Trusting Our Shepherd

When we come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we know that our sins are forgiven and that there is an eternal Home waiting for us in Heaven when we die.  The Lord Jesus may return soon and take us to be with Him for all eternity.  We know that none us deserve forgiveness of our sins or a place in Heaven.  God, out of His great mercy and amazing grace provided a way for us to have both by trusting in Jesus Christ sacrifice on the Cross for us. 

We know these things or at least I hope we know these things.  I hope we have trusted what Jesus did for us on the Cross.  There is something that we seem to forget sometimes.  We forget that this world is not our home and that we have a very dangerous enemy that prowls around like and hungry lion trying to see whom he can devour.   I talking about every Christian's enemy, the devil.

When we were unbelievers he left us alone because we didn't pose a threat then.  We were acting life the rest of the world in complete disobedience to God.  That is the name of the devil's game, disobedience and of course lies.  The devil is the father of lies. 

The devil whispers these lies in our ears and plants the seeds of fear.  If we aren't paying attention those lies will take root and throw us completely off the course in which the Lord has called us to walk.  We begin to drift off into unbelief and fear.  

We know from John 10:10 which says,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."

This is Jesus telling us this.  The thief who is the devil come only to steal and kill and destroy.
He tries to steal or joy, our hope, our trust, and our faith.  The devil will throw anything at us that he thinks will make us stumble and be ineffective for the Lord.

We often get tempted to be discouraged and just want to give us because things seem so difficult.  That is exactly what our enemy wants.  He wants us to feel afraid and discouraged because when we are we won't accomplish the Lord's will for our lives. 

The Lord tells us that we will have trouble in the world, but He also tells us to take heart that He has overcome the world.   We can trust Jesus to protect us from the attacks of the devil.  We can trust the Lord to restore those things that the devil has stolen from us whatever it may be.  We need to trust the Lord to do that in His timing. 

The Lord is our Shepherd and He is the One that laid down His life for the sheep.  The sheep are all of those who put their faith and trust in Him.  John 10:11 says, "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."  That is exactly what the Lord has done for us.  We can trust Him to help us in our times of trouble and sorrow.

The enemy may attack us in many ways and he may use people that we know to do it as well.  There is One who promises never to leave us nor forsake us and that of course is Jesus Christ.   Jesus has come that we may have life in Him and have it to the full.  

Allow the hope that we have in Jesus Christ fill your hearts and melt your fears.

Lord,
Thank You for protecting us and setting us free.
Thank You Lord that no matter what tomorrow may bring we can trust in You.
In Jesus name,
Amen.