In scripture Jesus is often talked about as a Shepherd. He is our Good Shepherd and we are His flock. This is more than just a great Biblical analogy. It is testimony of how the Father sees Jesus’ relationship with us.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
JOHN 10: 11-15
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
A shepherd is more than a steward of property or people; is also more than a warrior (or hired hand). When Jesus tells us that he is our shepherd, He is telling us about His guardianship over us. A shepherd watches over his sheep with protection and more than that, devotion.
Beloved, Jesus is already Lord. Why did He chose to be a shepherd to us? On the surface some might think that a shepherd is a downgrade from being a Lord. But not God. Nope, He doesn’t see it that way.
It’s about devotion. A shepherd sits with his sheep rain or shine, danger or peace. The Lord is showing us in scripture that He is devoted to us. He wants more from His relationship with us than servant and master; He wants a devotion of the heart that is more than just bought and paid for loyalty.
Our returned devotion to Him is something that is essential to life in the Spirit. Spending time soaking in God’s presence in devotional worship is how we cultivate peace and how we learn to hear His voice.
It is in stillness and peace that God begins to speak. Remember, His voice wasn’t in the whirlwind or the thunder; it was still and quiet. Be still and know that He is God. Rest there. Live there. Connect with the Almighty there. Still the clamoring of your thoughts. We all have a background conversation in our mind that either feeds our fears or lifts our spirits. Stillness promotes a God consciousness.
THE NATURE OF GOD
I want to encourage you to take some time today for devotion to the Lord. Sit in a quiet place in your home, turn off your cell phone, limit distractions, put some worship music on and still your mind. As you do, you will begin to feel His kindness, joy and peace as they take you into an exclusive and very personal place of fellowship.
A devotional relationship with the Lord is a gift that allows us to walk with Him no matter the circumstances.
GO DEEPER: Becoming The Beloved is a soaking resource I created specifically for helping people get to this place of devotional worship. Check it out here.
I also have an entire collection of soaking resources you can look at here, including samples so you can practice and listen at no cost to you.
Want to learn more about soaking and what it means?
