ICS Daily Devotions
Do not stray from the Good Shepherd
God is the Good Shepherd. But we, the sheep, have a tendency to stray and get caught in all sorts of problems! The people of God are supposed to listen only to His voice of instruction however, we often choose to listen to an alternative voice which could lead us astray and potentially destroy us.
John 10: 3-5 To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.4 And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Many of us have a tendency to do our own things without consulting the Lord or listening to His voice. These things include: not wanting to follow the values and principles of God, not seeking the will of God in our businesses, wanting to marry a non-believer, or wanting to pursue lifestyles which harm our health and family. Sometimes, we isolate ourselves from the rest of the herd or we intentionally go against the voice of the Shepherd and fall off the cliff!
Isaiah 53:6-7 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
God laid on Jesus Christ all our sins and iniquities while we have strayed from the Chief Shepherd and sinned against God. God came to give us life abundantly. Yet there are many Christians who still choose to stray despite multiple guidance and counsel.
When we make choices in life without consulting God or go against the Word of God, we walk away from the protection of the Shepherd and we will be open to the attack of the “lions, bears and wolves”. We are then devoured, hurt or destroyed by the enemy whose purpose in life is to kill, steal and destroy!
When we stray from God, His voice will become weaker as we wander further away. His voice will also become weaker to us if we selectively listen to Him, shut Him off or quench His promptings.
Learn to listen and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. Do not be led astray by the alternative voices clamouring for our attention daily. God will protect you and lead you to green pastures and still waters in life because He is the Good Shepherd!
Sermon Series: Knowing God My Good Shepherd
