The Great Shepherd and His Sheep

Jesus, our Great Shepherd, is leading us through our days and our nights. He is the One who truly cares for us and is watching over us for good. He loves us and desires that we stay close to Him. Apart from His guiding presence, we become the prey of evil that lurks on every side.

We cannot make it through life in our own strength; it is way too small. Our Great Shepherd is our Savior and Lord, who has called us to His perfect rest.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores
my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your
rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

See Also John 10:1-18 and 1 Peter 2:25

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Today's Devotional: Characteristics of a Good Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd

• A good shepherd loves and cares for his sheep.
• A good shepherd opens the gate for the sheep and leads them out to pasture; he gathers them at the day's end.
• A good shepherd counts his sheep to make sure none are missing.
• A good shepherd hears when the sheep are in distress; he comes and delivers them.
• A good shepherd gives gentle care to the sheep who are with young; he also strengthens the weak.
• A good shepherd makes sure the sheep are well-fed and have a safe place to rest.
• A good shepherd protects the sheep from danger.
• A good shepherd disciplines the sheep that go astray.
• A good shepherd aids the sheep that are broken and bruised. He binds up their wounds.
• A good shepherd is never far from his sheep.
• A good shepherd knows all his sheep and they know his voice.

Bible Readings:

John 10:11:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Photo credit: Flickr/Creative Commons user "Waiting for the Word"