Our God is a Shepherd God

[Hope]

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have
young.Isaiah 40:11


The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, is pictured many times
in the Bible as a Shepherd God. This may not be shocking to modern readers
- most of us don't know much about sheep herding beyond the few
sentimental
ideas we may have about rural life. But nothing was more ordinary in
biblical times that sheep herding. It was a dirty job. It was a low prestige
job.
A shepherd lived with his sheep. Day and night he was with them, paying
attention to their needs, providing protection, and guiding them.


For the little ones in the flock, the most vulnerable ones, there was
often
a need for individual care and attention. In times of special need or
danger,
the shepherd would seek them out, lift them into his arms and carry
them
close to his heart.


This is how God cares for us. God is a God of gentleness, of tender
affection,
of protection, and of nurture. Our God is a Shepherd God. When we feel
afraid
or vulnerable, God is aware of our need. We are gathered into God's
arms. We are carried close to God's heart.


I am your lamb, Lord
The wolves are not far off.
Pick me up and hold me in your arms.
Carry me close to your heart.
Allow me to experience the mystery of being held by your loving arms.
Amen.


Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan

[best]

King David knowing all that a shepherd does and knowing the heart and care that the Lord provided him, wrote the 23rd psalm.

A shepherd would put his own life on the line to protect his sheep.

Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, 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.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

[sugarssweetpea]

I am having issues this morning with a lot of things. I just basically told God that I hated Him. I do not really hate Him, I just hate the fact that He created me. I once again do not feel loved by Him. I have been struggling in my quiet time again & have been really depressed. I know that I need to spend more time seeking Him, knowing Him, loving Him. BUT as I am ready to get up to spend time with Him, ONCE AGAIN, my child gets up 15 minutes before me. ONCE AGAIN, I lost it. ONCE AGAIN, God pushes me away when I need Him the most. ONCE AGAIN, yes, it is every time I try to spend time with Him. How much does He truely love me & care about me if He will not care about what I am going through.

[mike_mass]

Psalm 23, a life saver for me.

[mike_mass]

Originally Posted by sugarssweetpea

ONCE AGAIN, my child gets up 15 minutes before me. ONCE AGAIN, I lost it.

Kids tend to be morning people, sugar. They start sleeping in when they hit the teenage years.

[sugarssweetpea]

Sorry if I ruined this great thread with my self pity party. Whatever it is. I talked with my husband for quite awhile this morning. God always speaks to me through him. I feel better. Still, Best if you want to delete the above post, so it will not bring anyone else down, please do.

[Hope]

Hi Sugar,

I was angry at God recently and also hating the fact that I was born. It was a very painful time and I'm still working through it.

I heard on Joyce Meyer that she had to study for a whole year about God loving her. It is easy to see how God loves other people but sometimes when it comes to ourselves, we may let our own guilt stand in the way of how God sees us. God loves us unconditionally no matter how we feel or think. God does not let what is going on with us affect his love for us. He knows the pain we struggle with inside. He knows every obstacle or thing we face in our hearts. He loves us regardless. God loves YOU. Nothing you can do or feel will stop that. Nothing. Even when you're angry at him, he still loves you.
Keep praying to him.

Ask God to reveal himself to you and how much he loves you. Keep praying that faithfully. God will hear you. God always keeps his promises and he won't let you down. Even when it seems like he doesn't listen, he is. Trust in that fact. He will never forsake you.

If the morning isn't good for you to spend time in the word, try to find another time. Even if you don't have much time to devote, God will still honor the time you do spend with him no matter how much or little it is. The point is that you are taking time to spend with him. The time you spend will increase as your relationship grows and becomes more personal.

Start with a little and get a lot. It won't happen overnight but God is right there loving you. You were created especially by him and you are you for a reason. You are special and worthy. Don't let the devil lie to you and tell you otherwise. You are God's princess forever and always. You are bought and paid for by the blood of Christ and the devil hates knowing that he has already lost. So he tries to bring you down but you tell him to back off because you are God's and no one can snatch you away!

Don't apologize for talking about how you feel. Thanks for being real and honest. God knows your heart and he honors the fact that you are reaching out and trying.
Believe that.
Lots of hugs!

[Hope]

cmc posted this verse on the bible verses thread and it seemed very fitting to your situation:

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 9:38-39

Nothing or no one can separate you from the love of God!