The Lord God serves as our compassionate Shepherd. According to the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, our Lord Jesus Christ portrays himself as our caring shepherd: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. However, when a hired hand encounters a threat like a wolf, they abandon the sheep and run away; consequently, the wolf attacks and disperses the flock. Hired hands flee since their only concern is themselves and not the welfare of the sheep. I am the good shepherd; thus, I recognize my sheep personally, just as the Father recognizes me intimately. Consequently, I sacrifice myself for these sheep. Moreover, I possess additional sheep outside this fold whom I must guide into hearing my call, unifying all under one flock with one shepherd."
Pedro Pina, Vice President of YouTube for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Lyor Cohen, Vice President of Music at YouTube (both positions noted)Like a devoted shepherd, Jesus stands as the kindest and most loving leader humanity has ever seen. He truly embodies the role of our Shepherd King!
In Psalm 23, the psalmist offers a heartfelt plea to God as their divine shepherd: "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing at all. He lets me rest in lush fields; he guides me near tranquil streams. He revives my spirit; he directs me along righteous pathways for his honor. Even when walking through dark valleys, I feel no terror since you accompany me; your rod and staff bring me solace. Before my adversaries, you set out a feast for me; you pour fragrant oil upon my head; my cup brims with abundance. Truly, kindness and compassion will pursue me throughout my lifetime; I'll reside within the House of the Eternal forevermore."
Beyond serving as our shepherd, the LORD God is also known as a Compassionate God. According to Exodus 34:6-7, when the LORD God revealed Himself, He described Himself as a Compassionate Deity: "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin; yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished, but punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents down to the third and fourth generation."
In Micah 7:14-20, we find a potent prayer addressed to our Shepherd and Merciful God. Let us use this prayer to call upon God for forgiveness.
Lead your people, O Lord, with your rod—the flock that belongs to your inheritance—dwelling alone in a forest amidst fertile lands. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead just as they did long ago. Just as you showed wonders when coming forth from Egypt, reveal such marvels now. Which deity can forgive wrongdoing like you do, overlooking rebellion against the remnants of their heritage? They hold back wrath forever since they take pleasure in showing kindness. Once more, they'll extend compassion toward us, trampling our wrongdoings beneath Their feet. All our sins shall be thrown into the ocean’s deep abyss. Faithfulness towards Jacob and Abraham's descendants will be shown, consistent with vows made to our ancestors ages past. Amen!
Through this prayer, let God forgive all our wrongdoings! Let Him show mercy to us, his children! May God toss all our transgressions into the depth of the ocean and grant you forgiveness and peace in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – Amen!
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