1. The Shepherd as a Metaphor

The image of God as the Shepherd is one of the most powerful and enduring metaphors in the scripture. God is reveal in many colours to His sheep. He is all in all for all His sheep.  This portrayal encapsulates the ideas of guidance, protection, provision, intimate care and nurturing of the sheep that a shepherd provides for their flock. A shepherd’s responsibilities are manifold, involving the guiding, feeding, protecting, . This role requires vigilance, strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication. All these characters are present in our God, the good shepherd and His package is full and total care

B.   Exploring The Shepherd’s Care

Guidance and Direction- Ps.78:52; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; – Isaiah 42:16; ps.73:12

One of the primary roles of a shepherd is to lead the flock. In the same way, God as the Shepherd offers guidance to His followers, directing them through the complexities of life – (EBH-57 & 58). This guidance is not coercive but gentle and wise, respecting the free will of everyone. The Psalmist captures this beautifully in Psalm 23: “He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” He leads only in the paths of righteousness, never in crooked ways, never in the broad way of deception, ungodliness, and sin (Isiah 35:8). If you have gone in a bad way, a way that involved you in lies, or breaking the law, or in unjust behaviour, do not boast that the good Shepherd has led you there (Galatians 5:16)

DISCUSSION: 1. Cite examples of biblical characters that enjoy God, the Shepherd’s direction and guidance. 2. What are the benefits of divine guidance and direction?

Provision and Sustenance- Psalm 34:9-10; 46:4

A shepherd ensures that the flock has adequate food and water. Similarly, God as the Shepherd provides for the needs of His people, both physical and spiritual. This provision is not just about meeting immediate needs but also about ensuring long-term well-being. Jesus, in the Gospel of John, refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)  who lays down His life for the sheep, underscoring the ultimate provision of His own life as sustenance for humanity.

REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION: CITE EXAMPLES OF GOD’S MIRACULOUS PROVISION AND SUSTAINANCE IN THE BIBLE. HOW CAN THESE BE OF HELP TO US HIS CHILDREN?

Protection, Preservation and Safety- Luke 12:4-7; John 14:1; Rom 8:15; 2 Tim 1:7

The shepherd’s rod and staff are symbols of protection and comfort. In the face of danger, the shepherd stands between the flock and any threats, ready to defend and protect. This image is echoed in the Psalms: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The integrity of God as the Shepherd is evident in His unwavering protection of His people, assuring them of safety amidst life’s perils.

The staff was a long stick or pole bent and curved at the end. The shepherd used it both to draw sheep near and to guide them. The staff could be placed along the side of the sheep and pressure exerted to indicate the direction they should go.

The rod was a shorter stick often with a carved knob at the end. It could be used for three different purposes. It was a defensive weapon which could be used against animals dangerous to the sheep. It was a tool to discipline the sheep. And it was used to examine the condition of the sheep by

Care, Compassion and Comfort-  Psalm 23:5-6

A good shepherd knows each sheep by name and understands their individual needs. This intimate knowledge and care reflect God’s relationship with His people. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God gathering the lambs in His arms and carrying them close to His heart, signifying His tender compassion and personal care.

Refreshing & Restoration- Psalm 19:7; 51:10, 12; 119:176; Job 33:30; Acts 3:19; Luke 22:31-32

As the sheep, there are times of weariness and trial, and may be sometimes cast down and tempted to faint. At such times the Shepherd draws near to restore and refresh the soul. All manners of restoration and refreshing are available for sheep of His pasture.

• Conclusion/ Summary

All these things Christ the good Shepherd does for us His children (sheep). With His rod and staff (the Word of God and His Spirit and any other means He uses in our lives) He exercises authority over us (Matt 28:18), draws us near to Himself in fellowship (1 John 1:3), guides us (John 10:4), defends us against all enemies (Ps 5:12; 32:7; John 10:28), examines us to see if we are in a healthy spiritual condition (Ps 7:9; 1 Chron 28:9; Jer 20:12; Rev 2:23), and disciplines us that we might enter this condition (Heb. 12:5-11). Can there be any greater and comprehensive care than this to poor, weak, vulnerable and foolish sheep?

Psalm 23:6- “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

PREAMBLE

Since the year started, we have looked at the shepherd’s staff, the journey with the shepherd and the sufficiency of the shepherd. All is pointing to what our God, the El-Shaddai can and would do, especially we His children, the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3).

