The Good Shepherd
We don’t often use the label ‘enemy’. A definition of an enemy is someone or something that can harm or weaken you. Think for a moment about those people in your life who have harmed or weakened you – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Perhaps time has passed, yet the memories of these wounds rise from the depths – the pain, the cruel words, lies, gossip, rejection, insecurity, fear, anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, continuing to harm and weaken you. People have broken your trust, betrayed you, taken advantage of you.
The God of the universe is not influenced by your enemies. He is not scared of them. They have no power over Him. God is not working with them to bring you down. He doesn’t get caught up in the gossip, the lies, the mocking, the belittling, or the ridicule. Instead, He silences your enemies by showing them how important you are to Him; how protected, loved and favoured. Look around that table. The creator of the universe, the good Shepherd who laid His life down for you, for me, silencing the voices and actions of your enemies, those feelings, those fears, that pain, through His favour, His provision, His protection, His refreshing, and His abundance that He willingly and lovingly shares with you.
Look around that table again. God doesn’t take counsel from your tormentors – those who mock you, defraud you, disregard you. He doesn’t need their support or approval. God knows who you are and loves you more deeply than you can imagine. He can restore you, refresh you, protect you, and provide for you in abundance. Focus on Him.
You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
Psalm 23:5
Enter the Shepherd.
In John 10, Jesus says in verse 11, ’I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep’. And then in verse 14, ’I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me’.
Jesus is our shepherd, so we lack nothing because He knows how to care for us and protect us from all the things that come our way. He knows us, He loves us and has given His life so that we might have eternal life. The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want.
The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep in His care.
John 10:10-11
Father, I decree today, that You Lord are my Shepherd, therefore no evil shall come near my dwelling In Jesus Christ Name. You Lord are my defender, therefore no enemy shall prevail over my life In Jesus Christ Name
hope14me.org 