*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

*WHY THE SHEEP NEEDS A SHEPHERD (2)*

*BIBLE READING: PSALM 23*

*And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15(NKJV).*

Yesterday, we looked at some reasons why every sheep needs a shepherd. Today we will be exploring further, and studying some reasons why we as the sheep of the Lord’s pasture, need the oversight of a shepherd over our lives:

1) He leads the sheep: Psalm 23:3b, "...He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake." The flock does not know its way about, so it is the shepherd's duty to show it. Sheep have been known to fall over cliffs to their death because they did not follow their shepherd. We must have complete trust in Jesus and in the leadership He has placed over us to lead us where we need to go. If we decide to make our own path we will be led astray into destruction (1 Peter 2: 21, John 8:12).

2) He tends to the wounded and the sick: Once in a while, some of the sheep may get sick or infected, the shepherd has natural remedies and ointments to cure any infirmity. Exodus 15:26, *and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”*

3) He finds the lost sheep: A shepherd goes out to look for every missing sheep in his flock (Luke 15: 3-7). Some shepherds might not bother to look for one lost sheep, but the good Shepherd will.

The best thing about being a sheep is that we belong to the “Good Shepherd.” Sheep belong to the Shepherd, who owns them. Under His care, they are tenderly looked after, and all of their needs are met. As David puts it, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). The imagery of a shepherd and his flock, provides a picture of the way God cares for His people, thus, this imagery also serves as a model for human leaders. God cares for His people as a shepherd cares for his flock.

Stay submitted to the authority of Jesus Christ and to the authority of His delegated leadership, and you will be protected, nourished, and receive strength and healing when you need it.

*PRAYER
I surrender my will to You Lord, and I also submit myself under the authority of the spiritual leaders You have placed over me because I know that they will give an account of my soul to You. I pray Lord, that I will not make their job of watching over my soul difficult for them, so that I will enjoy the benefits of being placed under their care.

*CONFESSION
The Lord leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, I shall not fail, falter or fall by the way the side.