Keeper of the Sheep

 We understand that David was a keeper of the sheep, a shepherd. When he penned Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd, he knew exactly what he was talking about and all that entailed. David understood a depth of God's provision and watching care that we may not ever quite get since we don't have shepherding experience. We don't have any experience at just being a sheep, either. Lol.

John 10 reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and constantly watching over His sheep. Jesus also said that His sheep know His voice - and that comes from hanging out with Him! Once you have talked to a person long enough - you know them by just their voice. As a shepherd, David got all that.

But there was this one day when someone tried to use it against him. To make it worse, it was his brother who was trying to take him down a notch. 

Jesse sent David to check on his brothers, and he did as he was told. But his eye caught the giant, Goliath. And all he could think about was taking the giant down and getting the prize. He started asking around. His older brother, Eliab heard David. He asked publicly, What about those few sheep you are supposed to be taking care of? Eliab was trying to "put David in his spot," demean him, and make him feel less-than. Now remember that back in chapter 16, Eliab was standing there when David was anointed king by Samuel. Yet, instead of encouraging his little brother and trying to teach him - he is trying to get inside David's head and let others standing there know that David was just a "keeper of the sheep." And he made sure he said it was "few" sheep - so it couldn't be construed to be some big thing. He wanted to take David down a notch.

But David didn't let Eliab have any space in his head. He just kept asking and heading toward battle. Something that Eliab and the other soldiers were afraid to do!

Life can sometimes try to get in our heads. Caregivers have tons of situations, concerns, and experiences to remind us that we are not the status quo. Sometimes, if we let these ideas have any space in our heads, we can feel less than. Less than normal. Less than active. Less than social... you can fill in the blank!

But God had already established David as king and determined that THE King was going to enter this earth through David's lineage. Eliab couldn't stop what God had planned. And David didn't have to let Eliab get in his head. David didn't take the bait to be distracted. He just kept heading toward Goliath. David's heart was to fight for God - when no one else would stand up. He was protecting Israel when the army was failing them. The journey to the throne went through that field where the giant fell and all of Israel's army watched from a distance.

The world may be watching us from a distance - right? But God is with us in the battle.

Today, I'll remind myself that when others see me as unimportant or less-than - God sees me as the apple of His eye. Just like God drew that parallel to being a shepherd - like David - the same lines can be drawn as a caregiver. I'll meditate on the truth that God is the keeper and watcher of my soul. I will declare today that He is MY good Shepherd and He is right here with me in this field facing the giant of caregiving. I may even take my eyes off the giants before me just long enough to look at Him - my true warrior and fighter for my soul. Then, I will trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Check out my books including this devotional, 31 Days in Psalm 31! It's available in my Amazon store along with a number of other devotionals and Bible study guides. 

You can also get the ebook from Buy Me a Coffee. This is my new shop and I provide updates on printing efforts in Pakistan. 31 Days has been translated to Urdu and is next up to be printed!