Today, we are looking at how committed is our God to offer us the best and comprehensive care (Psalm 23:1-6). ‘’The one would offer to cloth another must be seeing full of abundant cloth’’

The integrity of God is a call into understanding of men; to be rest assure you are secure in His hand.   Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful”

A.      UNDERSTANDING INTEGRITY

The word integrity is defined as the quality of being honest, transparent, and morally upright. It involves consistently adhering to a set of principles and values, even when faced with challenges or difficult decisions

The integer vs Integrity:

The word “integer” and “integrity” do share a common root. Both words come from the Latin word “integer,” which means “whole” or “complete.”

In mathematics, an integer refers to a whole number, without fractions or decimals.

In the context of integrity, the idea is that a person with integrity is whole, complete, and undivided in their values, principles, and actions. They are not fragmented or compromised, but rather, they consistently act with honesty, morality, and transparency.

God is Integrity Personified:

The scripture testifies in several ways that he does not change (Heb.13:8; Malachi 3:6; He is ever true (Psalm 33:4; 2 Timothy 2:13; James 1:17); He does not lie (Numbers 23:19; Heb.6:18); He sees to the fulfilment of His words and promises (Joshua 21:45; Jeremiah 1:12).

B.      THE SHEPHERD WITH INTEGRITY

• Psalm 23:6 beautifully illustrates the unwavering integrity of the Lord as the Shepherd. Verse 6 encapsulates a promise that emanates from the very nature of God.
• ‘’Surely’’ speaks of assurance, unchanging nature of God, the certainty of His promise and the permanency and enduring nature of the promise
• The Hebrew word for “goodness” suggests not just moral goodness but also prosperity and joy. “Mercy” denotes steadfast love, often used to describe God’s covenant loyalty. The phrase “shall follow me” uses the Hebrew word (radaph), which suggests active pursuit, implying that God’s goodness and mercy actively pursue the believer. – Psalm 78:51-54
• The integrity of the Shepherd is seen in His commitment to continually pursue us with goodness and mercy. It speaks to a Shepherd who is not passive but relentlessly ensures that His sheep experience His benevolence and steadfast love. – Mark 6:34
• This pursuit is not temporary but lasts “all the days of my life,” indicating a lifelong commitment. Additionally, the promise of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever underscores the eternal nature of the Shepherd’s care and faithfulness- Isaiah 63:11-14

C.        THE SURE WORD OF GOD (THE INTEGRITY OF GOD’S WORD)- II PETER 1:19-21

2 Peter 1:19-20 (NIV)- “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it… Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.”

• The scripture II Peter 1 :19-20 suggests that every act of God is inextricably linked to His spoken word, promising a steadfastness that is unwavering and true
• “The Testimony of the Lord is Sure” says the word of God- Psalm 19:7;
• God does nothing outside His word.
• The word of God is the instrument of divine promises and performance (Heb.4:12; Gen.1:3; Ezekiel 37:4,6,9,11
• God’s word is covenant-borne-
• The integrity of the Shepherd is reflected in the veracity and dependability of His word. Just as the Shepherd pursues His sheep with goodness and mercy, He also ensures that His messages and prophecies are trustworthy and fulfilled
• The prophetic word acts as a light shining in a dark place, guiding believers until the ultimate revelation of Christ, the morning star, who rises in their hearts.
• Every child of God must respond to God’s word by believing it, go over it again and again until conviction takes place in your heart. ‘’which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts’’
• Know that God’s prophecy is open to whosoever receive the understanding of Holy Spirit’s interpretation- Mark 13:27 ‘’And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

CONCLUSION

• The integrity of the Shepherd, as portrayed in Psalm 23:6 and II Peter 1:18-20, is profoundly evident.
• Shepherd’s steadfast love and goodness actively pursue the faithful, ensuring their well-being and eternal dwelling with Him.
• The reliability of the prophetic word, affirmed by firsthand apostolic witness, underscores the Shepherd’s commitment to truth and guidance.
• Through these scriptures, believers can find deep assurance in the Shepherd’s unwavering integrity and trust in His eternal promises.

INTRODUCTION

We started January with ‘’a journey with the Shepherd’’.  We learnt last week that 2025 is a journey for all of us, and we are trusting God together to lead us all through the journey.

Today, we shall be learning how to embrace the Sufficiency of the Shepherd.

First, we want to establish in the scripture what the Shepherd is made of and have in stock for the sheep.

Furthermore, what guarantees our provision in His sufficiency shall be explored, and we would conclude with strategies to be employed to be beneficiaries of all that God has for us.

