Psalm 23 has so much to say what shepherding is about. In fact, we are all shepherds. Each one of us has a responsibility for someone. We are a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, a father or a mother, a friend to someone. And we have the responsibility to shepherd, to guide those who are in our care.

 So far, we have learned in this series the following principles on shepherding:

Principle #1 If I am shepherd, it is because I am aware of the needs of the sheep and seek to meet them.

Principle #2 If I am shepherd, it is because I ease the burden of the sheep.

Principle #3 If I am shepherd, it is because I keep the sheep on course for the glory of God.

Principle #4 If I am shepherd, it is because I comfort the sheep when they are afraid.

Principle #5 If I am shepherd, it is because I make allowance for the special needs of the sheep.

Principle #6 If I am shepherd, it is because I protect the sheep from their enemies.

Principle #7 If I am shepherd, it is because I take care of the sheep without regard to what it might be costing me personally

Principle #8 If I am shepherd, it is because I serve out of the overflow of the love I have for Christ

Principle # 9 – If I am a shepherd, it is because I love the sheep and I am good to them

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life…”

God’s constant love for us in the midst of our failure prompts us to love others even when they fail.

While some of us know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally and know what it’s like to be accepted for who we are, there are unfortunately people who don’t know what it feels like to be loved and accepted because for some reason they don’t fit in or they are just different.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus said ³⁴“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus meant for us to be inclusive and to love even the people who are different from us, the people whom we don’t understand, or the people whom we can’t find room for in our heart. That was His intention. However, the reality today is that there is seemingly an epidemic of loneliness amongst us because people these days have a deeper relationship with their cellphones than we have with our own families and the people around us. We have also forgotten that it is more important to give than to receive. But when it comes to how Jesus would want us to treat one another, how Jesus would want us to respond to those people we just don’t understand, it is clear from His Word. He loves that brother or sister that we find so difficult to love. He loves that one person that doesn’t quite fit into the group. And He’s good to the ones that don’t seem to deserve it by our measure. He loves His sheep. That’s what the good Shepherd does. No matter how frustrating someone is, Jesus loves them. And He wants you to love His sheep and be good to them.

Reality Check: Are there people whom you leave out just because they’re different? Do you use every opportunity to do good to all people, especially those who are of the household of faith?

Principle # 10 – If I am a shepherd, it is because I look for the return of the Chief Shepherd and wait for my reward.

Psalm 23:6 “…And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”

Part of going home to Jesus in heaven is receiving the reward that is waiting for us there. 1 Peter 4:5 says “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away”.

Scripture says it is ok to anticipate and look forward to our rewards in heaven. In fact, it should be a source of comfort and a source of joy. Many times in the bible, we read that shepherding and reward are held in close parallel. Rewards are God’s idea. His willingness to reward our service came from Him. As no eye has seen nor ear has heard, neither has it entered the heart of man, no one can begin to imagine what God has planned for you to recognize your service for Him. But how many of us are truly looking ahead to our reward? The way we choose to live our lives indicates how seriously we’ve taken the offer of a reward.

The truth is we choose to serve Christ even if we are not expecting to receive a reward. We serve Him because we love Him not because He offered us a reward. Your Savior knows that you know – that you don’t have to do what you are doing to get to heaven. All you have to do is believe in Jesus, who died for you, who was buried and rose again. Still, nothing goes unnoticed. Run in such a way that you may receive the prize.

Reality check: Can you anticipate hearing – Well done, good and faithful servant? Can you look into His eyes today and say honestly, I am waiting for your return?