The Good Shepherd Part 1: Forget Not All His Benefits

Hello hello!  Happy Fall Ya’ll!  I am so grateful to finally be experiencing some fall weather here in the south!  This is my absolute favorite time of the year!

With the holiday season upon us, this is the perfect time to reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of the Good Shepherd.

However, with the BUSYNESS of the season, we often forget about the REAL reason for the entire season.

He is the one who makes it all possible.  He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.  (Colossians 1:17)

He is the one that forgives all of our sins.

He is the one who heals all of our diseases.

He is the one who redeems our lives from the pit.

He is the one who crowns us with love and compassion, and satisfies our desires with good things. 

He is our protector and provider.

In biblical times, a shepherd had an awesome task.  He knew each and every sheep intimately.  He tended to the flock with great care.

He provided for them by leading them to pastures to eat, and by streams and troughs to drink.

He protected them from large wild beasts, and he watched over them very closely at night.

The Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, does the same with us. 

Psalm 23 reminds us that He is the one that provides for us.  He is the one that settles us and calms our fears.

He is the one that guides us and corrects us when needed, leading us down the path of righteousness.

He is the one who restores and refreshes us.  He is the one that covers us in the darkest of times and never leaves us.

It is Him that makes the impossible..possible. 

It is Him, The Good Shepherd, that knows what’s best for us. He cares for us much better than we can ever care for ourselves.

Yet, we want to do things our own way.

We want to live according to our desires, despite what His word says.

We want to live according to what pleases our flesh, sometimes very willingly, and knowing that it is the exact opposite of what He wants us to do.

Do we regard His word as truth, or mere suggestions?

I sometimes have to check myself, and ask if I know better than God, if I am smarter than God.

Who do I call on when I get into a bind?

Who do I call on for healing for myself, my friends, and my family?

Who do I call on when I need direction?

But, I find myself wanting to go according to my plans, my desires, and my direction.

The sheep in the sheepfold are covered and protected when they are in the fold. When they go astray, they leave the protection and guidance of the shepherd.

But, oh how faithful He is! When we get lost, and wonder off, He will leave the 99 and chase after the 1! He will chase after YOU!

There are so many who name the name of Christ. But, are we just followers or are we disciples?

Are we just following Him for the signs, miracles, and wonders? Are we just following Him for the fish and the loaves? Are we just following Him for the healings and deliverances?

Or….

Are we following Him because He loves and cares for us, and we want to live our life for Him, and according to what He wants and what He desires?

After all, He knows what’s best for us.

Let’s think about it this way…

Why do we make rules for our children? We make rules and we have guidelines for our children to keep them safe.

Even though our children may think they know best at times, we know that they don’t see a lot of the pitfalls that may lie ahead if they don’t follow directions.

Our Good Shepherd has done the same for us.

Sis, let’s stay in the sheepfold.

Yes, He is a good God. Yes, He is a God of love. Yes, He forgives us of our sins.

I don’t know about you, but for these reasons, I want to follow Him with my whole heart. I don’t want to take these facts for granted, and use them as leverage to follow my own desires, especially when those desires go outside of the boundaries that He has set for us.

I want to follow the one who knows what’s best for me.

I want to follow the one who will protect and shield me from attacks of the enemy.

I want to follow the one who knows me intimately, and cares for me and heals me when I am wounded and hurting.

And I don’t want to follow Him when it’s convenient for me. I don’t want to follow Him only when it benefits me.

I want to follow Him all of the time.

Let’s forget not all of His benefits, and follow Him and love Him and with our whole heart because he loves us.