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The
Great Shepherd
`Whatever
may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way;
whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever
our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing
Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, Jesus does not
leave us." John 14:6 (COL173)
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`To
all who are reaching out to feel the guiding hand of God, the
moment of greatest discouragement is the time when divine help
is nearest.' (DA528) |
`He
knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what
are our wants, and where lies the strength of our temptations;
for He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin.
`He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you
tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen.
Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will
heal.' (DA329)
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`To
every one who offers Himself to the Lord for service,
withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of
measureless results.' (7T30) |
`Let
us bear in mind that Jesus’ is the great heart from which
the lifeblood flows to every organ in the body. He is the
head, from which extends every nerve to the minutest and
remotest member of the body. When one member of that body with
which Jesus is so mysteriously connected, suffers, the throb
of pain is felt by our Saviour.' (WM23)
`This
is Jesus, the life of every grace, the life of every promise,
the life of every ordinance, the life of every blessing. Jesus
is the substance, the glory and fragrance, the very life
itself.' (2SM244)
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`However much a
shepherd may love His sheep, He loves His sons and daughters
more. Jesus is not only our shepherd; He is our
"everlasting Father." And He says, "I know Mine
own, and Mine own know Me, even as the Father knows Me, and I
know the Father." What a statement is this! - the
only-begotten Son, He who is in the bosom of the Father, He
whom God has declared to be "the man that is My
fellow", - the communion between Him and the eternal God
is taken to represent the communion between Jesus and His
children on earth!' (DA483) |
`The
Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon
force or fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his
voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-Shepherd with
His sheep. As the shepherd goes before His sheep, himself
encountering the perils of the way, so does Jesus with His
people. "When He sends forth His own sheep, He goes
before them."
`As
the shepherd leads his flock over the rocky hills, through
forest and wild ravines, to grassy nooks by the riverside; as
he watches them on the mountains through the lonely night,
shielding from robbers, caring tenderly for the sickly and
feeble, his life comes to be one with theirs. A strong and
tender attachment unites him to the objects of his care.
However large the flock, the shepherd knows every sheep. Every
one has its name, and responds to the name at the shepherd's
call.' (DA479)
`The way to heaven is consecrated by the
Saviour's footprints. The path may be steep and rugged, but
Jesus has traveled that way; His feet have pressed down the
cruel thorns, to make the pathway easier for us. Every burden
that we are called to bear He Himself has born.' (DA480)
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