He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
There is no doubt, we live in turbulent times. As a mama, this can leave me filled with fear and insecurity as the headlines come streaming in. Raising kids is hard enough and sometimes we question whether we are doing enough to equip our little ones to go out into the world.
We have lost sleep for our kids, prayed over them, and prepared them. We carried them many months in the womb or in our dreams, and we’ve carried them on our hips. We have carried loads of laundry like we carried their little hearts and their big heart-aches in our hands.
The truth is, it really is not we who have carried our young ones all along, but He. It was always Jesus who carried the little lambs in his arms, breathed life into them in the womb, and He who carries them through each day after. Some of our lambs are living testimonies of this miracle.
And mama? He carries you too. Our good Shepherd leads us on the heights as well as along the valley floor. The Shepherd’s staff is a comfort as he gently guides and directs us in all of life’s biggest (and smallest) questions, along the deepest terrain.
So while we make every effort to ensure our children’s safety and security, that they eat right, sleep right, and that we train them up along the right path, it is safe to say that the One who actually holds our lambs is the Creator of the universe. He holds the stars in their place and calls them each by name.
As I drive my girl to school in the morning and see the sun rise once again in God’s faithfulness, I pray over my child, her teacher, and friends, and I let go. The only thing I need to carry me through today is my hope in our Shepherd who is my guide. He’s got this.
Carry
Read the verse of the day: ISAIAH 40:11
Have you ever read a verse from the Bible that seemed to come alive? This can happen with a verse you have read many times before. Suddenly the scripture becomes a living, breathing source of strength that speaks life into a situation you may be facing.
One thing that makes a verse speak is the choice of words the author used in the text. We see a word in context that holds a certain weight and we seek to understand its meaning.
How to use this word study
We will read the verse of the day in our Bible. Then we will clarify our understanding of the key word (see above) using a Concordance, Word Study bible, or English dictionary. If you do not have these resources, no worries! Helpful tools online include BlueLetterBible.org and Dictionary.com.
Look up today’s verse and read it in context of the chapter. Have a pen and paper ready. We will work through five steps.
- Write down the Bible verse.
- Find the key word and circle it.
- Look up the definition of the word (notice how it is used in context).
- If you are reading from a different translation of the Bible, which word is used instead?
- Underline where you find a promise. Find the heart of this verse and mark it with a heart shape.
(Click here for How to Use a Word Study.)
Meditation
What does this verse reveal about God’s heart? How does this truth refresh your soul? Turn this into your prayer today.
Please leave a comment below to share something that touched you in today’s devotional.
Follow this series
You are reading part of the 31-day series from Weary to Worship. To see other days click on Write 31 Days 2017 from the top menu. Before you go…I have carefully curated a special guide when you subscribe to receive the daily devotions.
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