There are many images for God in scripture: Friend, older brother, judge, mother, a door, and others. However, the one that is most common is THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
We often have a distorted image of God. All too often we can let our culture be our influencer and our guide about what God is like and even who He is. What is guiding and influencing you? Do you allow God to guide your life and your decisions? He laid down his life for you, are you ready to trust Him in your every day life?
INVITATION: What is training you and guiding you in your life? Are you ready for the Good Shepherd--who died for you--to be your guide in life?
MONDAY: Ezekiel 34:1-31. The people of Israel are like abandoned sheep. Their leaders (who they were looking to) have been poor shepherds who have not gathered them, nursed their wounds, fed them or protected them from danger. God promised that he would lead them himself in place of a shepherd like David, thereby promising to establish a new covenant of peace through the coming Messiah. Read Psalm 23 and/or John 10. These might be familiar, but read with fresh eyes about the caring, guiding role of the good shepherd. Reflect on ways in which you need to be cared for. Are you feeling lost? Are you carrying wounds or resentments that get in the way of joyful living? Are you hungry for spiritual food? Has someone given you false guidance? Consider repeating this as a guide to prayer: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." (Psalm 23:1)
TUESDAY: Isaiah 55:11-13: Al Hassler talked about how God guides us. One primary way is His Word. It is called "the bread of life." Is scripture a sustenance in your life? Al Hassler pointed out in his teaching that the Bible is a book of wisdom. It is not a quick fix answer book or "to do" list. It is a book that seeps into your bones and marrow and then helps you live it out in your day in day out life. Over time it becomes part of you. It changes you from the inside out, replacing a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. (Ez. 36:26). That takes time and is a process. It is about training. Not trying harder. Over the years, it builds wisdom and maturity in us. What or who is your "go to" guide in life? How can you begin to rely more on God's Word to you.....the word that "will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it?"
WEDNESDAY: John 16:13: Another way God guides us is through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God can - and will - guide you into all truth. What is your source of truth? Do you slow down and listen enough to know the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life? If not, why do you think you don't take time to listen?
THURSDAY: I Kings 19:11-18: God comes to Elijah as a "gentle whisper." Listen as God reminds you that you are not alone and He is still with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. How might you incorporate listening into your spiritual practices? Perhaps consider taking a walk today--without ear buds or a podcast--and do your best to listen for God's still small voice.
FRIDAY: Hebrews 13:17: Another way God guides is through the church and its leadership. Yes, there are poor and fallen leaders. However, Al introduced the founding pastor of Rockhills Church, Dave Lantz and made a point of saying that both he, and our current pastor, Adam Harris, are both men who seek after the heart of God in their lives, their families and their church leadership. They can be trusted. It's not popular to "submit" to leadership, yet that is the Scriptural way. It is important for peace and for order in our lives. Who do you submit to? What is your attitude about submitting to the authority of someone else? Can you trust that God has your best interests at heart?
SATURDAY: I Samuel 17:34-36: & John 10:12-14: David was the son given the lowly job of keeping his father's sheep. He risked his own life and fought off lions and bears to protect the sheep. Then Jesus uses the analogy of a hired hand vs the "good shepherd" who will die to protect the sheep. Do you trust Jesus? Do you trust Him enough to allow him to guide your every day life? If so, what tangible steps can you take to accomplish that?
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who guides you through His word, through the Holy Spirit and through the body of Christ and its leaders. He gave up His life for you. Will you trust Him today and this week? Will you trust Him with your life?