeds us on His Word to satisfy our hunger. He corrects and protects us when we go astray, and He lulls us with the song of His forever love.
Scripture Focus
1 Samuel 17:12-15, 34-37
Insight
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, the best Shepherd ever!
Bible In A Year
- Ezekiel 5-6
- Psalm 133
- Galatians 3-4