One of my favorites Psalms is the 23rd Psalm. There are few verses in all of Scripture that speak more powerfully about the rich and abundant life that is found in a walk of intimacy with God. As you read the words of the first three verses, let them speak to your heart:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. (NIV)
The imagery used is God as a shepherd and His dearly loved children as sheep. The use of the shepherd analogy occurs several times in the Old Testament, mostly in the prophets. In Ezekiel chapter 34, the prophet voicing God’s thoughts says that Israel has suffered from having bad shepherds, ones who feed only themselves and look out only for their own advancement. But God promises that He will send a good shepherd whose heart is for the welfare of the sheep. In John chapter 10, Jesus seems to pick up on the words spoken through the prophets and declares that He is the Good Shepherd. He is trustworthy, willingly laying down His life for the well-being of the sheep. His sheep listen to His voice, and follow Him.