Shepherd's Heart

June 24, 2025

The revelation of God as our Good Shepherd frees us from anxiety, worry, and negative thinking.

Today, let's explore the profound truth of having a Good Shepherd who guides our every step. This isn't just about finding comfort; it's about recognizing the divine care that surrounds us even when we can't see it. Prepare to discover how the revelation of God as our Shepherd can transform our perspective and free us from anxiety.

The Revelation That Changes Everything

Jacob's story teaches us a powerful lesson about perspective. Throughout much of his life, Jacob struggled with fear, worry, and negative thinking. He believed his dreams were destroyed and that everything was working against him. He even thought he had lost his son Joseph forever.

Yet at the end of his life, Jacob made a profound discovery: everything had actually been working perfectly. His fears had been unfounded. His anxiety had been unnecessary. His depression had been based on a misunderstanding of God's character and plan.

“I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” - Genesis 48:11

This realization came when Jacob finally understood something fundamental about God's nature, He is the God who provides more than we can imagine or dream. He fulfills beyond our expectations, supplying all our needs according to His glory, not according to our limited thinking.

The Shepherd of All Our Days

In his final days, Jacob articulated this revelation beautifully:

"May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day." - Genesis 48:15

What a powerful declaration! Jacob recognized that God hadn't just been present in the good times or absent in the bad times. He had been a constant shepherd throughout every season of Jacob's life, guiding, protecting, and providing, even when Jacob couldn't see it.

This understanding of God as our Good Shepherd changes everything. It transforms our imagination, our thinking, and our expectations. When we truly grasp that we have a shepherd who cares for us, leads us to green pastures, and protects us from harm, we can walk in freedom from worry and anxiety.

The Ultimate Good Shepherd

Jesus himself claimed this role explicitly:

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." - John 10:11

This isn't just any shepherd, this is the shepherd who knows each of his sheep intimately and personally. Jesus continued:

"I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father." - John 10:14-15

The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep mirrors the profound connection between Jesus and the Father. This is intimate knowledge, perfect understanding, and complete love.

And what does this Good Shepherd do? He doesn't abandon the sheep when danger comes. He doesn't run away to save himself. Instead:

"I lay down my life for the sheep."

This is the ultimate demonstration of the shepherd's heart, willingly giving his life to protect those in his care. Jesus did this voluntarily:

"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." - John 10:18

Living in the Shepherd's Care

When we truly understand that we have a Good Shepherd who has been with us all our lives, it changes how we face each day. We can begin our mornings with the confidence that our Shepherd is leading us to places of blessing and favor. Even when we make mistakes or fall, our Good Shepherd will lift us up and carry us forward.

This revelation sets us free from anxiety, sickness, poverty, and all the burdens of this world. It enables us to live a godly, prophetic life, seeing beyond our current circumstances to the greater reality of God's care and provision.

The Good Shepherd is always looking for us. He searches for the one lost sheep, even leaving the ninety-nine to find it. He's the one who will even give his life for his sheep, and did, on the cross of Calvary.

Conclusion

Like Jacob, many of us come to this revelation late. We spend years worrying, fearing, and imagining the worst. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can embrace the truth now that we have a Good Shepherd who has been with us all our lives and will continue to be with us all our days.

This understanding doesn't just change our perspective, it transforms our entire lives. It frees us to walk in confidence, peace, and joy, knowing that we are never alone and never without care. Our Good Shepherd leads us, protects us, and loves us with an everlasting love.

Reflect on This

1. In what areas of your life do you need to recognize God's shepherding presence that has been there all along?

2. How might your daily experience change if you began each morning with the confidence that your Good Shepherd is leading you to green pastures today?

Prayer

I declare that You are my Good Shepherd who has been with me all my life. You lead me to green pastures and still waters. Even when I walk through valleys of darkness, You are with me, carrying me on Your shoulders. I am never lost or abandoned because You know me intimately and call me by name. Your love for me was demonstrated on the cross, and that same love guides me today. I walk in freedom from anxiety and fear, confident in Your perfect care. Thank You for being my Shepherd all my days. Amen.

Key Takeaways

• God provides more than we can imagine, fulfilling our needs according to His glory, not our limited thinking.

• The revelation of God as our Good Shepherd frees us from anxiety, worry, and negative thinking.

• Jesus, our Good Shepherd, knows us intimately and laid down His life voluntarily to demonstrate His love.

• When we understand God has been our Shepherd all our lives, we can face each day with confidence and peace.

• The Good Shepherd never abandons us, He searches for us when we're lost and carries us when we stumble.

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.