BOUNCE BACK SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON… WHOSE VOICE YOU’RE LISTENING TO.
Feeling defeated or discouraged today?
I have news for you.
If you’re a follower of Jesus—if by faith you have chosen to stop going your own way, turned from your sin, and received His forgiveness—all that matters is that you are His.
Get this. When Jesus told the story about Him being the Good Shepherd, He said, My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27). That bit about sheep knowing their shepherd’s voice and following him is absolutely true, and here’s how I know that.
I once had the privilege of helping an itinerant sheep farmer during lambing season in Devon, England. My job was to care for the orphans. I pet them, fed them, even sang to them and looked after them as best I could. What utterly amazed me was how they immediately knew my voice. From day one, if I entered the birthing barn and uttered a single word, the coral of orphans would turn towards me with bleating expectation and follow me everywhere I went. They knew my voice, I knew them and they followed me.
Is that you? Following the Good Shepherd? A bit off course from time-to-time, maybe not perfectly, but still following? Sometimes stumbling, but bouncing back? Trying again? Following?
Don’t stop now. Remember you are not an orphan. You are a child of God and this is His promise to you. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:6).
I love how Pastor James McDonald of Walk In The Word puts this truth. “Your best days are still ahead of you, no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done. Your greatest days of usefulness and service to God are still in the future, because goodness (defined as bounty and blessing) and mercy (loving kindness and favor) will be on your heels and hunting you down every second of time.”
How cool is that? As we follow Jesus—He follows us with endless goodness and mercy all the days of our lives.
Chin up little lamb. Better days really are coming. Keep your eyes upon Jesus. Bounce! Don’t Break…
Here’s a favorite song of mine—just for you today.
No Longer Slaves
By Jonathan Davie and Melissa Helser
