John 10:1-7 (KJV), "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold , but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep byname, and leadeth them out . And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow , but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you , I am the door of the sheep.”
The Message Translation says, “"Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he's up to no good - a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren't used to the sound of it." Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep.”
It is an interesting comparison here. The shepherd that takes such care and concern for his sheep that even the way he talks to them allows those sheep to become familiar to his voice and to be at ease and calm with it. And, the fact that he goes before his sheep to prevent any mischief or danger that might meet them. They follow him and are safe. They become so familiar and accustom to the voice of the shepherd that even a strange voice will send them running and scattering.
That is how we should be with God. He takes such care for us and provides for our every need according to His riches in glory. The love He has for us is unconditional. The plans He has for us are plans of hope and a future in Him. He knows exactly what to say to us, though His Word or a man/woman of God, that is exactly what we need in the situation we are facing. He goes before us to make sure that we are safe from the wiles of the devil and his demons. We need to become so accustom to HIS voice that at the sound of any other voice we are sent running to Him, our strong tower and refuge of strength.
I am so thankful that He is my shepherd…I am His sheep. And, I am safe as long as I listen and heed to His voice and stay within the fold. ♥
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