Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. (Psalm 28:9)
Back when my sons were small, one of my favorite things to do was to lift them up and place them on my shoulders. I’m pretty sure they enjoyed it as much as I did. Sometimes I did this because they were tired and lagging behind as we were walking, slowing us all down and testing my patience. Usually at that point, the youngest of them would lift up his arms toward me and persuasively ask to be carried. I would lift him up and carry him so we could pick up the pace. It was practically effortless for me to bear his weight on my body in this way. Other times I simply wanted my kids to see what I was seeing, to give them a broader view. They didn’t know what they were missing, and I sympathized with their frustration at seeing everything at knee-level. So there were times when I lifted them above the crowd for a better view. Lifting my children up even became a part of our bedtime routine. When bedtime rolled around each evening, I remember scooping Ethan up and placing him on my shoulders, walking through the house to his bedroom where I swiftly deposited him on his bed accompanied with laughter and giggles. It was a sign to begin slowing down to embrace the rest that was soon coming.
Lifting and carrying my children was practically effortless in those days, and it was something I delighted to do. I think that is probably the same way our heavenly Father feels toward us. In the 23rd Psalm, the LORD as our shepherd leads and guides us as his sheep. He gives us rest, security, refreshment, leadership, and his presence even in the darkest places. But a few psalms later (Psalm 28:9) the actions of the shepherd become even more intimate and personal. David prays that the LORD would be the shepherd of his people and carry them forever. Just like a father with his children, I think this is something that the LORD delights to do and is of course quite easy for Him provided we are not wrestling to get away. When we surrender to his strong arms and trust him completely we rise to a place of safety, rest, and vision.
As we face this unprecedented season of life, fraught with anxiety about what we cannot know, may we like little children place our trust in the loving arms of our Shepherd who carries us when we are weary, lifts us up to see the world from his perspective, and takes us to a place of rest each evening. Good Shepherd Jesus, lift me on your shoulders today so that I might rest in your strength and see the world as you do.