The Good Shepherd

Focus: John 10:11 - KJV

11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Ezekiel 34:12-23

There are shepherds and there are shepherds. Of course, there is the good Shepherd. The place of the shepherd is to care for the sheep. Such care includes according them the best of pasture to feed on, keeping them away from predators, defending them against all manner of attack, taking care of them when feeble or weak, looking for them or anyone of them when they stray from the fold, directing them away from all booby traps. It is also the position of the shepherd to use the rod of correction to hit the not so obedient ones in the fold not so that they may die, but that they may turn to correction. No ordinary shepherd however, lays his life down for the sheep. At best, he allows the predator to have a limited number and scampers away with the rest while preserving his own life also.

Nonetheless, there is a Shepherd who does not want any of His sheep to perish. Hence, He volunteered to make Himself food to the predator instead of the same having his sheep. The story was once told of a very old man in a village who received missionaries who were just passing by on their way to another village. Incidentally, there were fierce lions on the way to their destination. To allow them easy passage, the old man volunteered to go ahead of them to make himself meal to the lions such that since lions do not hunt except they be hungry, his missionary guests can have a thorough passage. The Lord Jesus Christ has achieved a greater fete than this for us. Like the old man, He has volunteered Himself to die so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. Unlike every other known shepherd and their traits, He is the good Shepherd.

The Lord wants us to realize that no matter how tough things may appear, He will never leave us to the predator. In places where ordinary shepherds buckle, He who did not consider to save His own life for our sakes, will never leave nor forsake us. He however needs us to understand that when we are in disobedience to His instructions, He will not spare the rod of correction for our backs. Hence, when it appears we are facing the heat, at times it is the breeze coming from the rod of correction and not the scepter of the wicked. Therefore, whenever it appears we are going through some pressure, let us please first check to be sure it is not as a result of the operation of the rod of correction. In the final analysis, God has us covered as the good Shepherd. There is nothing to fear.

SOLUTION: By the operations of the good Shepherd over our lives, we have no need to fear. Let us be sure to obey His instructions so that we may not stray from His reach. Those who do, expose themselves to the predator.

Please pray:

·      Give thanks to the Almighty God for being your incomparable Shepherd at all times

·      Ask God to continue to be your Shepherd never to leave you out of His sight at any time

·      Pray that the Lord will ward off every predator from you and your entire family

·      Ask the Good Shepherd to give you rest all around by taking care of every enemy of your soul

·      Ask for your daily bread today

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