GoodShepherdGivesHisLife | Kristi's Morning Devotional

It seems once the Lord shows you an example in Scripture, it pops up again and again. I like the way the Holy Spirit draws our attention to a vital truth.

A couple months back we spent some time looking at Psalm 23. The Lord is my Shepherd.

That’s personal. My Shepherd. He knows my name, He watches over me. He leads and guides me. He protects me. He feeds me and He causes me to rest. Very personal.

The Good Shepherd leads us (His sheep) to good pasture. He calls to us and we follow Him on a good path. The path of right relationship with the Father. He searches for us when we are lost.

He is faithful and trustworthy. He doesn’t abandon us in times of trouble. No, He stands and protects from our enemies; those determined to harm us.

“I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers. ⁷You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely. You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song. ⁸You give strength to your people, Lord, and you save and protect your chosen ones. ⁹Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.” Psalm 28:6-9 CEV

Every time I read verses like these, I immediately remind myself, “this is God’s word, He doesn’t lie, these verses are written for me and they are true”.

Answered prayer. Complete trust. Protection. Carried. Thanksgiving.

Our Shepherd isn’t passive. He actively fought for our good. He won the battle and defeated the enemies and now He enforces that victory so that we can always triumph in Him.

Trust Him. He is a strong shield and is our protector and Savior.

This morning my thoughts went back to the sheep we learned from a few days ago.

The nighttime temperatures have dropped in the desert. This morning, although I had the window open all night, I needed to close it. When I first got up it was 52* and now it’s down to 47*. Not freezing but chilly. Then I heard the coyotes; they are on the prowl, seeking an unsuspecting prey.

That little sheep that was lagging behind can be easily separated from the flock and the Shepherd. It becomes vulnerable to the elements, the darkness and to predators.

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. ⁸Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion (or a coyote) looking for someone to attack and eat. ⁹Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have.” I Peter 5:7-9 ERV

Worry will sidetrack us, it causes us to lag behind and become separated. It leaves us searching, trying to be self-sufficient and we lose sight of the Shepherd. Then like a coyote or a wolf the devil, our enemy, comes in for the kill.

He’s a faith killer.

Remember what he said to Eve in the garden, “The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 ERV

He asks questions like did God really promise to never abandon you, did He really tell you not to worry, does His word really say He will protect and provide for you. He is the great deceiver, and he will bring doubt wherever he can.

Enter the good Shepherd.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. ⁶When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:4-7 NLT

Jesus is in the seeking and saving business. He leaves the 99 safely in the sheep fold and goes searching for the lost.

For those who feel lost and alone, cry out – the Shepherd is there, He will save you!

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