Jesus describes Himself as our shepherd when we believe in Him. As our shepherd He provides for us, guides us, restores us, comforts us, and protects us from death. Even though death is a valley, it is still only a shadow, because God has promised that we will be His forever.
John 10:11-16 (WEB) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.”
Psalm 24 revels in the fact that God is the creator, and He should be sought after, clung to, worshiped and praised! The problem is, none of us deserve to ascend His hill and be with Him. None of us are clean, pure, trustworthy, and true. That’s why we need grace. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve.
Some commentators think that this Psalm may have been written to celebrate the coming of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The imagery here is of a majestic God so awesome that the gates and doors must be raised and lifted up just so that He can enter. He is the Lord of armies! He is strong and mighty! He is the King of Glory!
Thought for the day: We can only approach God through Jesus!
Hebrews 10:19-23 (WEB) “Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having a great priest over God’s house, let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water, let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.”
Amen!