Like Sheep
“All we
like sheep have gone astray. Each turning to his own way. But the Lord has laid
on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6
“You Lord
are my shepherd, I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green
grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water and you refresh my life. You are
true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through
valleys as dark as death, but I will not be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s
rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You
honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness
and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in
your house, Lord.” Psalm 23
“I am the
good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” John 10:11
“I am the
good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows
me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
The Bible
talks about Christians, (we that trust and know Jesus as our shepherd), to be
like sheep. The world tends to think that we follow blindly, ignorantly,
without a thought or a doubt. But this simply isn’t true. We do doubt.
Each time we wander and lose our way our shepherd seeks us out. He embraces
with joy, bringing back to him, and placing our feet back upon the path.
The world
questions us as we travel, “Why do you want to return? How can you be certain that he is guiding you on the road
you want to go? Why do you love and trust him? Is it all worth it?”
My answer
is that he laid his life down for me. Everyday he demonstrates his love for me.
He knows me inside and out… and yet still he cares for me. I trust him to
always have my back. He knows the plans he has for me and he works for my good.
He created me, knitting me together in my mother’s womb. He knows me, what
behind me and what is to come. My shepherd promises to remain by me whatever
challenges may confront me.
“But how
do you know this? Why do you just
assume? Where is the evidence that God (if he even exists) will keep his
promises? Is God as great as you believe he is? Isn’t the gospel too good to be
true? The world contradicts.
You see, I
know that God keeps his promises. He has done so again and again. He promised
that Jesus would come and redeem us, bringing us back to the God who invites us
to call him “Abba Father”, just as he does.
The only
thing that makes me special and privileged. The only way I can have this hope
and assurance is this; that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. I
don’t deserve it. I didn’t have to work for it. I only had to accept it.
Thankyou
my Father in Heaven. May I never want to stop serving you, praising your name,
being part of your family, your child, and your daughter.
