Feb 15, 2026 – Shepherd
Don got a cup of the coffee that I’d made after I got up this morning (Santa’s White Christmas – yum) and joined me in the sunroom. Soon after our conversation started, Ranger appeared with the red toy in the top of the photo. He flings it around and grunts and bumps it into us with a playful growl which we have come to understand is his way of joining the conversation. No matter where we are in the house and no matter where he is, if we start talking, he comes running with a toy to be a part of the family time. You can see that today he even added a second topic (toy) to the conversation. He will be eight years old next month, but still has such a puppy spirit – and a protective one. If I haven’t already mentioned it, I am his flock and sometimes he even bows up against Don making it known that he’s in charge (at least for that moment). I feel safer with him patrolling the house and yard even though he’s got a loud, insistent bark that can be annoying. I think the people who walk by our house can hear him from the street warning them to keep on walking. I bet delivery people don’t linger long with him on the other side of the door!
JA – “I AM YOUR SHEPHERD – to guide and shield you…. My care for you is wonderfully complete.” Ranger’s is too – dogs exemplify the kind of unconditional love we should have for one another (even the dogs that aren’t as loved and cared for as they should be usually still try to look out for and love people). I’ve seen people like that too, trying to love despite their hurts and doubts, but recoiling at times. When we receive God’s love fully and trust His caring, it is easier to offer unconditional love because we approach from a more contented and confident outlook.
The devotion continues with these comforting words, “I have designed you to walk through this perilous world in trusting dependence on Me. I lovingly go before you and open the way, carefully preparing the path you will follow. I remove many dangers and obstacles from the road ahead, and I help you handle the difficulties that remain.” See Psalm 23:1, Exodus 15:13, Psalm 23:4, and Psalm 48:14.
Prevail #46 – Larson gives us some honest truths about Samson (and potentially about ourselves) as she shares her thoughts today from Judges 14:1-2 and concludes by writing, “Samson’s life is a tragic picture of what it looks like when someone who is anointed, gifted, and clearly called by God refuses to humbly submit to God.” It seems he received (and continued to seek) spoiling and indulgence rather than love and understanding and patience and wisdom etc; so, he stumbled (and failed) in part because he didn’t have any of that to give and also because he didn’t respect the givers who were shepherding him (his parents and God).
Streams – Psalm 37:1 – “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. Today’s verse is timely for what is going on in our world. But, this was written many many ages ago; so, trials and troubles and evil doers/thinkers are nothing new to God. They’ve existed all of these many many ages. Cowman shares these thoughts (and probably some of her own) from The Silver Lining, “Never become extremely upset over your circumstances. If worry were ever justified, it would have been during the circumstances surrounding the writing of this psalm…. ‘Those who do wrong’ were ascending to the highest places of power and were tyrannizing their brothers who were less fortunate. Sinful men and women strutted through the land with arrogant pride and basked in the light of great prosperity, while good people became fearful and worried.” Yes, we can see this from the time of the psalms, all the way through history, to today. And I would add that many of those fear-trained people have become angry and dangerous.
The devotion continues and explains why worry and anger should be avoided, “’Do not fret.’ Never get duly upset! Stay cool! Even for a good reason, worrying will not help you. It only heats up the bearings but does not generate any steam. It does not help the locomotive for its axles to become hot; their heat is only a hindrance. [boy is that ever an understatement for our times and for events in ages past] The axles become heated because of unnecessary friction. Dry surfaces are grinding against each other instead of working in smooth cooperation, aided by a thin cushion of oil. Isn’t it interesting how similar the words ‘fret’ and ‘friction’ are? Friction caused by fretting is an indication of the absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God…. Let the oil of the Lord keep you cool so that an unholy heat will not cause you to be regarded as one of the ‘evil men.’”
Simpson – “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (II Tim. Ii. 1). Simpson tells us, “How to enjoy this day. This will never come by trying to be happy and yet we are responsible for the conditions of real joy.” Barbara and I were just talking about this and how, sometimes we need people to reach out to us for help and company; but, for the most part, we are responsible for finding our way to God and to the Joy and Peace He offers. Simpson offers three ways to enjoy this day, “1. Be right with God…. 2. Forget yourself and live for others…. 3. When you cannot rejoice in feelings, circumstances, and states, ‘rejoice in the Lord,’ and ‘count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations.’ “
JC – “When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. [Psalm 23: 1-4] The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn’t be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will…. the safest place to be is in My will.”
Max draws from Ephesians 4:29 and tells about a former senior minister who returned to their church in a support role as Max was beginning in his role as the senior minister. The man encouraged (and shepherded) Max for 25 years until the senior minister died. Max points out, “Such encouragement has a Michelangelo impact on people. The sculptor saw the figure of David within the marble and carved it out. The encourager sees your best self and calls it out, not with a chisel, but with words of affirmation. Be an encourager today!”
Power – 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT – “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” Joyce reminds us that “God blesses us so we can bless others. He does not want us to be needy…. I encourage you to develop the mind-set of a generous giver…. Study what the Bible says about God’s provision, and see yourself as one who meets needs.”
Utmost – Chambers’ title, ”Am I My Brother’s Keeper” asks the question that I need to ask of myself as I , maybe, try to be too much of a shepherd to other people at times. Don ironically calls it herding cats! But is it supposed to be easy to reach out and include others and make opportunities for them and even shepherd them towards God? Chambers continues with his questions asking, “Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible for other souls spiritually before God?” From what I’ve learned, we are indeed encouraged (and even required) to continue to reach out and offer ourselves and the gospel BUT we are not responsible for other peoples’ responses or lack thereof.
Chambers reminds us that Christ said we are to be His witnesses. He asks a third question, “How many of us are willing to spend every ounce of nervous energy, of mental, moral and spiritual energy we have for Jesus Christ? That is the meaning of a witness in God’s sense of the word. It takes time, be patient with yourself. God has left us on the earth – what for? To be saved and sanctified? No, to be at it for Him.” He asks one more question, “Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? …My life as a worker is the way I say ‘thank you’ to God for His unspeakable salvation.”
