Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 (click to view Scripture below)
[For the whole family]
In these verses the Bible teaches us that God is our shepherd. A shepherd’s job is to take care of his sheep and to lead them and guide them. He uses a very long staff with a big hook on the end so he can reach out and grab a little lamb who is falling into danger. The staff also helps the shepherd to guide his sheep in the way they should go. Did you know that the shepherd even sleeps with his sheep. He protects them all day and all night. God protects us just like a shepherd protects his sheep. He shows us compassion and he cares for us all day and night.
He also protects the ChildHope children. In fact a ChildHope school is like a shepherd’s staff that protects children from the evils in their communities and the teachings about Jesus guide them in the way they should go. Have you ever seen a picture of Jesus holding a lamb around his neck? That image reminds us that Jesus cares about each and every lamb and he will go out and find one that is lost to carry it back. When you support a student in a ChildHope school you are helping Jesus, the Good Shepherd, care for that one lost lamb and keep him or her safe. You help transform that child’s life!
Mary Mahon
ChildHope Missionary to Costa Rica
Director of Chicas de Promesa
Discussion/Activity for the whole family: When has God protected you and your family? When has He guided you in the correct path? Draw a picture of a big shepherd’s staff. Pray for God’s protection over the children in the ChildHope schools as you color it in.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our Good Shepherd and thank you for leading and protecting the children in the ChildHope schools.
See other devotionals in this series.
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 (ESV)
Tenants
14 Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
who dwell alone in a forest
in the midst of a garden land;
let them graze in Bashan and Gilead
as in the days of old.
15 As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt,
I will show them marvelous things.
18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
19 He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.
See other devotionals in this series.
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.