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Hi Kelly—
Lenten Daily Devotional— 3/10/23
by Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate Pastor
I love the lyrics to the hymn, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” It was written by Dorothy Thrupp, who wrote many hymns originally intended for children, but in this particular hymn, her words include all of us who follow Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Here are the lyrics:
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
This is a hymn that describes God as the Good Shepherd and God as the Good Shepherd has a close relationship with His sheep. In other words, God has a deeply personal relationship with us. His sheep recognize and respond to His voice by faith. In turn, God knows each by name and leads them where they should go. The Good Shepherd also loves His sheep sacrificially, giving His life for them. Furthermore, His sacrificial love is not the end of the story, for God holds authority over death and the grave.
During this season of Lent, we practice emptying ourselves so that we can remain focused on the one thing that really matters in life: our relationship with Jesus Christ. Lent is the perfect opportunity to grow closer to God and to practice sacrificial love, the same kind of love Jesus, our Good Shepherd, first demonstrated to us. During the Lenten season, I am deeply and profoundly reminded of the words written by John in 1 John 3:16: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
Meditation: Are you practicing the kind of sacrificial love we are called to share with others, the kind of love Christ first showed us? If not, what is holding you back? How can you practice showing this kind of love on a daily basis? I invite you all to get out of your comfort zones and really show someone the love of Christ today. I promise…you won’t regret it!
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