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 our peace. Micah 5:2, 4–5 (NIV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1 (NLT)
Lord Jesus, Micah’s prophecy of your coming simply adds to the long list of reasons we love and adore you. Today, I’m especially moved to worship you for being the Shepherd-Savior that you are. Having laid down your life as the Lamb of God, you’ve risen and are now the Standing Shepherd—relentlessly caring, vigilantly protecting, and faithfully providing for us. You never sleep or slumber, because you are always interceding and advocating for us. “Good Shepherd” seems like a profoundly understated title for you, Jesus.
Because of your great love for us, we lack nothing that we need. We don’t get all our wants, but we do have everything we need for life and godliness. I praise you that it’s green pastures and quiet waters to which you are leading us—all for the restoring of our often tired and weary, broken and rebellious souls.
For your glory and our good, you guide us along paths of righteousness and goodness, truth and grace. And even as that journey involves traversing places marked by decay and death, you are with us—and that’s all we really need to know. We don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone.
When enemies are close by and threatening, you are even closer. The nearer we live to you, the stronger the fragrance we emit of your goodness and love. Even in the new heaven and new earth, you will be our Shepherd, leading us to springs of living water (Rev. 7:17). 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 we pray, in your kind and kingly name.
