Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd for humankind

Jesus Christ: The Good Shepherd
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”—Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

Out of all the chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known. It inspires us to remember God’s love and guidance in times of difficulty.

I recently went through a season of uncertainty. My husband and I had to make the difficult decision to move to another state. In this economy, moving can be very expensive, so it was a big step of faith.

As I was seeking God’s guidance, I kept going back to Psalm 23, specifically verse four where it describes God’s rod and staff. When I took a deeper look into the meaning of this verse, I discovered that the rod and staff were tools used for two very specific purposes by shepherds in biblical times. The rod was a short, heavy, thick stick used to ward off predators. This tool conveys power, strength and protection. In Israelite culture it was a symbol of authority—also used to correct and guide the flock.

The staff, on the other hand also represents God’s guidance, but this tool was used more to direct the sheep. It was a long, slender stick often with a hook at the tip. Sheep tend to wander. Therefore, the shepherd would use the hook of the staff to pull them out of danger and close to himself. This act kept the sheep on the right path.

Not only do sheep tend to wander, they are also completely dependent on the shepherd. They are not strong, nor are they survivors. Without the shepherd’s care they would be in grave danger because they are not hunters that can find food; they are small and defenseless, making them easy prey.

Surely as God instructed the men and women of the Bible, He lovingly directs His children every day. All of life’s “inconveniences” or “obstacles” could very well be us bumping up against the Good Shepherd’s staff. So, before you get frustrated, ask God what He is saying.

Here are five ways God guides and comforts us:

1. God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105-106 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.” A willing sheep would respond to the shepherd’s prodding but a stubborn, strong-willed sheep would not. Every day, we must ask ourselves: Am I surrendering to God’s leading, or do I willfully follow my own desires?

2. The Holy Spirit. Every believer is given the Holy Spirit to guide them through life. John 16:13 (NLT) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

3. Godly Counsel. Proverbs 15:22 (NLT) says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

4. Circumstances. Romans 8:28 (NLT) says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” So often we want to know God’s purpose for us, and it can only be found when we are willing to surrender our will to align with His will.

5. Common Sense. When we choose to yield to the guidance of God, He will enable us to think clearly and sensibly. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

The Bible describes all humanity as “like sheep.” Isaiah 53:6 (NLT) says: “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”

Jesus Christ (The Good Shepherd) not only guides us and keeps us out of danger; He made a way for us when there was no way to give us eternal life (John 3:16). He took upon Himself the sins of the world so that we could all be saved. When we seek God, we will find that even in the shadow of death, we can find comfort in Him.

In closing, our move from New York to Texas was not an easy decision. We had lived and worked in NYC for over twenty years—that is where our careers were made. I knew it was time to make the move when I saw certain doors closing. Circumstances are almost always the best way God leads us. Now we are living near my family in Texas. It is wonderful to finally get to see my niece cheerlead and my nephew play piano.

God always knows what we need, and His timing is always perfect.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for loving us enough to send your perfect Son (Jesus Christ) to die for us so that we can not only have eternal life, but a close relationship with You. Help us not to be frustrated or angered by all of life’s trials. Teach us how to see your signature on each challenge we face. Help us to walk closer to You so we may align our will with Your divine plan and purpose for our life.

In the Precious Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)” by Shane and Shane. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/