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Isaiah 40:11 - Jesus The Good Shepherd.

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV) He tends his flock like a 
shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries 
them close to his heart; he gently leads those 
that have young.  

INTRODUCTION

God is often pictured as a shepherd, gently 
caring for and guiding his flock. He is powerful 
(40:10), yet careful and gentle. He is called a 
shepherd (Psalm 23); the good shepherd (John 10:11, 
14); the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the 
Great Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Note that the 
shepherd is caring for the most defenseless members 
of his society: children and those caring for 
them. This reinforces the prophetic theme that the 
truly powerful nation is not the one with a strong 
military, but rather the one that relies on God's 
caring strength. [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Yesterday, I learned something new from a 
Wyoming shepherd about the instincts of very young 
lambs. In the high country, large flocks of sheep 
graze unenclosed by fences. Shepherds and dogs 
keep them safe day and night. The sheep rest near 
the herders' wagons, sometimes within a 
lantern-lit circle. If the very youngest lambs are 
sleeping soundly, then awakened suddenly, they jump 
up, bleating loudly, then follow anything in 
motion. This instinct is what helps lambs stay with 
their mother and the herd. But if the motion is 
from an ATV or the predator that woke them, 
following could cost them their lives. 
   Later, as they get older, lambs will 
learn to follow their mother's voice as well as 
their shepherd's. 
   I like to think this may be why the 
shepherd in Isaiah 40:11 was carrying the littlest 
lambs in his arms, close to his heart. This 
description points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who 
knows His own and whose own know Him (John 
10:14). 
   Too often, like these lambs, I give in to 
knee-jerk reactions. I might praise someone without 
knowing very much about them. Or share something on 
social media that I haven't fully read or 
considered. I need to react less like a startled lamb, 
foolishly following whatever moves, and instead listen 
to my Shepherd's voice and follow Him. In 
Jesus's arms is the safest place for me. Suzanne 
Davenport Tietjen 
   Faith Step: Watch some sheep in person or 
on YouTube. Contemplate why we're compared to 
them. Then talk to the Shepherd and thank Him for 
His love and protection. [Mornings With Jesus 
2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

John 10:11 - The Fourth I AM; Jesus is The 
Good Shepherd. 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130602-2225.html 

Romans 8:29 - You Were Created to Be like 
Christ. 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220913-0858.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/