Isaiah 40:11
Thoughts from Amanda Cook
Dive Deeper
“He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
Isaiah 40:11
Behind the Scenes
As we learned from Crystal on Sunday, shepherds in Biblical times were very close to their flock. They cared for them; they tended them; they nurtured them. They made sure the flock was safe and fed. But more importantly, they made sure they all remained within the flock.
So, when we see God depicted as a shepherd that tends his flock, it’s very intimate and personal. Look at how it says He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. Can you picture anything more personal than that? That is the closest we can physically get to another person and yet, with our Father in heaven, this closeness is far more intimate. When our Father holds us near to His heart, He wraps us in the incredible power He holds as the Maker of the universe. He breathed out stars; and yet, He comes near to us.
When the lost lamb is found, it doesn’t’ have to jump into the shepherd’s arms. The shepherd eagerly gathers it up into his arms and holds it close – relieved to find it safe and sound. In the same way the lamb doesn’t have to seek out the shepherd and then make the effort to be with him, we don’t have to seek out God. He comes to us. He seeks us out. THEN, He gathers us into His arms. If you are a parent, you can imagine this for your child.
Make it Real
When my daughter was about three years old, my mother and I took her to Disney World. The happiest place in the world right? Or NOT! It can be a nightmare for a parent with a little one. The crowds, the strangers, the hidden dangers can cause any parent to have anxiety. Well, we took her in the Minnie House. She couldn’t wait to see all the features: the Minnie couch, the Minnie lamps, and the Minnie kitchen – especially the Minnie kitchen. We had to go through it several times so she could see all the different “Minnie appliances”. Did I mention the crowds already? They were so thick that you had to aim for a different part of the kitchen each time you passed through so you could see all the different things – you certainly weren’t going to make it through the throngs of people.
On about our third time through, Haley apparently decided she had seen enough. She was bored with it and just zipped on through to the end. And you might have guessed, we lost track of her. My mom thought I was with her, I thought she was with her, and SHE. WAS. GONE. If you’re a parent, your heart probably just started pounding out of your chest as you remembered a similar incident with your child. You can imagine the panic and the fear. We searched every nook and cranny of that kitchen, pushing past people and moving them aside (probably not so gently). We called her name as we searched and searched.
We made our way through the entire attraction searching and calling. And as we exited, there she was. Just standing there as calm as can be. You see, she didn’t know she was lost. I knew she was lost, but she was just following the crowd. So, while she had no clue and had no fear or stress, we were frantic. When I saw her, I immediately ran to her and grabbed her up to my heart. I needed to feel her and know she was okay.
As God’s children, I picture that with Him. We aimlessly follow the crowds not even realizing we are lost. But God relentlessly pursues us. He calls to us and chases us down. When we finally turn to see Him, He scoops us up and holds us close to His heart. The only thing we need to do is let Him hold us. Isn’t He such a great God? He loves us and pursues us and wants us to be in His presence. He doesn’t make us jump through hoops or do all the right things. Even when we are wandering aimlessly, following the crowd, engaging the things of this world, He chases us down.
Know this: the Maker of Heaven and Earth desires to have a relationship with you. He delights in you, loves you even when you don’t love Him. Do you need to turn around and see the Father’s love? Do you need to allow Him to gather you up and hold you close?
Colleen McGeorge
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Oh Heavenly Father, our Shepherd – thank You that even when I was lost, You pursued me. You loved me even before I knew I was made for Your love. Lord when I feel distant, draw me closer and when I’m close and overwhelmed by Your bigness, draw me even closer. Help me to lean in and rest in Your warm embrace. I love You Lord God. Amen!!