I am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11
Read Genesis 4:1-9. Who was the first shepherd mentioned? What word described the animals Abel brought to sacrifice to the Lord in verse 4? Why did God prefer Abel’s sacrifice here in Genesis? Read 2 Samuel 24:24. We need to remember the type of sacrifice that we are bringing to the Lord.
Let’s jump to Hebrews 11. Here we learn more about the brothers’ sacrifices. In verse 4, who was mentioned first? Why was his sacrifice acceptable, according to this passage? It was his faith. Abel brought the best part of his animal to the Lord. He did this out of faith. We need to do this also. We need to have faith and give God our first fruits and the best parts of the first fruits. We should even want to give God our first thoughts in faith every day. Have you ever thought of that? God wants to be first in every area of our lives. He wants all of our heart, mind, and soul.
God has always been the One who sees the person and sees the heart. It is significant that blood was spilled in Abel’s sacrifice. We know the importance of a blood sacrifice for us to be right with God. Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd, He lays down his life for his sheep.
Another good shepherd is David, who is known as a man after God’s own heart. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. wAnd you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, y“Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, h“Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
Where was David when Samuel came to his house?
God noticed David’s heart and chose him. David was a simple shepherd boy, who was next to be king.
Where is your heart? Is it after God? Are you putting your faith first and giving God your best?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your examples of others who acted in faith and gave their best. I pray that we will do that same also. I pray that we will put faith in you and trust you in every area of our life. I pray that we will desire firstmost to give our very best.
In Jesus Name
Amen
