He Guards Me Well

During the quiet moment before a Sunday worship, the organist played a hymn that was new to me. I turned to the page noted in the hymnal and read the words of the song, "The Lord My Shepherd Guards Me Well", a beautiful paraphrase of Psalm 23. No matter how often we read or hear the familiar 23rd Psalm, it seems to come to me with a fresh message of God's care for us.

Though I should walk in the darkest ways. Through valleys like the grave No evil shall I ever fear; Your presence makes me brave On my behalf your rod and staff Assure me You will save.

This image was familiar to the people who heard Jesus say, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). Unlike a hired person who runs away from danger, the true shepherd stays with the sheep to protect them. "But the hireling, who is not a shepherd...sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees...I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep" (vs 12-14).

No matter what you are doing today, Jesus knows your name, he knows the dangers, but the true Shepherd stays with the sheep and he will not leave your side. You can say with confidence: "The Lord is my Shepherd who guards me well." The Lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who loves to lead us.

Bro Isaac Kapa (Tongaren, Kenya)