Seek the Lord while he may be found. (which means “God with us”).  

- Isaiah 55:6

God does the unexpected! The first people the angels appeared to were the shepherds. Shepherds were considered to be dirty, uneducated and unimportant. However, the fact that they were some of the first people to see the Savior of the world should tell us that all people matter the same to God. He came for everyone. Jesus, Himself is called our Shepherd, that great Shepherd of the sheep.

So, what is the Role of a Shepherd?

• The Bible tells us that shepherds would lead their sheep to pastures and water (Psalm 23:2).
• They would protect them from attacks from wild animals (1 Samuel 17:34-35).
• And they would stand guard over them during the night (Luke 2:8), keeping count of them and bringing them back into the fold (Jeremiah 33:13).

Jesus does that for us as well. He protects, guides and leads us to still and quiet waters, rescuing us from eternal death when we believe in Him and accept His free gift of salvation.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Just like the shepherd who protects his sheep with his life, Christ offered up His life as payment for our sins. When we have faith in Him, we are protected from eternal separation from God.

In addition to that, sheep know their shepherd. They recognize his voice and follow closely after him. So, as believers, we should also know our Shepherd and accept guidance from Him. While we may not fully understand where our Shepherd is leading us, we can trust His leading because our Shepherd’s character never changes. He is continually good, just, loving, holy and infinitely merciful.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for coming after me when I wander away. I am so grateful that you are my rescuer.

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd