Besides regular Bible reading which takes me in and through the word of God, I like to supplement my studies by reading uplifting, Christian material too. When I find a book that I like I will sometimes read it again and again and again. No, not back to back, but over many years in a bid to recapture the essence of the story.

One book that has caught my attention again is actually a compilation of four of the bestselling works of W. Phillip Keller, a one-time shepherd and pastor. In Phillip Keller: The Inspirational Writings this devotional commentary features the following stories:

• A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
• A Layman Looks at the Lord’s Prayer
• A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd & His Sheep
• A Gardener Looks at the Fruits of The Spirit

Right now I’m nearing the end of the first book with plans to move forward through the 576 page volume over the coming weeks, my third complete reading of the book since I received my copy from a friend in 1994.

Son of Missionary Parents

Keller was born in 1920 and grew up in East Africa as the child of missionary parents. His family lived amongst the sheepherders who managed their flocks much in the same way that ancient shepherds in the Middle East managed their sheep dating back to the days of the lowly shepherd boy, David.

Later, Keller managed his own flocks both in Africa and later in his native Canada. That background helped give him an intimate understanding of Psalm 23 and God’s relationship to His people who are the sheep of His own flock.

And it is with Psalm 23 where Keller wonderfully illustrates exactly what it means to “lie down in green pastures” and “anoint my head with oil” by breaking down the popular Psalm piece by piece. For most of us, who aren’t acquainted with farming, Keller carefully aligns scripture with sheep management to demonstrate how much Jesus Christ cares for each sheep individually.

The Shepherd Protects His Flock

A case in point: In his chapter, “Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley…,” Keller shares how beneficial valley experiences are for sheep. For it is in the cool valley where refreshing waters can be found as well as lush grasses that sheep thrive on. At the same time, it is in nearby cliffs and overhangs where enemies lay in wait — lions, cougars and wild dogs, etc. — danger zones familiar to the shepherd who skillfully guides his sheep through on their way to higher, even more beneficial ground.

Of importance to the reader is to gain an understanding of just how well loved individual sheep are to the shepherd. As with the Good Shepherd, sheep know the voice of their own shepherd and will not follow another.  And, the human sheepherder knows each of his sheep which can run into the thousands in some flocks.

Just as the shepherd knows his sheep and calls them by name, God knows us and calls us individually…what a comfortable thought for the Christian who can sometimes feel lost even in the company of other saints!

Keller went home to his reward in 1997, leaving behind an unusual but beneficial legacy that I’m familiarizing myself with once again. Some of Keller’s works are no longer in print, but I suspect you can find copies through Amazon, Alibris and other big booksellers.

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