A.      The journey with God is personal- Psalm 23

• The word of God reveals that Psalm 23 in its entirety is an outcome of the relationship and encounter of David with God. Anyone who shall enjoy the sufficiency of God in his or her life must establish a personal walk with the shepherd
• The word “me/my/I” occurs 17-18 good times in this passage (KJV). This dominates the conversation. All the conversation is between David and God
• It speaks that David’s life was being catered for by God in all ramifications.
• David understood the rich provision and care of God all through the journey of his life.
• His tone of expression unveils his possession of God throughout facets of life.
• This is a great lesson for us in the year 2025 as the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3b).

B.      Establishing the Sufficiency of the Shepherd- Psalm 23: 1a:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”

The context of utilization of the phrase ‘’I shall not want’’ means a lot. It assures us that because you have the shepherd as the Father, all want is secured or sorted in Him.

1. The Shepherd reveals as the creator – Psalm 100 :3.; Gen.1:1
   1. God is the creator of the entire universe and has control over all that He created (II Kings 19:15; Isaiah 42:5).
   1. If it takes Him 6 days to complete the good work of creation (Gen.1:31), is He not sufficient to care for His creature?
   1. Psalm 104:24– How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

1. The Shepherd reveals as the owner and controller of all resources- Psalm 24:1, I Cor.10:26; Psalm 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8-9; Colossians 1:16-17. 
   1. Psalm 50:10-12, “Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.”
   1. There are no resources that God does not have or that are beyond His reach- Hag.2:8-9; Phil.4:19b—-God’s glorious riches

1. Every of the shepherds’ words stands- Isaiah 55:11; II Cor.1:20
   1. God’s word is the secret to our sufficiency. All the provisions of God are made available in His word- Psalm 34:10; James 1:5 e.t.c
   1. His word is for everyone who finds it- Mark 13:37

1. The sufficiency of God is all round and take care of all need- II Cor.9:8  ‘’And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work’’

C.      The Guaranty of the Sufficiency of the Shepherd- Psalm 23:1b:

Note this:

• Sometimes we may not correctly define our need but His sufficient mercy prevail. Our wants are not our needs, and God has promised to supply our needs (Phil 4:19). Our need may be a new idea, inspiration, rest, money, trustworthy staff, good health, patience, faith and so on.
• They may be tangible or intangible.Col.1:16; 2 Corinthians 9:8(NLT) says, “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty leftover to share with others.” This is a promise God has made and will fulfil.

Let’s delve into what guarantee our sufficiency:

1. Shepherd as the supplier- 

a.   Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. “

b.   Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches about God’s provision, saying, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

c.   Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

1. Shepherd as the sustainer –

a.   Psalm 54:4, “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”;

b.   Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.”

c.   Hebrews 1:3, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

1. Shepherd as the support-

a.         Psalm 3:5, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”;

b.         Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be frightened, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

1. Shepherd as the stronghold-

a.   Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”

b.   Psalm 91:2, “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

c.   Romans 8:31-39, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

• Shepherd as the security and the storekeeper-

a.   Psalm 121:3-4, “He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”;

b.   Malachi 3:10, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'”

c.   John 10:28-30, Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”;

D.      Strategies to Embrace the Sufficiency of the Shepherd:

i.    Remain in the sheep pen. Abide in God’s presence- Psalm 90:1; 16:11; Exodus 33:13

ii.         Maintain relationships and cordiality- Stay connected. John 15:5-6

iii.        Allowing the shepherd to lead – Gen 26: Jer.6:16

iv.  Submit in totality to the care of the Shepherd. This is a call to surrenderness. Believing in His ways (Prov.3:5-6) and approaches (Isaiah 58:8-9; Luke 5).

Conclusion

The Shepherd’s ways are higher than our ways because His ways are always part of a bigger plan. We see only our small piece of the puzzle (I Cor. 13:9).

 When our desire is to live in step with His plan, we can have confidence that, even when bad things happen, God is still in control. (Eccl.3:11; Romans 8:28). He often takes what Satan meant for evil and turns it into good for the salvation of many (Genesis 50:20)

INTRODUCTION

• Journey is inevitable in life. Everyone is involved in one journey or the other.
• It may be of varying distances; short, intermediate or long ( Job 14:1; Gen.47:9-10)

• The purpose of every journey also differ by individuals.
• It may be smooth, rough or mixed feelings.

• One of the certainty is that we cannot run away from journey of life.

