- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,641
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments. Psalm 119:175-176 NKJV
Sheep are notoriously stubborn, foolish, and fearful—not great to be compared to. And yet, in John 10:11,14, Jesus made it a point to call Himself the good shepherd, the one who “lays down his life for the sheep….I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” His character is good—noble, faithful, trustworthy, pure—and under His care, we are protected, guided, and nurtured away from our worst tendencies.
That’s comforting because, as David reminds us, we tend to roam. Even when we belong to Jesus, we still wander off, sometimes when we’re enticed by old habits, and other times, to our great surprise.
But when we get out among the wolves, Jesus comes looking for us. Our Shepherd doesn’t leave us to the savageries of the world, the flesh, or the devil. He patiently endures our struggles, reminding us by His Spirit, His Word, and His faithful people that we are His. No longer bound by our sheeplike tendencies, we learn to hear His voice calling, and we can come home again.
Prayer: Jesus, my Good Shepherd, You are always looking out for me, especially when I get off track. Forgive me and restore me to Your good care.
Sheep are notoriously stubborn, foolish, and fearful—not great to be compared to. And yet, in John 10:11,14, Jesus made it a point to call Himself the good shepherd, the one who “lays down his life for the sheep….I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” His character is good—noble, faithful, trustworthy, pure—and under His care, we are protected, guided, and nurtured away from our worst tendencies.
That’s comforting because, as David reminds us, we tend to roam. Even when we belong to Jesus, we still wander off, sometimes when we’re enticed by old habits, and other times, to our great surprise.
But when we get out among the wolves, Jesus comes looking for us. Our Shepherd doesn’t leave us to the savageries of the world, the flesh, or the devil. He patiently endures our struggles, reminding us by His Spirit, His Word, and His faithful people that we are His. No longer bound by our sheeplike tendencies, we learn to hear His voice calling, and we can come home again.
Prayer: Jesus, my Good Shepherd, You are always looking out for me, especially when I get off track. Forgive me and restore me to Your good care.
