
God uses the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep to demonstrate His care for His people. As a shepherd, he protects his sheep against predators by using a relatively short wooden heavy rod. It is heavy enough to hurt any predator that threatens the safety of his sheep. The shepherd also carries a long wooden staff that has a hook at one end to guide the sheep to green pastures and water. A good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. He will not allow anything to hurt his sheep. When one of his sheep wanders and gets lost, he will secure the rest of his sheep then he will look for that one lost sheep. He will not rest until he finds it. Jesus said that He is our great shepherd. When we lose our way and do not know where to go, He is always there to guide us in the right direction. When we are in need of water and food, He is always there to provide for our needs. Even when we are in disobedience, our Lord Jesus will continue to pursue us for repentance. Just as the shepherd disciplines his sheep, so as our Lord Jesus disciplines us so that we can learn to stay on the right path.Â
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Psalm 100:3 says, "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." It is a blessing to know that we are the sheep of His pasture. God knows everything about us. He knows our needs and struggles. Since we are the sheep of His pasture, He is faithful to take care of us. The reason we can have assurance in the midst of uncertainty is that God is our shepherd. If our God created everything, including us, then there is nothing that He cannot do or provide for our needs. Psalm 100:5 says, "For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation."Â
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God is reminding us today that He is our Good Shepherd. He knows how to take care of us. Let us not panic when our future seems unsure. Our Good Shepherd has our life and safety in His hands. May our Good Shepherd bless all of us today!
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Questions for application:Â (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.)Â Who is my Good Shepherd? Why should I not panic when I feel that my future is unsure? What does it mean to be a sheep of God's pasture?
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Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
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Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for being my Good Shepherd. Please help me to completely trust in you, especially when I feel like my future is unsure. Thank you that I am safe in you. I will always have hope because your staff and rod will always make me secure. I praise and glorify your name because you are my Good Shepherd. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.Â
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