Provision for the Sheep

Psalms 23:5

Occasionally, the Bible shows us a side of God that is quite motherly. Jesus came from God’s bosom; a term we don’t often equate with fathers (John 1:18), and Jesus was referred to as “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), another ‘soft’ example. No matter how old we get, our mothers keep right on being ‘motherly’, and this verse in the Shepherd’s Psalm speaks volumes toward that fact.

Moms are always making sure that the kids have plenty to eat. My mother did it to me (and still does) and I watch as my wife does the same thing with our two kids. She not only will not allow them to skip a meal, she wants to make sure that they eat plenty at that meal, and every mother sends enough money with their child when they go out with someone else, “in case you get hungry”.

God prepares a table for the sheep, “in the presence of mine enemies” (Psalms 23:5). Only a parent’s love is more concerned with whether or not you eat than with the fact that your enemies are watching. God seems content with us just eating, as if He is assuring the believer, “You eat; I’ll take care of the enemies”.

Part of His provision for us in the presence of a world full of turmoil is His healing power. When the shepherd would settle the sheep down for the evening in a safe place, he would go around the flock and check each sheep for injuries. As he inspected each individual sheep, he could give special care to their needs, careful to apply the salve to whatever might need it. He also carried a horn of oil with him to anoint the sheep if necessary.

The anointing of the sheep has little to do with God smearing His Spirit on you for service or a sermon. There is certainly anointing attached to the doing of God’s work, but in this scripture it spoke of the shepherd applying oil to the face and head of the sheep in order to keep the flies off of them. The ‘fly’ in the Bible is most commonly a type of demonic spirits. The Greek rendering for Beelzebub is “lord of the flies”, and it was this pseudo-deity that Jesus was accused of being linked with (Matthew 12:24). When the Good Shepherd anoints us with His Spirit, it is to keep the demonic powers of lying and accusation from annoying us. Appeal to His Holy Spirit for relief from these pests.

Finally, the provision speaks of abundant grace and favor with the phrase, “my cup runneth over”. This is not a “just enough” blessing; this is a “too much” blessing! When the Shepherd provides for His own, He does so with as much as they will take. Paul said that we can receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness. If we do, we shall “reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). Don’t receive “enough”, receive the cup running over.

Prepare for His provision today. He will feed you even as your enemies watch it happen. He will smear His comforting Holy Spirit on you, even as all of hell comes against you. He will pour out His goodness and favor until it spills over and affects those around you. He is your Good Shepherd; let Him be truly good today.

God’s Gifts Bring Provision

Luke 2:1-15

The story of the birth of Christ is probably the most famous story in the world. Celebrated as Christmas, this birthday marks the arrival of God in human flesh; bringing joy and peace on earth, and goodwill from God to man. As great as this story is, we sometimes miss the lengths to which God goes to provide hope and provision, not only to the world through the gift of Jesus, but even to Mary and Joseph in their hour of need.

The Magi, or Wise Men, that come to the birth of Jesus are a vital part of the story of Christ’s birth. Often misplaced at the manger, these men traveled the farthest to see the child, and were still on the road when the shepherds gathered around the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. It wasn’t until nearly two years later that they arrived, bearing gifts from the Far East. Luke 2:11 confirms that when they found Jesus, He was “in the house”, not the manger and that He was a “child”, not a baby.

Upon arrival in Palestine, the Wise Men (who could have numbered more than the traditional 3), went to the palace of Herod to inquire as to where they might find the boy. Herod knew nothing of the arrival of Jesus, but is instantly driven to jealousy at the prospect of a Jewish king. At the instruction of the scribes, Herod sends them to Bethlehem. Isn’t it interesting that the scribes knew when and where the Messiah was supposed to be born, yet they refuse to believe that Jesus is the one?

The Wise Men give the family of Jesus three gifts, all which attest to a different aspect of Christ’s purpose on earth: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold speaks of the royalty of Christ, identifying Him as King of kings. Frankincense was used in the sacrificial offerings, and thus spoke of the divinity of Christ, seeing Him as God worth worshipping. Myrrh was the original antiseptic of the ancient world, often used to bring relief to people in pain and to embalm the dead. This spoke of Jesus’ sufferings which He would take for all mankind.

Joseph and Mary were considered poor, even for that time. We know this because Luke tells us that when Mary brought the baby Jesus into the temple to be dedicated, she brought turtledoves or pigeons as her sacrificial offering. Leviticus 12 allowed this for the poorest of God’s people, while the wealthiest were to bring a bullock. The gifts of the Magi must have seemed like a fortune (as they probably were) to these humble people in Bethlehem.

