READ: PSALM 23; ISAIAH 53; MATTHEW 18:12-13 Remember when you were a little kid and would imagine what it would be like to be an animal? I do. I would wonder, What if I was a bird and I could fly? Or what if I was a cheetah and could run 75 miles per hour? What if I was a house cat and could lounge around all day without a worry in the world? Well, these musings aren’t just for kids. In fact, the Bible often compares God’s people to sheep. Think about that. We are God’s sheep. The fact that we are fallen humans can sometimes distract us from this truth. As humans, it seems like there is so much for us to worry about, from essay deadlines to car insurance. But the Bible says the Lord is our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). So even though we are human, and there are so many daily worries to tempt us, we don’t need to worry about anything because we are His sheep. And He is such a good Shepherd. Being a sheep also means that we have all wandered astray from God’s perfect law, despite all the blessings we had been offered in life with Him. Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.” However, God has laid His judgment on Christ in our place. Christ is not only our Good Shepherd; He is also the sacrificial Lamb who died for us, “and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Imagine you are a sheep under the care of a good shepherd who loves and provides for you. Isn’t that a peaceful thought? Perhaps you’ve sought greener pastures and found yourself lost in your sin. Yet, as we see in a parable Christ tells in Matthew 18:12-13, your Shepherd has left the entire flock to find you, rescue you, and rejoice over you. • Eliana Duran • While it can be uncomfortable to think of ourselves as sheep, totally dependent on a shepherd for things as basic as sustenance and safety, what can Psalm 23 show us about life with Jesus? • When are you most prone to wander away from the Good Shepherd, Jesus? Consider taking a moment to imagine yourself as a wandering sheep,and Jesus coming to find you, pick you up,and carry you to safety in His embrace. Your Shepherd loves you more than you could ever imagine. And you can rest in His care today. (If you want to dig deeper, read 1 Peter 2:24-25; 5:6-7.) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (NIV)