Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

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I AM the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. As I pondered this verse, I continued to read all the way to verse 21. We all know that Jesus died for us on the Cross to save us from our own sin. I know we are all very thankful for this selfless act, because we have come to accept this act as our saving grace. However, the fact still remains that Jesus is many things to us—not just our Savior. This week we are looking at how Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Shepherds lead their sheep. They watch them, guide them, make sure they have a place to eat, a place to sleep, and safely exist in the world. The sheeps very being is dependent on the shepherd—and so our very being is dependent on Jesus.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
Proverbs 21:31

This verse has reminded me, time and time again, that there is only so much that is MY part. I can only make so much happen. I can only do so much. The real success comes when I allow God to do His part. This verse also reminds me that the Lord is my Shepherd; He is the one who orchestrates the comings and goings of my life.

Another verse that reminds me that Lord is the One who is control of my well being is Proverbs 20:21.

A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand his own way?

God cares for us. He sent us Jesus. Jesus cares for us, and because He does, He has chosen to be our everything.

• Are you hungry…physically or spiritually? He will lead you to the food you need.
• Are you tired? He will give you a safe place to rest.
• Are you lost? He will guide you.
• Are you scared? He will shelter you.

He is our EVERYthing. There is nothing in this world that you can experience that He Himself cannot help you with. The real question is…

Will you let Him be your Good Shepherd?

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Lord, thank You for being such an amazing Provider and making my life simple. I know I am the one who complicates things. Help me to live in You and follow Your lead. Amen.