The common factors to any kind of journey are:

1. There exists the beginning and the exit point
2. End is expectedly determined from the begining or at start
3. Movement are always involved, it starts with a step and follows a direction
4. Its purpose driven and goal oriented
5. It has a pace or amplitude of movement – Isaiah 40:31; Heb.12:1c

A GLIMPSE INTO JOURNEY OF YEAR 2025

• Be it physical, social, mental or spiritual, we are all going to journey through it everyday.

• 2025 is a brand new journey with diverse opportunities for greatness, achievements,  and outstanding successes.- Psalm 68:19; Lamentation 3:21-24
• It is also full of challenges, difficulties, potential limitations and hindrances on the path of life.- Eph.5:15-16; Matt.6:34
• There are requirements to make the journey easy, possible and feasible
• The two essential keys needed in this journey are DIRECTION AND SUFFICIENCY.
• God has made the provisions of both for all His children this year 2025-  Psalm 95:7; 100:3

1. The Shepherd knows the way and He gives the needed directions to all the sheep of his pasture. Isaiah 40:11; John 14:6; Exodus 13 :21-22. He goes all the way and any length to care, guide and protect them (John 10:11-12). He abides with them to prevent them from straying- Ezekiel 34:11-12.

• The Shepherd is all sufficient God – (Psalm 23:1-3; II Cor.9:8; ; Gen.17:1) and the All-sufficient God is the Shepherd – Col 3:10

His sufficiency covers all things for us and all areas of life – Psalm 23:1; II Cor 3:8.

• All that is needed for the journey (  Phil.4: 11-13)  to get to glorious end is in the package the Shepherd has come to offer this year ( The names- El- Shaddai; Adonai; Jehovah Jireh;  Psalm and Hymns( YBH 84; 645;335, 603- EBH )

It’s not an easy road

We are traveling to heaven,

For many are the thorns on the way;

It’s not an easy road,

But the Savior is with us,

His presence gives us joy every day.

No, no, it’s not an easy road,

No, no, it’s not an easy road;

But Jesus walks beside me

And brightens the journey,

And lightens every heavy load.

HOW BEST TO JOURNEY WITH THE SHEPHERD

The sheep journeying with the Shepherd this year 2025 is expected to possess the following virtues:

1. It’s a journey of relationship and intimacy – John 10:14; Psalm 91:1-2; Psalm 63:1-2[ Psalm 42:1-2; John 15:5-6
2. Its a journey of trust and confidence in God and His power- Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 26:3
3. It’s a journey of total dependency on God- John 15:5-6
4. It’s a journey of growing faith and keep believing- Romans 1:17; II Cor.5:7. No faith… Little faith… Great faith-Mark 4:40; Matt 8:26,8:10; 15:28
5. It’s a journey of obedience and submission- I Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; James 1:22

CONCLUSION

The journey through year 2025 is desirable and inevitable.  The joy is that we have the Shepherd set to lead us, will you allow Him to lead?

INTRODUCTION

Many people start the new year with enthusiasm, energy, and excitement. In high spirits, but they often lose steam along the way.

As we go along in the year, we often face challenges, setbacks, failures, and disappointments that can discourage us and make us want to give up.

But the path of the righteous is different. It is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

This means that, as we journey in year 2025, we should be getting brighter, and not dimmer. We should be growing stronger, not weaker.

“Path”, as mentioned in Proverbs 4.18, refers to the way or manner of life of the righteous.

▪︎ It symbolizes the journey or course of a person’s life, including their choices actions and decisions.

In biblical context, the “Path” can also refer to:

▪︎ Way of life: A person’s lifestyle, habits, and character (Proverbs 2:12-14).

▪︎ Moral direction: The path of righteousness, justice, and morality (Prov. 2:8-9; Ps. 23:3).

▪︎ Spiritual journey: A person’s relationship with God, including their faith, obedience, and trust (Ps. 119:35; Is. 40:31).

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RIGHTEOUS’ PATH.

Proverbs 4.18 speaks of and describes the path of the righteous as “shining light.”

This suggests that the path of the righteous is characterized by:

1.            Shining (increasing) Light.

▪︎ The path of the righteous is not static, but rather, it shines brighter and brighter over time.

▪︎ Their way shines to themselves in the joy and comfort of it.

▪︎ It shines before others in the glow and honour of it.

▪︎ It shines before men who see their good works (Matt. 5:16).

▪︎ It is as the morning light, which shines out of obscurity (Is. 58:8).

▪︎ It puts an end to the works of darkness.

2.            It is a Growing Light

▪︎ It shines more and more (progressive).

