Tender Shepherd by Eliza Walker

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1877

Tender Shepherd.

By Eliza Walker

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

The name shepherd, or pastor, signifies a keeper of sheep, as were a great number of the patriarchs. Jabal, the son of Lamech, was the father of shepherds. A large part of their wealth consisted in their flocks and herds, the care of which was shared by their sons, daughters, and servants.

Many in the tribes of Israel were shepherds, and so was David their king. This employment is highly honored in the Bible. In the time of the kings, the chief shepherd occupied a place of some importance. The shepherds often had a wide range of pasture grounds, from one to another of which they drove their flocks as occasion required. In Palestine they found many green spots in winter and spring where their flocks could graze; but the heat of summer withered these pastures of the wilderness, and drove the shepherds and their flocks to the highlands and mountain streams for fresh pastures. So with our great and good Shepherd. When I am almost fainting and ready to famish amidst the heat and burdens of the day, then he leadeth me so gently into the green pastures and beside the still waters. How refreshing to the hungry and thirsty soul!

Where is the child of God, who has not had these green spots of experience all along the way? To me they are as strong monuments of God’s mercy. I can look back to them and take fresh courage to go on. Christ is often called a Shepherd; and he also takes on himself the title of “the Good Shepherd,” who gave his life for his sheep. Paul calls him the great Shepherd of the sheep. Peter gives him the title of Prince of shepherds. His ministers are, in like manner, pastors, or under-shepherds of the flock, as was Moses an under-shepherd of the children of Israel to lead them through the wilderness.

Our Saviour says the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, and that he knows them, and they know him; that they hear his voice, and follow him. Oh! that we might always heed the voice of the true Shepherd, and place our hands in his, to be led by him; for we have the assurance that no one can pluck us out of his hands. The good Shepherd also searcheth for the lost ones, and those that have strayed from the fold, and wandered upon the mountains and into the shadow of death. He gently leads them back into green pastures and by the still waters.

True, he leads me in a mysterious way. I cannot see why it is, yet God knows. He never leads me otherwise than wisely. He makes no mistakes. He knows the way I ought to go. He understands me fully. He knows my spirit would fail before him if I were dealt with severely. Oh! how he mingles mercy with judgment! Then, he leads me always, in prosperity and in adversity, in joy and in sorrow, when alone and when surrounded by my friends and kindred. If he left me, even for an hour, I should be undone.

Tender Shepherd, lead thou me still, and I will put my hand in thine, and go wheresoever thou mayest lead. Never has he brought me into needless trouble. When affliction has gained its end, relief, in some form, has come. If I will mark his footsteps, and go right forward, he will guide me by his counsel, and afterward receive me to himself.

Not my will, but thine, O Lord, be done. Guide me, O thou great Shepherd of Israel; be thou on my right hand and on my left, by day and by night, until these conflicts be overpast.

ELIZA WALKER.

Rochester, Mich.