Sometimes I forget that it is not up to me to keep the Lord’s sheep. As an under shepherd of some of Christ’s sheep I cannot but be jealous over you with a Godly jealousy, watching over their souls, seeking to feed you with His word and protect you from spiritual danger. I’m like a mother fretting over her children. I have found great consolation and relief in the Good Shepherd’s words in John 10:8. He speaks of such dangers and says, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers...” The same is true of the many “shepherds” set forth by religion today. But here is my delight, “but the sheep did not hear them.” Glory to God, His sheep, because of His grace and power to them, hear HIS VOICE! I pray that I do not err concerning what I speak to them but if I do, they will not hear but will hear the voice of the Shepherd in His word and follow HIM! Gary Shepard

Just as the power to save is in the hands of God, so is the power to keep and preserve. If we have a hand in our salvation, then there is reason to fear. But salvation is of the Lord in its entirety. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:28-29)

The Good Shepherd is speak of His “sheep.” Their security depends solely on Him who cannot fail. They are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5) His having satisfied God’s justice on their behalf, that justice now requires their salvation and now stands as the lock which secures it. His perfect love has cast out all fear of loss. As the old hymn says:

Under the blood of Jesus,

Safe in the Shepherd's fold.

Under the blood of Jesus,

Safe while the ages roll.

Safe though the worlds may crumble,

Safe though the stars grow dim.

Under the blood of Jesus,

I am secure in Him. Gary Shepard

Job said (Job 23:8), "Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; I go backward, but I cannot perceive Him."

"I GO FORWARD." Frequently believers are overtaken with this fault; and in saying this, I speak for myself. We come to the conclusion that because God has given to us a sweet revelation of Himself and His word, therefore He is bound to reveal Himself, empower us, and crown our efforts with success at our will and our planning and our decisions! Is He? The scriptures teach that He has bound Himself by oath to perform His promise and purpose in HIS OWN WAY and at HIS OWN TIME! Oh, to learn to be still and WAIT on the Lord!

"I GO BACKWARD." Many times I retrace my steps to places of covenant favor enjoyed in the days that are past. Many times I dwell upon certain persons and places in pleasing remembrance. TO THESE I WOULD RETURN, but the places are changed and the people are gone and the pleasures are no more. I think of many a choice, green oasis in the wilderness to which I would return; but I find there is no oasis there TODAY. These were good and blessed IN HIS TIME and IN THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PURPOSE! The strength given me today is for today, and I shall need renewed strength for tomorrow. "As thy days, so shall thy strength be"(Deut. 33:25). But I have to be still kept learning that- "Day by day the manna fell; Oh, to learn that lesson well."

Thomas Bradbury

Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone--as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others--however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present. "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save!" Isaiah 59:1