Yesterday, we began to look at the responsibilities of shepherds and how this helps us better understand Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We began our list with the following:
- Most shepherds take care of sheep, although they may be responsible for goats as well. Many shepherds must be on call for their animals around the clock. In the same way, our Good Shepherd is always on call!
Let’s add another to our list.
2.) A shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock.
So many times we think we are in control of our lives. We think we can control our children, our spouses, ourselves. We think as long as we are diligent, we will be fine. But we are not really in control, are we? Anyone who has gotten one of those devastating calls in the middle of the night knows that all too well.
But you know who is in control? God is in control. He is the blessed Controller of all things. If we are surrendered to Him, we do have access to the true safety that comes from Good Shepherd. That does not mean bad things won’t happen. It does mean that whatever happens will be filtered through His love. He will bring about good in us and through us in any and all circumstances, as we are promised in Romans 8:28.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Sometimes we don’t understand. But we still must trust the Good Shepherd. Do you remember that sheep sometimes get cast down? A sheep is “cast down” when it is turned over on its back and cannot get up again. A cast sheep will die if its owner does not get to it in time to right it. When a shepherd rights a cast sheep, he must rub her limbs to restore circulation so she can walk again. That’s where we get the word “downcast.” Have you ever been downcast, feeling that you have been knocked down and can’t get back up?
Psalm 42:5-6 says: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Today, my friends, trust in the Lord. Fight the desire to be in control, and hand the control over to the only One who can be trusted to handle every detail. Submit to Him, surrender to Him, and rejoice in the fact that He cares about every hair on your head, every fear in your heart, every detail of your life. What a great God!
Praying for you today!
Sara
PS Take a look at this video of my sweet Sally teaching her brother Proverbs 3:5-6!
