Jon Augusta

What Goes Down, Will Go Up: Finding Hope in the Shepherd’s Care

By Jon Augusta

Life is a rollercoaster, isn’t it? We’re constantly navigating trials: entering them, in the thick of them, or finally emerging from them. Just when we think we’ve weathered one storm, another rolls in. We’ve faced a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and now, new health concerns. Where do we find hope in the midst of it all?

This question brought me to Psalm 23, a passage many of us know by heart. It speaks of a shepherd and his sheep, a powerful metaphor for God’s relationship with us. But it’s more than just a comforting bedtime story; it’s a guide for navigating life’s challenges.

Our Good Shepherd: Providing and Protecting

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This opening line declares that Jehovah God, the covenant-making God of Israel, is our provider. He knows our needs and promises to meet them.

We often confuse needs with wants. We feel entitled, forgetting that we deserve nothing but the consequences of our sin. Yet, God, in His infinite love, offered us salvation through Jesus Christ, giving us what we don’t deserve—eternal life.

Our Shepherd leads us to green pastures and still waters, symbolizing nourishment and peace. He restores our souls, freeing us from anxiety. He guides us on paths of righteousness, not for our sake, but for His name’s sake.

Think about it: sheep aren’t known for their intelligence. They need constant care. The shepherd’s job is to lead, protect, and provide. He uses his rod and staff, tools of both protection and correction.

• The rod: A weapon against those who would harm the sheep.
• The staff: A tool to guide them back to safety when they stray.

Just like a shepherd tending to his flock, God protects us from danger and gently corrects us when we wander. He anoints us with soothing oil, healing our wounds.

Trials and Growth: A Necessary Journey

Life isn’t always easy. We’re not promised a trouble-free existence. In fact, James 1:2 encourages us to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” Why? Because trials refine us, strengthen our faith, and make us more like Christ.

Just as lifting weights tears down muscle fibers so they can rebuild stronger, trials break us down so we can grow stronger in faith. When we face adversity with a heart focused on God, we emerge more resilient and more dependent on Him.

The Good Sheep: A Broken and Contrite Heart

But God’s provision isn’t the only part of the equation. We are called to be good sheep, to follow our Shepherd’s lead.

Psalm 51:17 tells us, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” God desires a heart that is repentant and remorseful for sin. He doesn’t want empty rituals; He wants genuine humility.

Sometimes, we face trials because we’ve strayed from the path. We’ve allowed sin to lead us astray. The Shepherd’s staff, though sometimes painful, is necessary to bring us back to safety.

The enemy wants to isolate us, to lead us away from the flock. But our Shepherd is always there, ready to guide us back.

Remembering the Goodness of God

Even in the midst of hardship, we can find joy in knowing that our Shepherd is with us. We can reflect on His faithfulness, His provision, and the promise of eternal life.

When doubts arise, remember the truths of Psalm 23. Remember that our Shepherd brings peace and comfort. And if we feel lost, we can trust that He will gently guide us back to the fold.

A Call to Repentance and Communion

As we prepare to partake in communion, let us reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made for us. This sacred act is a reminder of Jesus’s love and the hope we have in Him.

If you are struggling with unconfessed sin, take this opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness. If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ, I urge you to do so today.

Let us embrace the truth that what goes down, will go up. Through trials and triumphs, our Good Shepherd is with us, leading us to eternal life.