4/25/2025
"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which
lives and abides forever."
1 Peter 1:23
I woke a little muggy this morning from not sleeping well the night before, but the first words to come out of my mouth were from a hymn..."I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing." I haven't heard that song in many a day, but it just consumed me. That happens to me sometimes, I'll have a song within me, and I sing it all morning. Sometimes it lasts for days!
Today was a busy day for me. My sister and I had planned on going out shopping, which I rarely do. We haven't visited for awhile, and it seems as if the last couple of times we were actually together, we were attending funerals. Not a way to have fun! We determined that we needed to have a family get together with all our cousins. I think that's a good idea. Family is extremely important, and as I have said before, I don't think God moved me back to Virginia to attend funerals. At least I hope not!
On the drive to my sisters, which is about 45 minutes, I have time to think and talk to God. It's an easy drive, so I don't have to worry about being cut off in traffic or side swiped by anyone. It's a pretty calm ride is somewhat pastoral. This morning in my devotional I was reading from John 10 where Jesus calls Himself the True Shepherd. Jesus is teaching about the thief, satan, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus has come to give life, and life abundantly. He identifies Himself as the good shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep, unlike a hireling who is an employee who has no stake in or caring about the lives of the sheep. When a ravenous wolf comes in to eat the sheep, he's not risking his life, so off he runs. Jesus says that He lays down His life for the sheep. Sheep are not too intuitive, but they do know the voice of their shepherd, and they realize that their shepherd cares for them. I witnessed this incredible truth played out in a short documentary about sheep herders in Africa. The different owners will herd their sheep into one corral in the evening. In the morning, when the time comes for them to gather their own sheep to pasture, they have to call them out from among all the other sheep in the pen. The sheep become so familiar with their shepherd, that all he has to do is speak to them, and out they walk right past the others, and then the next shepherd will do the same, and the next. It is amazing to see, given the nature of a sheep.
Jesus likens his followers to sheep. In John 10:14-18 Jesus says: "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
There is so much deception in the world. Jesus said it would be so, and in this passage He is warning of those false shepherds, hirelings, who only want to deceive, but they are not truly invested in the lives and development of character in the sheep. If anything, the hireling, or the thief, comes to scatter the sheep, causing them to scatter, then ensnare them in webs of deception - the jaws of ravenous wolves who lie in wait.
Sheep, like little children, easily accept love and attention, and they are drawn to kindness, even if initially feigned. We are called to come as little children with open hearts, tender toward our loving Lord, but as we mature in faith, we are called to be discerning. We must develop in our faith, growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the understanding of the truth of His Word. We are called to surrender our lives completely, abiding continually, nourished by His Word, drawing nigh to the throne of grace in fellowship with God who is Holy. We cannot become idle, but we must remain alert, under the Shepherd's care.
The way of eternal life is through absolute surrender. It is death to our "self," our way of thinking. The enemy of our souls has so blinded the eyes of so well-meaning people, even if it is possible, blinding the eyes of the elect in the service of God. Jesus said the same, warning us to remain vigilant from the snares of this wolf in sheep's clothing. Stand fast, my friends, for the hour is late, and the Bridegroom approaches. Draw night to God, and he will draw nigh to you!
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