Daily Devotional: Thursday, March 26, 2020
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 53:6 (KJV) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Our verse begins with the word “all.” Does “all” mean some? Many? Most?
Not it means all. All of us go astray. All of us resist God. We want to do what we want to do. We want to go where we want to go. We refuse to obey God. We think the other sheep are stupid and that’s why they need the shepherd, but we’re smarter. We don’t need God.
This is the way stupid sheep think. This is the way little boys and girls and big Daddies and Mommies think, too. Isaiah is right when he says, “All we like sheep have gone astray.”
What does it mean to “go astray?”
It means to go our own way. “We have turned everyone to his own way.”
We’re so rebellious. So willful. So independent. So much like stupid sheep.
Over on the southern coast of England is a place called Beachy Head. It is a very dangerous and sobering place. Imagine you were there and watching a flock of sheep being led by their shepherd keeping them safe while they graze.
Then look! One sheep leaves the flock and runs toward the the five-hundred foot cliff. He’s running straight to his death. The shepherd knows his sheep won’t be able to stop. There’s no fence guarding him from going over the edge. He’ll fall five-hundred feet and be smashed on the rocks below. Sheep graze this grass and it has no fence. See this picture of the sheep grazing at Beachy Head?
See how very small the lighthouse is at the bottom of the cliffs? Can you see the tiny people at the top of the cliff?
All of us like sheep are going our own way. Every man is running towards the cliff of God’s judgment.
What will the shepherd do to save his sheep? What has God done to save His sheep?
QUESTIONS
- Are you a stupid sheep or a smart sheep?
- Would you want your shepherd to let you run over the edge of this cliff at Beachy Head?
- If you were the shepherd, do you think you’d be angry at the sheep and let him run?
SONG OF THE WEEK
Man of Sorrows
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Good Shepherd, I am a stupid sheep—teach me to think and feel as I should; I am a wandering sheep—lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake; I am a fearful sheep—I need the comfort of Your rod and staff; Merciful Lord, although I am stupid, prone to wander, and full of fear, by grace I know that am Your sheep—please make me to hear at all times the sound of Your voice and to follow You wherever You lead; with You is safety, green pastures, still waters, and a cup that runs over. Amen.
OTHER PRAYER NEEDS
- God’s provision for us as families and a church
- Repentance and revival for our nation
SCRIPTURE MEMORY THIS WEEK
Isaiah 53:7-8 (KJV)
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
