text: Jehovah Ra'ah—The Lord is My Shepherd | Susan Cady
  April 6, 2015/Susan Cady/No Comments
  Do you ever have those weeks where you feel like your running in circles? Wandering aimlessly —you've been busy all day but wonder what you've really accomplished? Do you ever feel like you can never do enough, have enough or be enough? Take heart, my friend! You have a Provider, Protector, Guide, Companion, Nurturer and Friend! This week we will study the name of God, Jehovah-Ra'ah, The Lord My Shepherd.
  Our Name of God this Week: Jehovah Ra'ah—The Lord is My Shepherd
  Jehovah — The Existing One or Lord. The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word "havah" meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" — this name denotes our God as the One who reveals Himself unceasingly.
  Ra'ah— to tend, to shepherd, to feed (of people as flock, fig.); to be a special friend.
  Let's s begin today by reflecting on some Scriptures related to our need for Good News and a Good Shepherd.
  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned —every one —to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6
  "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. —Ezekiel 34:11-12
  When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. —Mark 6:34
  So Jesus again said to them, " Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. —John 10:7
  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.—John 10:10-11
  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. —John 10:14-16
  Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. —Psalm 100:3
  But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. —Psalm 79:13
  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. —Psalm 95:6-7
  Now let's spend a few moments reflecting Psalm 23 and what it teaches us about God as our Good Shepherd.
  for his name 's sake.
  forever. —Psalm 23 (ESV)
  Psalm 23 is a very familiar and personal psalm penned by the shepherd-king, David —also known as a man after God's own heart. What can we learn from the words of Psalm 23 to encourage us today?
  As you read Psalm 23, note the phrases in the psalm that speak of the Lord as our…
  Consider printing out this copy of Psalm 23 and make notes regarding what you learn from the psalm about God as your nurturer, provider, guide, protector and companion.
  "I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me, or I shall have it in due time." —Matthew Henry
  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. —Ephesians 1:3
  God as our Good Shepherd meets our basic spiritual needs. He nourishes, refreshes, restores, guides and protects. We are never left wanting for His presence, His Word and His Spirit are with us continually. He has provided for our greatest need —salvation and redemption from our sin. Therefore our cup will always overflow because we have experienced the endless supply of His goodness and mercy poured out and Calvary. Rejoice in fact that the Lord is Your Shepherd!
  Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. —Hebrews 13:20–21