by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Helpless Without Him…

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 2:25

I snapped this picture of our neighbor’s sheep just after he had put them out onto a new green pasture. Before my neighbor did that he carefully mowed around the field, and put up a four foot woven wire electric fence to keep his sheep in the pasture.

Why did he go to so much trouble to contain his flock when those sheep should have been grateful to have such beautiful green grass to eat? Why did he have to create such an impregnable barrier when these lambs had every reason to stay in their pasture?

The reason is contained in the verse from the Apostle Peter above, sheep have a natural tendency to go astray. It is part of who sheep are, wanderers. Never mind how wonderful it is on this side of the fence. The grass always looks greener on the other side, and woe unto the sheep that wanders away! There is danger everywhere on the other side of that fence!

Have you wandered away from your Shepherd? Have you wandered into temptations, sins, and destructive places away from Jesus? Have you not listened to the Overseer’s voice and have fallen prey to Satan, that old wolf?

Return to your Shepherd, and to His care. He will not cast you away if you come to Him and call upon His name. No matter where you have wandered, the Good Shepherd will come to you and take you back into His flock, and His love. Trust the Shepherd, not your own folly!  The One who laid down His life for you loves you, and wants you to come home!

I am Jesus’ little lamb, ever glad at heart I am.
For the Shepherd gently guides me, knows my need and well supplies me,
Loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado