My Shepherd and My Protector

Scripture:
1 Peter 2:24–25 — “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds we are healed. For you are continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and the Guardian of your souls.”

Observation:
Peter is talking to the Christians about what God has done for us. Christ gave His earthly life for my sin, so that I can be forgiven. My Shepherd and my Protector wants to have a relationship with me! God is the Chief Shepherd who watches out for His Sheep. Peter is relating us to the sheep that wonder off, get distracted, go the wrong way, and maybe even fall of the cliff. God shows His love through being our Guardian who wants to protect us from harm.

Application:
I love to think of God as my Shepherd and my Protector. At the same time I realize that it is not fun when God needs to discipline me for straying to far way from Him. During those times God teaches me more about Himself as I draw closer to the heartbeat of my Father. May I ever be thankful for what he has done for ME, and may I desire to walk closer and closer to my Chief Shepherd and my Protector.

Prayer:
Father please draw me closer to you and teach me more about your grace during my times of struggle. I am so very thankful that you love me and are my protector from the storms of life. I live you and truly desire to follow you.

— Melinda McAdams, middle school minister, Reservoir campus