God had a greater purpose in the arrival of the Magi than to show forth the three-fold aspects of Christ. When Herod learned of Jesus’ birth, he ordered all of the baby boys age 2 and under “in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof” to be slaughtered (Matthew 2:16). Jesus and His family need to be out of there, now that the attack is on to kill Him. Before the arrival of the Magi, there would have been no funds available to make a long journey into Egypt to escape the sword of wrath, but now they have a surplus of funds, making it possible.

Notice that God is not responding to Satan’s attack; but rather Satan is responding to God’s Plan. The Magi began their journey a full two years before Satan even figured out that Jesus was on the earth. Once the enemy made a move on Jesus, it was too late, as God had given provision for the journey of protection. When you see Satan rear his head in your life, rejoice! If Satan is moving, it is because he has just learned of God’s provision and grace that is on its way. Hallelujah!

Provision for the Sheep

Psalms 23:5

Occasionally, the Bible shows us a side of God that is quite motherly. Jesus came from God’s bosom; a term we don’t often equate with fathers (John 1:18), and Jesus was referred to as “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), another ‘soft’ example. No matter how old we get, our mothers keep right on being ‘motherly’, and this verse in the Shepherd’s Psalm speaks volumes toward that fact.

Moms are always making sure that the kids have plenty to eat. My mother did it to me (and still does) and I watch as my wife does the same thing with our two kids. She not only will not allow them to skip a meal, she wants to make sure that they eat plenty at that meal, and every mother sends enough money with their child when they go out with someone else, “in case you get hungry”.

God prepares a table for the sheep, “in the presence of mine enemies” (Psalms 23:5). Only a parent’s love is more concerned with whether or not you eat than with the fact that your enemies are watching. God seems content with us just eating, as if He is assuring the believer, “You eat; I’ll take care of the enemies”.

Part of His provision for us in the presence of a world full of turmoil is His healing power. When the shepherd would settle the sheep down for the evening in a safe place, he would go around the flock and check each sheep for injuries. As he inspected each individual sheep, he could give special care to their needs, careful to apply the salve to whatever might need it. He also carried a horn of oil with him to anoint the sheep if necessary.

The anointing of the sheep has little to do with God smearing His Spirit on you for service or a sermon. There is certainly anointing attached to the doing of God’s work, but in this scripture it spoke of the shepherd applying oil to the face and head of the sheep in order to keep the flies off of them. The ‘fly’ in the Bible is most commonly a type of demonic spirits. The Greek rendering for Beelzebub is “lord of the flies”, and it was this pseudo-deity that Jesus was accused of being linked with (Matthew 12:24). When the Good Shepherd anoints us with His Spirit, it is to keep the demonic powers of lying and accusation from annoying us. Appeal to His Holy Spirit for relief from these pests.

Finally, the provision speaks of abundant grace and favor with the phrase, “my cup runneth over”. This is not a “just enough” blessing; this is a “too much” blessing! When the Shepherd provides for His own, He does so with as much as they will take. Paul said that we can receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness. If we do, we shall “reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). Don’t receive “enough”, receive the cup running over.

Prepare for His provision today. He will feed you even as your enemies watch it happen. He will smear His comforting Holy Spirit on you, even as all of hell comes against you. He will pour out His goodness and favor until it spills over and affects those around you. He is your Good Shepherd; let Him be truly good today.

God’s Gifts Bring Provision

Luke 2:1-15

The story of the birth of Christ is probably the most famous story in the world. Celebrated as Christmas, this birthday marks the arrival of God in human flesh; bringing joy and peace on earth, and goodwill from God to man. As great as this story is, we sometimes miss the lengths to which God goes to provide hope and provision, not only to the world through the gift of Jesus, but even to Mary and Joseph in their hour of need.

The Magi, or Wise Men, that come to the birth of Jesus are a vital part of the story of Christ’s birth. Often misplaced at the manger, these men traveled the farthest to see the child, and were still on the road when the shepherds gathered around the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. It wasn’t until nearly two years later that they arrived, bearing gifts from the Far East. Luke 2:11 confirms that when they found Jesus, He was “in the house”, not the manger and that He was a “child”, not a baby.

