Shepherding isn’t as common as it was when the Bible was written. Because it’s not part of our every day life, we lose some of the imagery of the Bible when it refers to them. I read a book where a pastor went to live with Bedouin shepherds in the Middle East for a year to help him understand it more called, “While Shepherds Watch Their Flock”. In one of his stories he asked them what it took to be a shepherd. He got various responses, but one stood out. This gentleman said that you have to have a heart for it and the sheep. He then said that his own son didn’t have a heart for the sheep. He followed that up by saying that because of that, he didn’t deserve the sheep and that he would rather sell his flocks than to give them to someone who didn’t love them because they wouldn’t care for them.
In John 10 Jesus shared the parable of the good shepherd. This shepherd knew his sheep and they knew him. They also knew his voice and followed him. He also shared how the shepherd protects the sheep and is the door for the sheep to enter and go out through because the enemy steals, kills and destroys the sheep. Then in verse 14 Jesus made it plain by saying, “I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]” (AMP). As a shepherd, He has a heart for you and I. He knows us by name, cares for us and protects us. As sheep, we must listen for His voice and follow where He leads to receive what we need from Him.
In Ezekiel 34:12 God said that as a shepherd cares for his sheep, so He cares for us. Then in verse 16a He says, “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bandage the crippled, and strengthen the weak and the sick.” As sheep, we are in constant need of our shepherd. We tend to wander off, try to do things on our own and get hurt. God, our shepherd, is there looking for us to bring us back into His protection, guidance and care. When we’re hurt, He bandages us up. When we’re sick, He heals us. He also strengthens us when we are weak because His grace is sufficient for us. You are not alone while facing these. The enemy who Jesus referred to wants you to feel like the shepherd doesn’t care or can’t see you, but nothing is further from the truth. He has the heart of a shepherd because He is the Great Shepherd. Call out to Him today with your needs and let Him rescue you through a deep, personal relationship with Him.
Photo by peyman toodari on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 