God takes care of you Isaiah 40:11
Today's Bible verse:
Isaiah 40:11
he will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his womb and gently lead those who are with the young. (ESV)
Today's inspiring thought: God takes care of you
This image of a shepherd reminds us of God's personal love as he watches over us. When we feel weak and defenseless, like a lamb, the Lord will gather us in his arms and draw near to us.
When we need a guide, we can trust him to guide gently. He knows our needs personally and we can rest in the safety of his protective care.
One of the most loved paintings of Jesus Christ is his representation as a shepherd watching over his flock. Jesus referred to himself as "the good shepherd" because he cares for us tenderly in the same way that a shepherd protects his sheep.
In ancient Israel, sheep could be attacked by lions, bears or wolves. Unattended, the sheep could move away and fall off a cliff or get stuck in brambles. Their reputation for being unintelligent was well deserved. Lambs were even more vulnerable.
The same goes for humans. Today, more than ever, we can find countless ways to get into trouble. At first many seem innocent diversions, just a harmless way to have fun, until we get deeper and deeper and can't get out of it.
The watchful shepherd
Whether it's the false god of materialism or the temptation of pornography, we often don't recognize the risks of life until we dive too far.
Jesus, the vigilant shepherd, wants to protect us from these sins. He wants to stop us from entering in the first place.
Like the sheepfold, that walled protective pen where the shepherd kept his sheep at night, God gave us the Ten Commandments. Modern society has two misconceptions about God's commandments: first, that they are designed to ruin our entertainment, and secondly, that Christians saved by grace must no longer obey the law.
God has set boundaries for our good
The commandments serve as a warning: don't do it or you'll be sorry. Like sheep, we think: "It can't happen to me" or "it won't hurt a little" or "I know better than the shepherd". The consequences of sin may not be immediate, but they are always bad.
When you finally realize how much God loves you, then you see the Ten Commandments in their true light. God has set boundaries because he takes care of you. The Ten Commandments, rather than spoiling your enjoyment, prevent unspeakable unhappiness because they were given by a God who knows the future.
Obeying the commandments is important for another reason. Obedience demonstrates your dependence on God. Some of us must fail many times and suffer much pain before recognizing that God is smarter than we are and that he really knows best. When you obey God, you stop your rebellion. God can therefore stop his discipline to put you back on the right track.
The absolute proof of the Trinity's care for you is the death of Jesus on the cross. God the Father showed his love by sacrificing his only son. Jesus suffered an agonizing death to redeem you from your sins. The Holy Spirit daily gives you encouragement and guidance through the words of the Bible.
God cares for you deeply as an individual. He knows your name, your needs and your pains. Above all, you don't have to work to earn his love. Open your heart and receive it.