Day 7 – Isaiah 40 Verses 9 – 14 (See the gentle shepherd)
Bible Reading – Isaiah 40 Verses 9 – 14
You who bring good news to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 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.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?
Opening Prayer
Lord, we thank you that you are our gentle shepherd. That each one of us is known by you and unique in your sight. We know you are beyond our understanding but that you came into the world to teach us your ways. Help us to be shepherds to those we meet in our journey with you. Amen
Reflection
We are becoming less and less connected to farming in general and probably to shepherds in particular. As a result some of the images that the scriptures provide us as examples of what God is like have lost some of their immediate impact with us. In this passage I am not sure this matters we can all relate to those who care for us and gather us into their arms to keep us safe. Whether that be family, friends or even strangers who come across us in distress and help us.
There will be a recurring thread through the songs I have written that there is always a need for us to respond to that love.
We do that when those who help us need our help themselves. How much more should we be willing to offer everything we are capable of into the service of God in the world. Loving our neighbours as ourselves. That sounds both easy and difficult but to me it means making time for others. Really listening to people, empathising but not instructing. Putting others needs before our own preferences.
I had a friend who once said something along the lines of “If I am happy, those around me should be”. How mistaken he was. The world seems to work largely on self interest but that is not God’s way.
In the passage we continue on to find a description of the awesome nature of our Creator God. So far beyond our understanding and yet the gentle shepherd who guards his flock from harm, he calls his children to his side and holds them in his arms.
A time for your own reflection
Read the passage again and spend a little time thinking of how the passage speaks to you. The wonder of scripture is that there is always something new to discover and each passage speaks to us in our own need and circumstances.
Only if you feel you want to – share your thoughts with someone. God inspires our thoughts and you never know, the person you share with may be waiting to hear what you have to say.
Song
Here is the next song –
“See the gentle shepherd”
Today’s song really speaks for itself. We come to the stable and respond with the offer of our gifts of our hands and voices in telling the wonders of Jesus’ birth.
It is a nice gentle folky tune today.
I wasn’t sure about the use of the word “Wrapped” I meant this to mean wrapped in cloth but it perhaps sounds a little like Jesus comes as a present? In the end I thought that Jesus is both God and a gift from God who was wrapped and placed in a manger. As a result I left it as it was written,
Words: Chris Hancock
Inspiration: Isaiah 40 Verses 9 – 14
Music: Generated on Suno.com
[Verse 1]
See the gentle Shepherd comes,
To save his flock from harm;
He calls his children to his side,
And holds us in His arms.
[Verse 2]
Come close and see, this child;
Who comes to save us all,
The Lord of heaven came.
Wrapped and in an oxens’ stall.
[Verse 3]
We come with thankful hands,
And offer them to you;
We thank you that in your plans,
You have work for us to do.
[Verse 4]
We come with thankful hands,
And offer them to you;
We thank you that in your plans,
You have work for us to do.
Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the truths scripture reveals to us. For the images which help us understand more about Jesus, our good shepherd. We thank you for that image of you holding us in your arms close to your heart.
In the difficult moments of life, which come to us all, help us to hold fast to that image and promise that you are always with us.
We praise you for your might, majesty and power witnessed in the wonder of your creation. We try to express and explain these things with human words which are rough and crude tools to describe your glory.
We thank you that by simple faith in Jesus we are able to become your children.
We pray for all those we love and care for and also for all of those who you will bring into our lives. Help us make space in time and in our hearts to express the love that you have for them. Through our words and actions and in the power of your Holy Spirit we pray that they to might come to know you as we do. As their gentle shepherd. Amen.
Copyrights
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris Hancock
Songs
Words of the songs are by Chris Hancock
Music generated on Suno.com
If you are a user of the free tier of the Service then, you covenant and agree that you will only use Outputs generated from Submissions made by you through the Service solely for your lawful, internal, personal and non-commercial purposes, provided that you give attribution credit to Suno in each case.
Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Images
Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.
