The Good Shepherd Guides His Sheep
God’s Word is filled with rich promises for His children. How do these “precious and very great promises” inform and direct your grief? How does keeping your eyes fixed on these truths anchor your hope in the Lord? In this series, we write about how God, through the promises in His Word, comforts and strengthens us in our sorrow.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11
The day before we found out our daughter, Lydia, had died, my husband and I were reading this passage in John 10. We spent some time reflecting together about how great this truth is. A shepherd is someone who tends the sheep, watches over them, and protects them wherever they go. Here, Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. We can know and trust that Jesus succeeds completely in this role as our Good Shepherd. We are the sheep, and Jesus promises that if we look to Him and listen to His voice, He will lead us to abundant life.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”John 10:10
The promise that Jesus is the Good Shepherd is a great comfort to my soul. As a sheep, there are times that I cannot see the surrounding danger. But Jesus, my Shepherd, does. As a sheep, there are times that I am paralyzed by fear because I do see the danger. But Jesus, my Shepherd, faithfully guides me and beckons me toward Himself. I am comforted to know that, no matter the circumstance, I can keep my gaze on Him because He not only calls me to Himself, but He has laid down His life for me, demonstrating that He is worthy of my trust.
We had no idea what was going to happen to us the following morning, but Jesus knew. Nothing surprises Him. He knew that He was leading us to a hard place, and the evening before He reminded us that we need to trust Him and follow Him wherever He leads. And in the time since Lydia died, Jesus has shown us how faithful He is to us. He has not left us or forsaken us in our grief. He has met us in the midst of it.
God has not promised me that the path will always be smooth. In fact, if my path was always smooth and easy, I would easily lose sight of my need for the Good Shepherd. The moment I found out Lydia died, my eyes were opened to see the great valley that appeared right in the middle of my path—one that I could not and cannot possibly navigate on my own. My soul is comforted by God’s promise that I do not have to be alone in this valley. He is my Good Shepherd, and He will lead me through the treacherous terrain and into green pastures where He will restore my soul. Only Jesus is capable of this.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6
As we walk through paths of grief, may we keep our eyes on the Good Shepherd. May we follow Him wherever He leads. He has promised us life and secured it for us by laying down His own life. We need not fear what we will encounter, because Jesus, our Shepherd, is with us.
- Carly Tweito
Hope Mom to Lydia Alice
My husband Josh and I live in South Carolina. We have three sons on earth and one daughter in heaven. I love spending time with my family, warm weather, coke zero, and cooking.
We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.
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