June 25 | 1 Peter 2:22-25

Judy Webb
6 days ago
2 min read

DAILY READING

1 Peter 2:22-25

REFLECTION

The Guardian of Our Souls

By Judy Webb

“He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threatened revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

"Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” 1 Peter 2: 22-25 (NLT)

These four verses tell the Gospel story and give us hope for tomorrow. Verse 25, which we will be studying this morning, is definitely my testimony and I suspect it is many of yours as well. Once I was like sheep. I went through life blindly, never truly understanding this ‘God’ thing. I have learned that sheep are quite helpless and constantly in trouble without a guide to love and care for them. They fall and can’t get up without help. Does this sound familiar?

Sheep wander and get lost so easily. They are timid and defenseless and need a shepherd to guide, protect and love them. A true shepherd does just that. It took me over 30 years to realize this and to submit to Jesus. Just like sheep, I was floundering through life, aimless and lost and effortlessly led astray. Until the emotional pain was so great, I opened my eyes to what I needed. I understood I wasn’t doing a very good job of living and like the clueless sheep, I needed rescuing. I needed a guardian, custodian, sentry and a keeper. Jesus was just that person.

“We all like sheep have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6 NIV)

Are any of these stories familiar to you? Can you attest to the loving and perfect nature of our True Shepherd? When we allow Him to enter our lives, he will round us up, place us under His protection and care. Sure, we may stray one day again, but he will round us up one more time. After all, “He is the Guardian of our Souls.”

PRAYER

Dear Father in Heaven,

What a great God you are. We stray from the sheep pen, get lost, and even tip over. But You are there for us. You forgive and continue to love and guide us. We don't deserve You, but we love you because of Your great love to us. Even when we wonder where we shouldn't. Thank you. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.