March 14, 2001
"They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them.
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.
...snip ...snip ...snip
For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Isaiah 49:9-13
As I read this description of Jesus as shepherd I focused in on the sheep; they are completely defenseless without the shepherd which makes them utterly dependent on him. The thought made me a bit anxious... in my flesh, my sinful nature I don't like being dependent on anyone, as much as possible I want to take care of myself and be able to meet my own needs. One of my greater fears is something happening to me and not being able to take care of myself. It all made me realize that to some degree I can take care of myself physically but spiritually I am completely defenseless (on my own) and so I am utterly dependent on God. I have wrestled over the years to be able to relax in that thought but its still hard. I have to continually focus on the character and nature of God so that I can grow in my capacity to trust the God who holds my life in his hands. This passage helps me tremendously... I need the shepherd to guide me to the right places, he holds power in and over my life, he could leave me exposed and wanting but the promises are that he will never do that!! They will neither hunger nor thirst, none of my basic needs will be left unmet. He will lead us to springs of water, not tiny pools of polluted water but places of abundant refreshment!! I will still have to make the journey but God will turn the rough mountain roads into those that I can travel, he will not give me more than I can bear! He will always comfort and strengthen, when I am weak and feel too tired for the journey, he will provide the rest I need. He has compassion; what hurts me in this life, hurts him more. If God could again appear in the flesh he would walk beside me through the hard times, his arms would be around me and he'd help me to stay strong.