A very sweet thought it is to me, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall
not want."
There is not one here, except the very babes, who does not understand
the work of a shepherd. He watches over his flock, protects them from
danger, feeds them, leads them into the best pastures. In fact, the
23rd Psalm is just a statement of the duties of a good shepherd: "The
Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want," etc.
You want to be fed; are you going to wander about seeking something to
satisfy the cravings of your soul? Then, I tell you, you never will
find anything to satisfy the longings of your heart. The world cannot,
and never could, satisfy a hungry soul. The Lord Jesus can--He is the
true Shepherd. He is seeking to restore your soul, to lead you back to
the paths of righteousness. Even to death will He lead you, and safely
through its shadow guide you to a better land. Mother, father, will
you claim Him as your Shepherd?
Young man, young woman, will you have Him as your Shepherd?
My little child, will you have Jesus as your Shepherd? He will lead
safely and softly.
You can, all of you, if you will. For "God gave Him up freely for us
all," that He might have us for His flock. He will lead us through
life, down to the banks of the Jordan; He will lead us across the dark
river into His kingdom. He is a tender, loving Shepherd.
I sometimes meet people in the anxious inquiry-room who are nourishing
hard, bitter feelings against God, generally because they have been
afflicted. A mother said to me the other day, "Ah, Mr. Moody, God has
been unjust to me; He has come and taken away my child." Dear
afflicted mothers, has God not removed your children to a pure and
happy life? You may not understand it now, but you will by and by. He
wants to lead you up there.