BIBLE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 17-19, JOHN 10: 1-21
Memory verse: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine”. John 10:14 (KJV)
The journey of life is full of many twists and turns. As we pass through, there are many times when we are confronted with some tough situations that need making the right decisions. It’s like when a ship on the high seas faces some turbulence, It will take the experience and strong heart of a sailor to be able to navigate through the storm. No one embarks on a journey without necessary information on how to locate their destination. In most cases if it were to be a country they haven’t been to before, they will engage the services of a guide to lead them through. These and more are what a shepherd does.
A shepherd is a guide, protector, leader, provider, teacher and care giver amongst other things. It is therefore very necessary that one has a shepherd as a companion on the journey of life; and not just any shepherd but the good shepherd. How do we know a bad shepherd? “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep” John 10:12 (KJV).
One quality we must look out for in the choice of a shepherd is the ability to defend the sheep when the wolves appear. Only a true shepherd will stay and fight but the hireling is afraid to lay down his life for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” John 10:11 (KJV). Another quality we should look out for in a true shepherd is the compassion to go after a lost sheep. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it”? Luke 15:4 (KJV). Another quality we cannot overlook in the search for a good shepherd is the knowledge and ability to guide and direct. A good shepherd knows where the pasture is and leads the sheep towards it so he can feed the sheep. How does he lead the sheep? He leads through his voice. “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” John 10:3 (KJV).
All the qualities listed above can be found in only one man. Our Lord Jesus is the good shepherd. He is the only one who fits the description and is worthy of our following. He says that “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” John 10:14 (KJV). If you haven’t known him already, today is an opportunity to know and have him as your shepherd. With him as our daily companion in the journey of life, we can be assured of navigating through life. He knows, he cares and he is able to defend us when the storms arise. (Psalms 23:1-6)
Prayer: Lord, I confess you as the good shepherd. Take over my life and lead me as you please.
Pastor Chika Nnamdi Ifeanacho