Caring, Protective Shepherd

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” – (Isaiah 53:6).

Thoughts for Today

Throughout the Old Testament, we see an image of God as our caring, protective shepherd. We read in Psalm 23:1-2: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” And in Isaiah 40: “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (v. 11).

As God’s sheep, we can take comfort in knowing that our Good Shepherd loves us enough to go after the one lost sheep. He shows His love for us through His vigilance, faithfulness, and commitment to pursue that one wandering sheep; and when He finds the sheep, He joyfully carries him all the way home. We may think that we are the ones who found God—but God was the One who pursued us. And just like God never rests until He finds the lost sheep, we must also diligently pursue the lost sheep around us.

Is there someone in your life who does not know the Good Shepherd? Pray for that person today, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in sharing the Good News about the God who pursues us. Share your personal story of how God pursued you and never gave up on you—and how still today God does not forsake you, even when you feel abandoned by the world.