It's Me Again God

72. Life in all its Fullness

It's me again God,

How wonderful it is to know that you know me so well and guide me as I read Your Word! Thank You for the blessing of being strengthened in my faith day by day as I speak to You.

Having already looked at Psalm 23, I am familiar with the image of You being our Shepherd. In this passage from John, even though You were addressing the Pharisees, it helps me to know You more intimately and see Your love in a new light:

"Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.""
‭‭John‬ ‭10:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord, it's so wonderful to read these verses and see You as the loving Shepherd who always has the best interests of Your sheep at heart. We can clearly see the difference between the thief, who is only interested in breaking in and the shepherd who always enters the sheepfold the right way. There is complete cooperation between the shepherd, gatekeeper and sheep. Trust is seen in the way the sheep listen to the shepherd's voice as he calls them by name.

Thank You that You lead me as the shepherd leads his sheep in the story.  You go before me and will not abandon me! You are the great God who spoke and brought things into being, making this world and yet You also speak, calling my name! The more I get to know You as I spend time with You in Your Word, the less likely I am to be led astray by the Enemy, the 'stranger' of the story.

"Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
‭‭John‬ ‭10:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love the way You also refer to Yourself as the Gate, the only way to enter into the pasture, representing life.

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Eternal life is only found through You! At the time when You spoke these Words, there were false prophets and religious leaders who were referred to as 'thieves and robbers'. Now there are so many different religions, denominations and new age practices in the 21st century, that lure people away from 'the way and the truth.' The Enemy appears to be at the heart of these as he is the one who continually tries to steal, kill and destroy! I am so thankful that having entered into Life through You Jesus, I am saved and safe for all Eternity, as are all who choose to enter into Your Gate! Thank You for the great blessing of having everything in abundance, more than we can even expect —life in all its fullness until we overflow!

All praise be to You!
Amen.