Following The Shepherd

[Jesus said,] “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. . . . My Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”

John 10:27, 29

Sheep are followers. It’s their nature. If one sheep wanders off, the others are right behind it. They like to be in flocks and will band together for protection, because it’s harder to attack a sheep in a group than one who is alone. In times past, some shepherds would bring their flocks together in a pen at night, to be guarded by a gatekeeper. In the morning, the shepherds would return and call out to their sheep. The sheep would recognize their shepherd’s voice and follow him.

Have you ever been in a room and heard your close friend talking to someone outside the room? You recognized her voice right away and may have gone to join her. Or maybe you were outside with friends when your dad called your name. You went home right away because you recognized his voice. It’s that same way with Jesus and his sheep—that’s you!

Jesus is your shepherd, and he wants to lead you in the safest and best way. He knows what’s ahead, so he’s able to take you safely through it. Just as a shepherd may lead his sheep away from a rocky ledge or a dangerous animal, Jesus will lead you through tough times, temptations, and tests.

Psalm 23 says that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, supplies all your needs. He leads you on the right paths in even the darkest of times. He has abundant blessings for you when you follow him.

As you hear your shepherd’s voice, you can follow him and trust that he will always be with you, always looking out for you and always choosing the right path for you.

Read Psalm 23. Make a list of all the things the Good Shepherd does for his sheep. Look at this list to remember what God has promised to do for you.