Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

It has become a comedy legend and the real performance happened before the story got written.

The time: in the last couple of weeks before Christmas probably between 2004 and 2009.
The place: the south parking lot of First Presbyterian Church.
The set: a crudely crafted stable, to provide temporary housing.
The characters: A novice shepherd (aka an Associate Pastor, 3 unruly sheep, a donkey, and some angels.

It was several hours before the true performance was to begin. The front of the stable was secure, but the back and side walls covered with burlap posed no obstacle for “big nosed and nosy sheep” who quickly escaped, were running around and at any moment could have quickly become some lamb chops with the streaming traffic on Sixth Street NW. These blessed angels, who just happened to be passing by, assisted the shepherd in corralling the sheep while the donkey just kept chewing without a single Hee Haw!

It just goes to prove that being a shepherd of 3 obstinate and determined sheep may look like an easy job, but just you try it, in that setting, for a half hour or more! If we humans are as unruly as those sheep or more so, then we don’t need just a Good Shepherd, but the Greatest Shepherd and you and I have that in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Thanks be to God!

We are yours; in love befriend us; much we need your tender care.
Keep your flock; from sin defend us; seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.

Prayer

Good Shepherd, thank You for Your tender loving care and for seeking us when we go astray. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.