Psalm 100:3 - It is He who made us, and we are His

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

It's powerful and comforting to contemplate that the Lord your God is your shepherd. He chose you to be in His flock!

Trust the Lord your God. He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and He will lead and protect His flock.

Psalm 23:1-2 - He leads me beside quiet waters

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,

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

The imagery of God's leadership contains green pastures and quiet waters. Even if those pastures are located in the shadow of the valley of death, true leadership can give peace even in overwhelming circumstances.

It is the job of the shepherd to encourage - or instill courage - into the sheep to go down paths that seem treacherous.

Unlike the cattle driver, the shepherd leads from the front, going before his flock to assure them that they can make it. This is the type of leadership that inspires people and even empowers them to go places they would not go to on their own.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC