Shepherd

David spent much of his youth in the fields taking care of sheep. He led them through mountain valleys to find luscious green pastures. He made sure they had plenty of water. He protected them from wild animals. When a sheep strayed, he found it and brought it back to the safety of the flock. David knew what it meant to be a shepherd. Later in his life, when he became king of Israel, he reflected on the living God and wrote this psalm.

Thank you for joining us in our devotional series, Promises in the Psalms. If these devos are helpful to you, please share them with others. They can sign up at ronmoore.org/subscribe. Today’s promise, from a very familiar psalm, reminds us that God is always with us. We are never alone.

James and John sent their mother to request a favor from Jesus. She asked that when he established his kingdom, her two sons be given a special place of power and position. Once the other disciples learned of this query, they were “indignant.” Peter must have been particularly irritated. Along with James and John, he made up Jesus’ inner circle. But as always, Jesus turned the situation into an important teaching moment.

A wandering sheep is a meal ready to be eaten. Separated from the flock, a straying sheep is vulnerable to the attack of wild animals. They also risk falling, rolling over on their backs, and as a result, incapable of getting up. Straying sheep are in danger of getting lost and staying lost until they meet their demise. Apart from Jesus, we are all “straying like sheep”—lost in sin, vulnerable to the Enemy, and caught in spiritual darkness. But that all changes with Jesus!

Hebrews 13:20-21(NIV) Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God’s unconditional love means that I can do nothing to make him love me more; there is nothing I can do to make him love me less.

Listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice. He knows you, loves you, and cares for you! He will always speak the words you need to hear, just when you need to hear them.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He never fails to provide everything I need.

He willingly gave his life on the cross as a sacrifice for our sin. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us. How will you respond today to such love?