Daily Devotion With Pastor Dan – September 18th, 2020
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 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. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:11-14 KJV)
There are thieves and robbers who encroach upon God’s people today. Paul even writes concerning them – (1 Timothy 6:3-5). There is the danger of the hireling – who has no concern at all – again (John 10:11, 12). He is the one who tends to the flock for his own benefit (Matthew 7:15) (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) (Acts 20:29). And it is sad but there are many like that today, and we should not follow them. But I was thinking that since we have a great loving and caring Shepherd Who watches over us, and takes care of us, how should we respond to Him?
We need to heed His voice! His sheep hear His voice – they follow Him because they know His voice – again – (John 10:2-4). Rightly so, Jesus expects His sheep to heed His voice (Luke 6:46). The question we might ask ourselves is, “Do we listen for, or hear His voice as our Shepherd?” I hope our answer is with a big “YES!” But how do we do this? One way is by heeding the words of His apostles – (Acts 2:42). Or let me just say by heading His Word. Are we following the Shepherd by heeding His?
As His sheep, we also enter His gates with thanksgiving – making joyful shouts to our Lord. Thanksgiving is the only appropriate response for what our Shepherd has done, and is constantly doing for us. For God is…….
- Our creator – (Isaiah 45:12)…..“I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”
- Our sustainer – (Isaiah 2:3)…..“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
- Our redeemer – (Isaiah 44:6)…..“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
Because God is these things – we have no right to be anything but thankful towards Him. Think about the care we receive from our Lord, our Shepherd. What can I we be thankful for?
- Thankful for our existence – (Ephesians 5:20)…..“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Thankful for our daily bread – (1 Timothy 4:4)…..“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:”
- Thankful for our salvation – (Romans 6:17)…..“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
- Thanksgiving requires us to focus on the blessings that God has provided
- When we stop focusing on the blessings God has provided – we can easily lose our perspective regarding thanksgiving – and when we lose our perspective regarding thanksgiving – our fellowship with God can suffer
Thanksgiving will bring about a change in our attitude
- Thanksgiving leads to humility – (Proverbs 29:23)
- Thanksgiving leads to dependence on God in prayer – (Philippians 4:6)
- Thanksgiving leads to joy – (Psalm 97:12)