Notes on Hope Devotional

Safe and Secure

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

The book of Isaiah is filled with warnings about judgments and proclamations of God’s power and might. Yet, chapter 40 offers an element of comfort. The verse before verse 11 declares, “See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him.”  The verses immediately following verse 11 describe God’s power: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?”

What lies between these two verses is a tender and gentle image of God, our Shepherd who “tends his flock.” I can’t help but think of how a shepherd is always on the lookout for ways to protect his sheep from danger, alert to the prey out to harm his sheep. With a careful and attentive gaze, a shepherd guides and leads his sheep to places where they can graze and lie down in safety.

“He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” evokes a sense of love and devotion from the Shepherd. There’s an overwhelming sense of comfort and protection in this imagery. Much like Psalm 23, the Lord, our Shepherd, has a depth of love and concern for us as we see ourselves as the recipients of His loving gaze.

In the midst of life’s challenges, these verses offer us a reminder of being cared for, carried, held close, and watched over. We are being looked after and tended to under the watchful eye of our Good Shepherd.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for the tenderness in how You care for us. Lead us and guide us as we trust You and listen to Your voice. In Jesus Name, Amen.