Upon arrival in Palestine, the Wise Men (who could have numbered more than the traditional 3), went to the palace of Herod to inquire as to where they might find the boy. Herod knew nothing of the arrival of Jesus, but is instantly driven to jealousy at the prospect of a Jewish king. At the instruction of the scribes, Herod sends them to Bethlehem. Isn’t it interesting that the scribes knew when and where the Messiah was supposed to be born, yet they refuse to believe that Jesus is the one?

The Wise Men give the family of Jesus three gifts, all which attest to a different aspect of Christ’s purpose on earth: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold speaks of the royalty of Christ, identifying Him as King of kings. Frankincense was used in the sacrificial offerings, and thus spoke of the divinity of Christ, seeing Him as God worth worshipping. Myrrh was the original antiseptic of the ancient world, often used to bring relief to people in pain and to embalm the dead. This spoke of Jesus’ sufferings which He would take for all mankind.

Joseph and Mary were considered poor, even for that time. We know this because Luke tells us that when Mary brought the baby Jesus into the temple to be dedicated, she brought turtledoves or pigeons as her sacrificial offering. Leviticus 12 allowed this for the poorest of God’s people, while the wealthiest were to bring a bullock. The gifts of the Magi must have seemed like a fortune (as they probably were) to these humble people in Bethlehem.

God had a greater purpose in the arrival of the Magi than to show forth the three-fold aspects of Christ. When Herod learned of Jesus’ birth, he ordered all of the baby boys age 2 and under “in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof” to be slaughtered (Matthew 2:16). Jesus and His family need to be out of there, now that the attack is on to kill Him. Before the arrival of the Magi, there would have been no funds available to make a long journey into Egypt to escape the sword of wrath, but now they have a surplus of funds, making it possible.

Notice that God is not responding to Satan’s attack; but rather Satan is responding to God’s Plan. The Magi began their journey a full two years before Satan even figured out that Jesus was on the earth. Once the enemy made a move on Jesus, it was too late, as God had given provision for the journey of protection. When you see Satan rear his head in your life, rejoice! If Satan is moving, it is because he has just learned of God’s provision and grace that is on its way. Hallelujah!

Provision for the Sheep

Psalms 23:5

Occasionally, the Bible shows us a side of God that is quite motherly. Jesus came from God’s bosom; a term we don’t often equate with fathers (John 1:18), and Jesus was referred to as “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), another ‘soft’ example. No matter how old we get, our mothers keep right on being ‘motherly’, and this verse in the Shepherd’s Psalm speaks volumes toward that fact.

Moms are always making sure that the kids have plenty to eat. My mother did it to me (and still does) and I watch as my wife does the same thing with our two kids. She not only will not allow them to skip a meal, she wants to make sure that they eat plenty at that meal, and every mother sends enough money with their child when they go out with someone else, “in case you get hungry”.

God prepares a table for the sheep, “in the presence of mine enemies” (Psalms 23:5). Only a parent’s love is more concerned with whether or not you eat than with the fact that your enemies are watching. God seems content with us just eating, as if He is assuring the believer, “You eat; I’ll take care of the enemies”.

Part of His provision for us in the presence of a world full of turmoil is His healing power. When the shepherd would settle the sheep down for the evening in a safe place, he would go around the flock and check each sheep for injuries. As he inspected each individual sheep, he could give special care to their needs, careful to apply the salve to whatever might need it. He also carried a horn of oil with him to anoint the sheep if necessary.

The anointing of the sheep has little to do with God smearing His Spirit on you for service or a sermon. There is certainly anointing attached to the doing of God’s work, but in this scripture it spoke of the shepherd applying oil to the face and head of the sheep in order to keep the flies off of them. The ‘fly’ in the Bible is most commonly a type of demonic spirits. The Greek rendering for Beelzebub is “lord of the flies”, and it was this pseudo-deity that Jesus was accused of being linked with (Matthew 12:24). When the Good Shepherd anoints us with His Spirit, it is to keep the demonic powers of lying and accusation from annoying us. Appeal to His Holy Spirit for relief from these pests.

Finally, the provision speaks of abundant grace and favor with the phrase, “my cup runneth over”. This is not a “just enough” blessing; this is a “too much” blessing! When the Shepherd provides for His own, He does so with as much as they will take. Paul said that we can receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness. If we do, we shall “reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). Don’t receive “enough”, receive the cup running over.

Prepare for His provision today. He will feed you even as your enemies watch it happen. He will smear His comforting Holy Spirit on you, even as all of hell comes against you. He will pour out His goodness and favor until it spills over and affects those around you. He is your Good Shepherd; let Him be truly good today.