Friday, May 16, 2008

He Carries the Lambs

Isaiah 40:11
He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.


Who is He of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Why doth He carry the lambs in His bosom? Because He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts His heart. The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock draw forth His compassion. It is His office, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak. Besides, He purchased them with blood, they are His property: He must and will care for that which cost Him so dear. Then He is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of His glory and reward. But how may we understand the expression, "He will carry them"? Sometimes He carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial. Providence deals tenderly with them. Often they are "carried" by being filled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness in what they do know. Frequently He "carries" them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world. "He carries the lambs in His bosom." Here is boundless affection. Would He put them in His bosom if He did not love them much? Here is tender nearness: so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer. Here is hallowed familiarity: there are precious love-passages between Christ and His weak ones. Here is perfect safety: in His bosom who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!

Devotional by Charles Spurgeon

5 comments:

Mimi said...

He is a wonderful Shepherd to us.
For
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way,and the Lord hath laid on Him the Iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
thanks for the post Cathy,

Deborah said...

Hi Cathy!
I have been enjoying your flower of the day...they're beautiful!

Cathy said...

Yes He is, Mimi, thank God He is always with us and will never leave nor forsake us.

Thank you, Deb, I am having a little difficulty identifying some, but I am trying hard. I was behind last night and had to add three. I hope I find enough for the month. :) I may do some different varieties.

NannyKaren said...

Oh How I love my gentle shepherd cathy. Isn't he wonderful?

Cathy said...

Yes, our Jesus is wonderful, Karen. And I just love this scripture in my recent post.
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.
-Deuteronomy 33:12