THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF YOUR SOUL

Good Shepherd. There is so much to unpack in those two words.

"You are good." What You give to me is good, or it will turn out for my good. Whichever it is, I can trust You. Knowing that You are good, allows me to lay down and rest in the green pasture You provide for me. There is no reason to be anxious about my future. You have told me what your plans are: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11, (NIV). Worry comes from fearing bad outcomes. My Shepherd only leads me to good places. There is nothing to fear.

"You are my Shepherd." I’m not on my own. You are guiding every step and taking care of every need. You speak to me. “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:3b-4, NLT) How do I know it is the voice of the shepherd I hear? The primary words He will speak are words of  AFFECTION, CORRECTION, PROTECTION, and DIRECTION. The primary words the enemy will speak are words of DECEPTION, DISCOURAGEMENT, DEFEAT, and words of DOUBT.

The enemy has come to kill, steal, and destroy. The Shepherd has come to give you a future and a hope. Who are you going to listen to today? If you listen carefully, it is easy to identify the source. If you are worried, fearful, doubtful, or insecure, you are not listening to and following the good Shepherd. Cry out to Him. He will hear you and leave the ninety-nine to find you and bring you back to the fold.