by Pastor Greg Laurie
November 9
The Shepherd and His Sheep
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." - John 10:11
Scripture provides us with many pictures of God. Not only is God our King, not only is He our Father, but He is also our Shepherd - and we are His sheep. Like sheep, we stray and get ourselves into messes of our own making. But God is there to rescue His flock.
King David wrote this about God, "You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away" (Psalm 139:2). So when God looks at us, He knows the deepest needs of our lives. But God not only knows our needs, He also cares about them.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, once said, "The thief's purpose [speaking of the devil] is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (John 10:10). You see, the Good Shepherd's desire is to care for us. He wants us to flourish and be well fed. He wants us to be content and satisfied. It is His joy to lead us to the green pastures and beside the still waters.
As the Good Shepherd's sheep, let us remember that our contentment and satisfaction in life does not come from our possessions or success. It comes from Whom we know. Let us, as the sheep of God, follow Him. Only then will we discover green pastures and still waters.
Copyright (c) 2004 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright (c) 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.