Daily Devotional: Friday, March 27, 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.”
You remember yesterday we saw the pictures of the sheep grazing next to the 500 foot cliff? We talked about what would happen if one of the sheep went running away from the shepherd right towards the cliff. There’s no fence to keep him from falling 500 feet onto the rocks below.
It would be a terrible death for the sheep.
But what if the shepherd saw his sheep running toward that cliff and sent his beloved sheep dog to save him? Shepherds depend on their sheep dogs. They love their sheep dogs.
What if this shepherd knew his dog would have to run really fast so he could get between the sheep and the cliff. Then, at the very last second, the dog would have to turn his back to the cliff and bark and growl and nip the sheep’s legs so the sheep would turn and run back to the shepherd. The shepherd would send his dog knowing he would die. His dog would only get between the sheep and the cliff at the last second. Then, while he was lunging at the sheep and growling, the dog’s hind legs would slip off the edge and he’d fall to his death. The sheep would be saved. The rebellious sheep would return to the shepherd but the shepherd’s beloved dog would die saving him.
This is our rebellion against God. All we like sheep refuse to follow His commands. We turn away from Him to go our own way. We’re all running for the cliff, but God looked on us with love and sent His Son to save us. The Father sent His beloved Son to die.
We were the rebellious sheep, but God put our rebellion on His Son. Jesus bore our sins so that His death and righteousness could be placed on us. Jesus suffers and dies for us.
QUESTIONS
- What did Jesus bear for us on the cross?
- Can you name one sin you need Jesus to bear for you?
- Do you love Jesus? Do you love His Father Who sent Him to save us?
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
Gracious Father, I have sinned against You times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, and of neglect to seek you in my daily life. My sins and shortcomings present me with a list of accusations, but I thank you that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Deliver me from every evil habit, every interest of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of your grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in you. Amen.
OTHER PRAYER NEEDS
- Give thanks for God’s many kindnesses to you!
- For a tender and compassionate heart towards others
- For diligence and consistency in prayer and Bible reading
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.
