Good Shepherd

  Good Shepherd

“But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’S salvation that he will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you, you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:13-14

God was rescuing, leading, protecting them and teaching them obedience and guiding them in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. Not once was God taking His eyes off of them. But early into the journey they started taking their eyes off those visual reminders and fear was beginning to take root. The Bible says, “They looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them!” What they could see began this spiraling of questioning at what God was doing because of what they could see. That is what happens to me.

Dependence. That is the word I was hearing last night as I sat with some ladies I will soon be taking a mission trip with. Complete strangers getting to know one another because of something we are being led to do together. As we sat and got to know one another something began to keep surfacing as the question was asked, “In what areas would you like to grow in?” Four very different women with different circumstances shared the same struggle of being solely dependent upon the Lord. That can look many different ways. Mine was the ability to continue to trust even despite what I see. Knowing that what God was calling us to do is knowing what will attempt to come against us. Being prepared within our hearts. So dependence on the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us will be the heart posture of not being afraid and standing firm. Praying that because we go and trust God will accomplish His will in and through us. Not anything we could ever do but being solely dependent upon the Lord. 

“Then the angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelites forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them.” Exodus 14:19

Despite my waywardness and mistrusting, he continues to guide me. Not just with me but going before me, with me, and showing me where to go. 

“Abiding isn’t a moment. It’s a lifestyle. God’s protection and peace are presence-based.” Eric Kavalauskas

The Holy Spirit within us will guide and direct us. But stopping to ask and receive that direction will be a day in and day out process. A lifestyle. But I love the above quote because it is the reminder that none of me and ALL of Him His Presence lives IN us forever. 

Father,

We aren’t alone. Satan wants to keep us with this unawareness and going alone and you tell us Peace and Protection come from you alone. Dependent and leaning into you Jesus to go and do really hard things knowing you lead the way. Trusting in you is abiding. You are our Good Shepherd. Continue to lead the way Jesus.

Amen