All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

All throughout the Bible God reveals Himself as the Good Shepard. Good Shepard’s care about their sheep, and guides them to green pastures. He feeds them, protects them, and lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). It’s amazing to see the humor that God has. Sheep, are literally, the stupidest animals ever. They are dumb, completely dependent, constant wanders, stupid, desperate for protection and guidance, and always being preyed upon.

That’s us.

Like it or not, “All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned-everyone-to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”- Isaiah 53:6. We have gone away, we are stupid, yes, even as sheep. But there is good news.

Jesus is the Good Shepard. He laid down His life for us on the cross. He bore all of our sin, and the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Just as Isaiah said. And three days later He resurrected from the dead, conquering sin, death, and the devil.  He is very kind to stubborn sheep as us. All He wants is us. He wants to give us rest, but we are constantly unwilling to come unto Him, and finally have peace.

Please repent with me today:

Lord, thank You that You are the Good Shepard. Thank You for Your unfailing love that You even died for me. I receive Your rest, love, salvation, and i put my trust in You. Jesus, Save me. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

photo: follow4biblestudy.files.wordpress.com

 

I Rose Went Forth and Followed Thee

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

Charles Wesley was born on December 18th 1707. I am not sure at what year he got saved, but the Lord has clearly used his life in a very powerful way.He was a preacher in London, and a master at writing hymns. “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” is one of my favorites. Here is a section of it:

” Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.” -(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/c/acanitbe.htm)

This is an amazing depiction of a hell-bound sinners first encounter with the Living God. We are imprisoned, bound by our chains of  sin and darkness. Then all of a sudden, Jesus floods our hearts with His love by the power of the Holy Spirit. The “flame and light” is Himself touching our hearts. We can finally see the Truth of the Gospel. Our chains fell off, and our cold, enslaved, calloused hearts are free. And because of the power of the Gospel, we can leave that jail cell. We can stand up, and see our King, and follow Him with all of our lives.

picture: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/c/acanitbe.htm