Jehovah Rohi – The Lord My Shepherd
Do you feel like you are wondering aimlessly about without direction? You can talk to us.
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Want the good news or the bad news first? Let’s take the baa-d news first. God says you and I are sheep. Have you felt like a sheep lately? Acted like a sheep lately? Sheep are fearful, dull-witted, helpless, defenseless and vulnerable to attack. Sheep wander easily and get lost. Designed to be dependent, sheep need a shepherd. Does that sound like you? Sounds like me. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6).
But there is stunning news! The Lord is my Shepherd – the only Lord who has all power, authority, ability and wisdom. This Lord creates all things everywhere. His tool? A single word. He speaks and things form, instantly finished! “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1: 16, 17).
This Sovereign Ruler, sole owner of all worlds, all peoples, promises to be our shepherd. The Supreme Lord of the universe humbled himself – the high, Exalted One stepped down into the lowest position to serve and save his people. “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” (Psalm 100:3).
I can hardly wrap my mind around that awesome thought. The God of All Glory is our shepherd. How can that be? What would cause Jesus to sacrifice his deity, leave the glories of heaven and come down to search us out and save us? Yet He did! “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).
God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to be not only Shepherd but Sacrificial Lamb for our sins. He suffered and died to lead his flock to Heaven. As the only pure lamb, Jesus qualified to die for our sin, setting us free from the penalty of death. Then he rose again proclaiming we are joint heirs, priests and rulers with him in his Heavenly family! “For you know … that you were redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. If you belong to Christ … then you are … heirs” (1 Peter 18, 21; Galatians 3:29).
Is our faith and hope in this God? Are we listening for Jesus’ voice and following? If so, we are safe eternally. No one can snatch us from the Good Shepherd’s hand.
We bow in worship, Jesus. You are our Shepherd and sacrificial Lamb. You are God and we are the people of your pasture, the flock under your care. We love you. Amen.
Questions: Why do you think that Christ so often compares us to sheep? How do you respond to the fact that Jesus came down and became a sacrificial lamb for our sins? Is your hope in God or in other things?
About the Author Petey Prater
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Fullness of Joy, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Direction, yes! I wasn’t raised in a Christian family and one of the biggest gifts of the Church is the gift of having sisters and brothers in the Lord who hold me accountable to truth. And…Kanj, we all feel sheepish at times, that’s why we need that Savior, Jesus. love, Petey
Petey, thank you for your direction. Growth requires taking direction. I do feel a little ‘sheepish’ at times.
Crucial to the success is being in the fold – the Body of Christ. There is not perfect Body of Christ, because there are no perfect people, but we find safety and growth in Him with those who love Him and are also seeking Him. The church needs to mature in love, but we must seek support. No sheep can live outside the support of the flock for long. We too as believers cannot live apart from the Shepherd and the flock of those who love Him.
Hi Kanj, Check that first paragraph again to learn how people are like sheep. Bet you could think of a few other sheep ‘characteristics’ too. The wonderful thing is that we are safe in the care of the Shepherd. I love that! Blessings, Petey
To be honest, until now, I had not really thought why Christ compares us to sheep. Personally speaking, He compares and that’s all that matters. I matter, you matter, we all matter to Him. If there is a plausible reasoning as to why, I’m open.
As to how I respond to Christ being the sacrificial lamb for me/us? Immediate response is that I am not worthy of such a sacrifice for the sins I am responsible for but then as I ‘mature’ in my growth, I am learning and growing in our relationship and acceptance will be easier because I know He loves me, not my past sins.
My hope is in God and only in end times He alone will judge me.
Hi Gals,
What an awesome God we serve. From the Highest One to the lowliest, He came down that He might take us up. The only God who searches for and saves His people, often whether we are searching for Him or not. Wow! How privileged we are to have the Creator of the Universe as our Daddy God. Be blessed today! hugs, petey
today’s devotional was really inspirational and timely…God Bless
I like the imagery of this devotional. Thank you Jesus for being my shepherd and guiding me to safety, besides still waters, and restoring my sole. When I can’t walk anymore or am overwhelmed, you carry me across your shoulders. Thank you for always looking out for me. Amen