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Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever 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 great shepherd, would always take care of his own.
Scripture is filled with the analogy of a shepherd with his sheep to portray God’s great love for us. When a sheep strays, the great shepherd will search and rescue it (Ezekiel 34:11-16). When the Lord is our great 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 Great Shepherd gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11). Maybe that’s exactly what you need today. 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 Great Shepherd. He will never disappoint you.
Lord Jesus,
You are my Great 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 Great Shepherd? Email us at prayer@ronmoore.org.
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“Great Shepherd gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11). Maybe that’s exactly what you need today. You are spiritually exhausted and need to be carried. You are lonely and need to feel the heartbeat of God.”
What perfect words for me to day…I am lonely and afraid and need to be carried for a while. I want to be carried by the Great Shepard and feel the heartbeat of God.