May 1 Daily Devotional

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
     "Isaiah 40:11.

Devotional

In calling Himself the "Good Shepherd," the Lord Jesus Christ gave us to see something of His protection, care, and love. Upon whom does He lavish these? Of course the sheep, the flock.

Christ has a flock. It has been given to Him by His Father. Speaking of His sheep, He said, "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." Being committed to the Son, this flock is the object of His special care. For them alone He died and for them alone He intercedes at the Father's right hand. While on earth the "Good Shepherd" prayed thus to His Father, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me: for they are thine." So He ever liveth to make intercession for His saints.

From what family of the earth did the Father choose them? From all families and kindreds and tongues. God is no respecter of persons. He has condescended to save the vilest, the most ignorant and superstitious. God is pleased to show forth His grace to call those for whom the world holds out no hope. He is calling a people for His name at all times and places.

Happy and blessed are the sheep of Christ. Before the foundation of the world and for all eternity they are His. They have nothing of which to boast. All that is meet for them to do is to ascribe praise and glory to Him who laid down His life for them.

Do the sheep comprise a large flock? No man shall be able to number them. Many, many, will sing the song of Moses and the lamb (Rev. 7:9). But these shall be few in comparison to the lost. The Shepherd calls His flock a "little flock." "Fear not," He said, "little flock."

Look out upon the world and see if it is not a little flock. Consider the millions who have never heard the precious name of Jesus. Apart from the believing in that name there is no salvation and "how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" Look upon the multitudes in the highways and byways who turn a deaf ear to the sound of the gospel of pardon and peace. And of those who do hear the word, not all accept it in a saving way. Even in the visible churches today how many are those who profess to bve Christians who are only gospel-hardened sinners.

Where is the flock of the "Good Shepherd"? Where are the brothers and sisters of Christ? Where are those who bear His likeness? Are all those who read these words lambs gathered in by the mighty saving hand of Jesus? Are they all followers of the Lamb that was slain for the remission of sin? God only knows. His flock is a little one. Are there not many who have tried to enter into the sheep fold other than by the door of conversion through the precious blood of Christ?

This ought to be a praying time. Men ought now to seek the face of the God of Jacob and turn from dependence upon anything human. While the Lord is to be found He is to be sought. Now is the day of salvation.

It is a little flock and the sheep are all marked. The Shepherd knows them well. He calls them by name. They each have the marks of blood that washes. Every sheep and Iamb in Christ's flock was once guilty and defiled with sin and altogether become filthy. They are not in that condition now. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. Every stain is removed. Now they are whiter than snow.

(to be continued)