▪︎ Not like candle light, which burns dim and burns down, but like that of the rising sun, which goes forward shining, and mounts upward shining.

▪︎ It speaks of progressive growth. A gradual and continuous growth in righteousness, with each day bringing more light and understanding.

3.            The light will arrive, in the end, at the perfect day.

▪︎ It speaks of ultimate fulfilment.

▪︎ The phrase “till the full light of day” sugests that the path of the righteous leads to a ultimate fulfilment or completion, where the believer reaches the fullness of God’s plan and purpose for their life (Jer. 29:11).

The overall summary of Proverbs 4:18 presents a hopeful and encouraging picture of the path of the righteous, emphasizing the idea that, those who follow God’s way will experience increasing light, growth, and fulfilment in their lives.

FOUR KEYS TO START STRONG AND FINISH STRONG

Starting strong is very important but finishing strong is even more crucial.

1.            Focus on the Right Path

▪︎ The path of the righteous is not just any path. It is a path that is guided by God’s word and illuminated by His presence.

▪︎ To start and finish strong, we need to focus on the right path. We need to seek God’s guidance and direction in our lives (Ps. 119:105; Jos. 1:8).

2.            Cultivate a Strong Relationship with God.

▪︎ The path of the righteous is not just about following rules or regulations. It’s about cultivating (building) strong and deep intimacy with God. Knowing Him, loving Hirn, and trusting Him.

▪︎ When we have a strong relationship and deep intimacy with God, we would have the strength and courage to persevere, even in the toughest times. Tough time will surely come. Is. 43:2 says, “When (not if) you pass through deep waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When (not if) you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you.”

Heb. 12:1-3 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author (pioneer) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith.”

3.            Persevere Through Challenges

▪︎ Starting strong is not enough. We need to persevere through challenges and difficulties.

▪︎ We need to be willing to take risks, face our fears, and push through obstacles.

▪︎ Perseverance helps us grow stronger, and we would become more like Christ. Gal. 6:9 says “Let us not be weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

4.            Have a Renewed Mindset. Do Away With The Old, Embrace The New (Is. 43:18-19).

▪︎ God is able to usher us into a realm of newness as the year rolls on, but we must be ready to let go of the old.

▪︎ You must surrender your old way of thinking, from negativity and doubt to positivity and faith.

▪︎ Surrender your old traditions for His new culture to take over.

▪︎ Forget about the failures and disappointments of each passing day and look forward.

▪︎ Don’t dwell on the success and breakthrough of each passing day of the year but let it spur you for something greater.

In this year 2025, start strong, continue stronger, and finish strongest.

May the Lord help us so to do in Jesus’ name, Amen.

PRAYERS

1.            Heavenly Father, thank You once again for the gift of this new year 2025. Thank You for all that You have in store for me in this new year.

2.            Father, help me to leave past mistakes and failures behind and to start fresh, with a clean slate in Jesus’ name.

3.            Father, please help me to do away with the old things in my life that can prevent me from experiencing your newness in every area of my life, even as the year goes on in Jesus’ name.

4.            Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom and guidance as I start ‎‫this new year. Help me to make decisions that align with Your will and plans for my life this year(Prov. 3:5-6; 4:7).

5.            I receive divine strength and energy to tackle the challenges of this new year in Jesus’ name (Phil. 4:13).

6.            My Father, help me to stay focused and motivated to achieve my goals this year in Jesus’ name (Is. 40:31).

7.            As I go on in the journey of this year, I shall not grow weary nor fall by the way side in Jesus’ name.

8.            Dear Lord, help me to be faithful and consistent in my walk with You this year in Jesus’ name. I receive the grace and strength to stay on track and to finish the year strong in Jesus’ name (Ps. 119:33-34).

9.            Dear Lord, I receive rejuvenated health throughout this year in Jesus’ name.

10.          I receive fruitfulness and productivity in all my endeavours this year in Jesus’ name. I will not labour in vain this year in Jesus’ name.

11.          Help me Lord to make the most of every opportunity and resources that come my way this year in Jesus’ name.

12.          As this year goes on, things shall be getting better for me. I will have better opportunities, better performance, better results, and overall better life in Jesus’ name.

13.          Every negative attitude, habits, behaviour, or character that has been working against my progress in the past years, I renounce them this year in Jesus’ name.

14.          Father, help me to cultivate attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving throughout this year. Grant me the ability to see Your blessings and goodness in my life and to give you praise and thanks in Jesus’ name.