Finding Peace in the Shepherd's Voice | Angie Oswald

Good morning everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I'm very blessed to share a short devotional with you this morning. I know, especially for myself, this season of life is full of patience and waiting, which can also lead to worry about the present, the future, and many other things we sometimes forget to bring to God in the midst of the chaos. No matter where you are in this moment, even in a difficult season, God has you there for a reason, for His will in your life.

John 1:13-14 (ESV) says, “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” I think this verse reminds us not only of God’s will for our lives since the day we were born, but how truly blessed we are to see His glory revealed through the Word, and through Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth. God never intended for our lives to be effortless, but through His grace, we continue to be saved each and every day we come to Him. How amazing is it that even as sinners, we have such a loving God who pursues us every moment of our lives, even when we don’t pursue Him?

I can definitely admit that worry takes over a lot, that uncertainty overshadows the love of our God so many times, but God never fails to reveal that He is always bigger, and He is the only one who truly fulfills us with His peace and joy.

John 10:10-11 (ESV) says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus emphasizes in these verses that He came to Earth to lay down His life for us, even in spite of the brokenness and denial He faced and endured. He continues to be our good shepherd, our familiar voice, our stronghold, our redeemer, our strength. We hear unfamiliar voices and flee from them, or sometimes we don’t. But Jesus lays down His life for us as our good shepherd to be our familiar voice, our protector, and our guide.

Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” I believe these verses go hand in hand. We have the gift and blessing of following and fully trusting our lives with the Lord, but it’s up to us if we want to walk on the narrow path, or the broad, unfamiliar, yet temporarily fulfilling and comforting path that leads to destruction.

In the midst of chaos, when we put worry, doubt, anxiety, and so much more above the Lord, we naturally want to run from the pain. God calls us to endure these seasons as He is so much bigger than the temporary things of this world that attempt to fulfill us, and it’s our choice to let our good shepherd save us.

I hope you all have an amazing rest of your day, and hopefully, you found a bit of encouragement from this! Love you all! 🤗🤗🤗