Everything Depends On The One For Whom We Pray

John 10:1-18, 27-30

John 10:11 “I am the good Shepherd”

If we are the sheep everything depends on whom we have for a shepherd. There are hired hands who are in it only for the money, or their selfish benefit, and the moment being a shepherd get tough, dangerous or a little inconvenient they resign and the sheep are left to wolves and thieves. The question worth answering is: Which is worse – hired hands or wolves? Wolves are honest and, they only do what comes naturally to them. Hired hands are profoundly dishonest and pretend to do what they don’t. God hates pretenders (Isaiah 56:9-12; Ezekiel 34). They can be any number of wolves licking their chops, wanting to eat the sheep, but if the shepherd is good, the sheep will be safe. If the shepherd is bad, it only takes one wolf to destroy the whole flock.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, in every way opposite of the hired hand. He is the gate. He keeps the sheep secure; no one can get to them except through him. He makes the sheep free; so they can “come in and go out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). The Good Shepherd knows the sheep by name, each one of them; everyone matters (John 10:14). Above all, Jesus is good because he lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11, 15)

When we pray, everything depends on whom we pray to. What is God like? Can we trust him? Will our lives be safe in his hands? Does he love us? When putting him to the test we will find that he listens because as the Good Shepherd he knows our name. He cares about us and laid down his life for us. He has plans for us and his purpose is to give us life in its fullness. God is no pretender, he hates pretenders. He is the real thing. We can go to him with confidence and joy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty, please protect and guide me. Good Shepherd, forgive my sins, heal my wounds and refresh me, not because I deserve it bet because you are the Good Shepherd. In Jesus’ name I pray today, Amen