Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood.  To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. —Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.  

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.  So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas.  Your spiritual strength comes from God’s special favour, not from ceremonial rules… —And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him….By [God’s] mighty power within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. 

Oh, what a wonderful God we have!  How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!  For who can know what the Lord is thinking?  Who knows enough to be His counselor?…everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory. 

And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will.  May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him.  

Heb.13:21 NLT; Ps.95:6-7 ESV; Heb.13:8,9 NLT; Eph.3:17,20 NLT; Rom.11:33-36 NLT; Heb.13:20 NLT

We pray, we wait, we hope, for graces we do not have, for strength we do not feel, for the overcoming of sins that seem genetic, for a breakthrough, a decisive victory a course of action.  But we are sheep, dependent on the Shepherd’s care and provision.  We can try new strategies, implement disciplines, and muster fresh determination but we cannot do for ourselves what most needs to be done.  He is the Shepherd.  He knows His sheep by name.  We kneel before Him and trust His leading for His glory.

And in this process, may David’s testimony become our own strong confidence:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands. Ps. 138:7-8 NKJV

My memory verses this week are my own prayer as I step into water over my head trusting God to make a way where I as yet can’t see one.  His good words fortify my heart!

Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.  Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.  Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Ps.119:2-3 ESV

–LS