21 Nov December 22nd Daily Devotion

 GOD PROMISED A SHEPHERD

Psalm 23  “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. . . “ (This Psalm is also a Messianic Psalm)

Sheep are unable to care for themselves.  They must have a faithful shepherd to provide food and water.  Their shepherd is their protector.  With a shepherd’s protection few of the lambs would survive due to their inability to defend themselves from predators and their general tenancy to become separated from the rest of the flock.

Throughout the Old Testament God personally watched over Israel as a shepherd watches over his flock.  God did this through the appointment of Prophets and Kings.  For forty years He provided for Israel’s every need in the wilderness.  During that time, He fed them daily, their clothing and shoes never wore out and a supply of water in that arid country was always available.

God sent Jesus, His son, to watch over you and all people.  Jesus said of Himself as recorded by John,  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:10-15)

God sent Jesus into this world to serve you as your Good Shepherd.  He guides you to the path that leads to everlasting life. (John 14:6)  He has walked through the “valley of the shadow of death” on Calvary’s cross having their taken upon Himself the death you should have died because of your sins.  He defeated Satan winning complete victory over him for you so you need never fear evil.  And, because He is your Good Shepherd you shall be blessed with goodness and mercy all the days of your life until the day He comes to take you from this world to be with Him forever in paradise.

Prayer:  Jesus, lead and guide me through this life to the eternal life You earned and won for me through Your life, death and resurrection.  Praise and thanks to You!  In Your holy name.  Amen.

All my heart again rejoices As I hear  Far and Near

Sweetest angel voices.  “Christ is born!” their choirs are singing

Till the air  Ev’rywhere Now with joy is ringing.

Hear! The conqueror has spoken: “Now the foe, sin and woe,

Death and hell are broken!” God is man, man to deliver,

And the Son Now is one With our blood forever.

Should we fear our God’s displeasure, Who, to save, freely gave

His most precious treasure? To redeem us He has given

His own Son From the throne Of His might in heaven.

See the Lamb, our sin once taking To the cross, Suff’ring loss,

Full atonement making.  For our life  His own He tenders,

And His grace All our race Fit for glory renders.

Softly from His lowly manger Jesus calls  One and all,

“You are safe from danger.  Children, from the sins that grieve you

You are freed:  All you need I will surely give you.”

Come, then, banish all your sadness! One and all, Great and small,

Come with songs of gladness.  We shall live with Him forever

There on high In that joy Which will vanish never.

(LSB 360)