How Jesus Treats His Sheep
By Rick Warren
ow Jesus Treats His Sheep“When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.” John 10:4 (CEV)
Yesterday we looked at how the goodness of God directs and protects you. Today we’ll look at three more benefits of God’s goodness: how he guides, guards, and saves you through Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
God guides you. When you get confused or wander away, Jesus will find you and bring you back. Much like sheep, we tend to wander—and we get lost. So God sent Jesus on a search and rescue mission to save us, “to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10 NLT).
Why? Because every single one of us matters to him.
When God brings you back from wandering away from him, he will not punish you, but he may discipline you. Like a shepherd that wraps the legs of a sheep that is prone to wander, God may give you a limp to keep you from wandering.
God guards you. If you fail or fall, Jesus rescues you and sets you on the road to recovery.
We not only wander, but, just like sheep, we also stumble and fall. The good news is that you can run to Jesus every time you mess up and expect him to rescue and restore you.
Jesus said, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!” (Matthew 12:11-12 NIV) If it’s common sense to rescue an animal that stumbles, won’t God act the same way toward you when you stumble?
God saves you. If you trust him to save you, Jesus will keep his promise to do just that.
It’s not your job to save yourself. Your job is simply to put your hand in God’s and say, “I’m all yours—the good, the bad, and the ugly.” God loves you too much to ever let you go.
Jesus said it like this: “My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29 NCV).
When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you’re no longer on your own. When you feel lost, confused, or like you’ve fallen into a pit, you can trust that the Good Shepherd is always there for you. He will guide you, guard you, and save you.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Discover God’s Answers to Life’s Tough Questions!
What’s the best way to cope with stress? Rebound from failure? Defeat depression? Or have peace of mind?
Pastor Rick shares the answers to these tough questions and much more in his book God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions.
In it, Pastor Rick takes you to God’s Word for answers to twelve of life’s toughest questions, drawing from the examples of people in the Bible who faced the same challenges we face today.
God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions is our thanks for your gift to help reach more people through Daily Hope—so request your copy of this transformative resource when you give below.
Thank you for your support!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
