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I pray you are having a great New Year’s Eve. As this year winds down, let’s focus on the One who loves and protects us every step of the journey. 

Hebrews 13:20-21(NIV)
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

In a telling self-description, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). He explained that the good shepherd was willing to lay down his life for the sheep. A hired hand would abandon the sheep to protect himself from the threat of wild animals. But Jesus, the good shepherd, will always take care of his own. 

Scripture is filled with the analogy of a shepherd with his sheep to picture God’s great love for us. When a sheep strays, the good shepherd will search and rescue it (Ezekiel 34:11-16). When the Lord is our good shepherd, we will have everything we need. Goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives until we dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23).  

Explaining God’s tender care, the prophet Isaiah said that the Good Shepherd gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11). Maybe that’s exactly what you need on this last day of 2022. You are spiritually exhausted and need to be carried. You are lonely and need to feel the heartbeat of God. Whatever you are going through, find help and peace with the Good Shepherd. He will never disappoint you. 

Lord Jesus,
You are my Good Shepherd. With you, I have everything I need. You provide me with nourishment and rest. You restore my soul. You comfort me. Even walking through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me…and will be with me forever. In your name. Amen. 

Do you need to experience the care of the Good Shepherd? Please email us at ronmoore@ronmoore.org.