God Cares for You - Isaiah 40:11

Welcome to Verse of the Day!

Today's Bible Verse:

Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: God Cares for You

This picture of a shepherd reminds us of God's personal love as he watches over us. When we're feeling weak and helpless, like a lamb, the Lord will gather us in his arms and carry us close.

When we need guidance, we can trust him to gently lead. He personally knows our needs, and we can rest in the safety of his sheltering care.

One of the most beloved paintings of Jesus Christ is his depiction as a shepherd watching over his flock. Jesus referred to himself as "the good shepherd" because he tenderly cares for us the same way a shepherd protects his sheep.

In ancient Israel, sheep could be attacked by lions, bears, or wolves. Unattended, sheep could wander away and fall off a cliff or get stuck in brambles. Their reputation as unintelligent was well-deserved. Lambs were even more vulnerable.

So it is with human beings. Today, more than ever, we can find countless ways to get into trouble. Many seem like innocent diversions at first, just a harmless way to have fun, until we get pulled in deeper and deeper and can't get ourselves out.

The Vigilant Shepherd

Whether it's the false god of materialism or the temptation of pornography, we often do not recognize the hazards of life until we plunge in too far. Jesus, the vigilant shepherd, wants to protect us from these sins. He wants to stop us from entering in the first place.

Like the sheepfold, that protective walled pen where the shepherd kept his sheep at night, God gave us the Ten Commandments. Modern society has two misconceptions about God's commandments: first, that they were designed to spoil our fun, and second, that Christians saved by grace no longer have to obey the law.

God Set Boundaries for Our Good

The commandments serve as a warning: Don't do this or you'll be sorry. Like sheep, we think, "It can't happen to me" or "a little bit won't hurt" or "I know better than the shepherd." The consequences of sin may not be immediate, but they are always bad.

When you finally come to realize how much God loves you, then you see the Ten Commandments in their true light. God set boundaries because he cares for you.  The Ten Commandments, rather than spoiling your fun, prevent untold misery because they were given by a God who knows the future.

Obeying the commandments is important for another reason. Obedience proves your dependence on God. Some of us have to fail many times and suffer a lot of pain before we acknowledge that God is smarter than we are and he really does know best. When you obey God, you stop your rebellion. God can then stop his discipline aimed at putting you back on the right path.

The absolute proof of the Trinity's care for you is the death of Jesus on the cross. God the Father proved his love by sacrificing his only son. Jesus underwent an agonizing death to redeem you from your sins. The Holy Spirit gives you daily encouragement and guidance through the words of the Bible.

God cares for you deeply as an individual. He knows your name, your needs, and your heartaches. Best of all, you don't have to work to earn his love. Just open your heart and receive it.

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