The Very Best of Shepherdsნიმუში

The Shepherd Gives Me Justice

In this world, we will have troubles. Jesus told His disciples clearly that life would not always be easy for them. It isn’t easy for us, either. We might be misunderstood, taken advantage of, and deeply wronged. People might lie about us, pass around untrue rumors, and betray us. Life isn’t all green pastures and still waters. How are we as Christians supposed to deal with grave injustices perpetrated against us? Where is the Shepherd when bad things happen?

The answer is that the Shepherd is right there beside us, and He sees it all. I love the image that Psalm 23 gives us of the Shepherd’s loving care because it includes justice!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5niv). God will still bless us, and He will allow those who have wronged us to see His blessing on our lives. There is justice, after all! But we must leave it in God’s hands.

People might be able to hurt you. They might be able to affect your job or your income. They can lie about you and tarnish your reputation. They can break your heart. But there is one thing that a human being can never touch, and that is your blessing. God can give back to you so much more than you ever lost. Your cup overflows because God fills it to the brim and just keeps on pouring. And God will allow them to see your blessing, despite their efforts to harm you.

Joseph endured great hardship because of his jealous brothers. You can read about it in the last thirteen chapters of Genesis. He was insulted, ignored, hated, plotted against, sold into slavery, and abandoned by the brothers who should have been looking out for him. Alone as a slave in Egypt, he was lied about, thrown into prison, and forgotten. But God wasn’t finished! And when Joseph ended up a ruler in Egypt and was able to provide those very brothers with food to save them from starvation, Joseph told them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20niv). God’s intentions trump man’s intentions every time!

Jesus says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33niv). And He will make your cup overflow.