Ancient Words For Today - 16
For most of us growing up, our parent's voice was comforting when we were afraid. Their loving words of comfort and guidance where reassuring when we were troubled or needed help. We came to trust and rely upon them because we had experienced their love, concern and protection. We learned to seek their guidance because of their wisdom and our belief that they had the answers and would do what was best for us.
However, many people have had a very different childhood experience, having parents that treated them as a burden, who really didn't care about them at all, and in some cases mentally or physically abused their children. Over time, such children can become fearful of their parents and run or hide when they hear their parent's voice.
Isn't it wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us and will always do what is best for us in every situation? He sent his Son, Jesus, to be our savior and our shepherd. Jesus showed us the love of the Father with His words and deeds, and by giving His very life on the cross so that we could be forgiven our sins and receive eternal life.
Jesus is the good shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep (He lovingly calls us, who believe in Him, His sheep). When we come to know Jesus personally, we become familiar with His voice, and we follow what He tells us because we know it is the best thing for us. We learn not to follow the voice of strangers that seek to lead us astray. This is what Jesus told His disciples:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door:
by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 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. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:1-15
God bless you and guide you as you follow His loving and comforting voice!
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:7