Dan Blythe

Romans 8v28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The dictionary describes a shepherd as an individual who will guide, direct or watch over.

God’s purpose is that we are all shepherds. We are all on earth to support the lost, guide the lost, help the lost, look out for the lost and go after the lost.

Through you ‘a’ shepherd they can see ‘The’ shepherd.

The very first shepherd was Abel. Abraham and Moses were shepherds. King David was the best-known shepherd of Bible history.

Shepherds were the first people to see the newborn Jesus Christ.

Shepherds are servants, shepherds are committed, shepherds are loyal, shepherds are focused and shepherds would lay down their life for just one of their flock.

There is a commonly held belief that shepherds in Bible times would break the legs of lambs that constantly wandered away.

The shepherd will then bind up the broken leg; carry the sheep upon his shoulders and hand feed the sheep. In this way the sheep learns dependence and trust in the shepherd and learns to respond to his voice.

Now I am clearly not saying God inflicts pain! A loving Father would never do that to His own son or daughter. What I am saying is that God can use all things to work together for good. He can take a bad financial situation, dysfunctional relationship or family breakdown and turn it around. Through that process He allows the individual to recognize His voice again while being carried on His shoulders. In our weakness He is our strength.

Sometimes people wander so far from God they get into situations where they ask themselves “how did I get myself into this mess” Where is God now when I need him?

This is where you step in. The loyal shepherd who has been a friend no matter what the individual chose to do.

The shepherd who did not judge but loved.

The shepherd who cared more about the person than the problem.

The shepherd who went after the one.