Isaiah 40:11

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

I was doing my daily quiet time when I came upon this verse. This is not a verse that I have heard others quote before, yet I was very touched when I read it. It’s a simple yet profound declaration of God’s love for us.

Background: This chapter was written by the prophet Isaiah to comfort the people of Judah after they returned from 70 years of exile in Babylon. God used a pagan rule, Cyrus II of Persia, to conquer Babylon in 539 B.C.

Below are things that spoke to me a lot:

1. Although this verse was written hundreds of years ago, it is in present tense!
2. God describes himself as the shepherd. What kind of shepherd is God?
• John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” We know that come to pass with the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins.
• Matthew 18:10-14 Parable of the lost sheep. We see how God went after that one sheep that wandered away, not willing for any of his sheep to be lost.
3. God describes us as His little children i.e. lambs.
   As new mother of 6 month old Ashley, I love coming home from work to be with my daughter, seeing her smiling widely at me as though I am the only thing that matters to her in the whole wide world. Similarly, I believe our Father longs for us to spend time with him and He is always there for us, waiting for us to meet with him.
4. He gathers us in his arms and close to his heart!!
   I love this verse! I was very touched and I just imagine myself being carried by the Almighty God, right next to heart. God thinks the world of me. In His eyes, I am beautifully and wonderfully made!
5. He gently leads those who have young.
   God acknowledges and understand the burdens and responsibilities of those who take care of others, that is why he promised to gently lead and guide our path.
   I believe God is referring to both physical and spiritual parents ie. Those who have children and those who are taking care of new believers. He knows that we may be lost at times, not sure what to do, but he will the beacon of light that guides us. Psalm 23 talks about our Shepherd who guides us along the path of righteousness and leads us beside quiet water.

Praise God for His love!