“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
In a recent devotion that I read told of a young boy who was blind from the time he was born. He lived in a world of darkness with only the sound of his mother reassuring him that he was loved and would be a blessing to others in God’s time. Through advances in medical technology he was able to be blessed with the gift of sight.
The moment came when this teen aged boy was lying in the hospital bed and the bandages were being removed and the initial glimmer of light began to fill his eyes. He showed no emotion but looked around the room at figures that he was not familiar with until his mother said “I am here” and then a smile raced across his face as he saw his mother for the very first time.
It is hard to put into words why a Haitian child attending a Christian school can have such a huge smile when they receive a plate full of beans and rice. The story of the blind child should help us to better understand the reason for their joy. The child in the attached photo lives in Cap Haitian and she is not only receiving her only meal of the day but she is also realizing the promise from her Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. She knows His voice, you know His voice and I too recognize His voice. We have not seen Him, but we hear His voice in the Word and see His work in our lives. One of your quarters for a Trinity/HOPE meal put that smile on her face. One of your gifts answered the call from His voice.
The hymn “I am Jesus little lamb” was sung recently and it always reminds me of my relationship with the Good Shepherd. The song was written by Henrietta Von Hayn (1724-1782) and these words seemed appropriate with today’s Scripture and this devotion.
“I am Jesus' little lamb, ever glad at heart I am; for my Shepherd gently guides me, knows my need, and well provides me, loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name. Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my staff and stay. When I hunger, Jesus feeds me, into pleasant pastures leads me; when I thirst, He bids me go where the quiet waters flow. Who so happy as I am, even now the Shepherd's lamb? And when my short life is ended, by His angel host attended, He shall fold me to His breast, there within His arms to rest.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay