today! - Jack Van Impe Ministries

Land, and in other parts of
the world as well, Jack and I
have had occasion to observe
modern-day shepherds still
performing their age-old duties.
We’ve photographed herds of
sheep grazing peacefully in the
meadows under the watchful
eye of their keeper. We’ve seen a
shepherd, staff in hand, leading
a flock over a high mountain
pass to a hidden field of lush
vegetation on the other side.
And on occasion, approaching
some small village, we’ve had to
stop our vehicle and wait while
a shepherd led his sheep across
the dusty road and up into the
safety of the waiting fields.
I’ve always been impressed
by how much the sheep seemed
to trust the shepherd. They
would stay with him, follow
him, and obey his commands.
They depended on the shepherd
to provide for their needs and
to keep them safe. Experience
soon taught them that the
shepherd always knows the
way to the green grass, the still
waters, and the place of refuge
from the predators of life.
I’ve also noticed that
shepherds are constantly talking
to their sheep. Walking along
the road, they call out words
of encouragement, direction,
sometimes a warning! In quiet
times, they tend to little lambs
or to a sheep with a hurt leg,
speaking quietly and lovingly.
The Bible tells how little David
used to sing to his sheep,
perhaps sharing some of the
beautiful psalms he composed.
The point is that the sheep
soon know and recognize the
voice of their shepherd. Jesus
said that when a shepherd goes
before his flock, the sheep follow
him: for they know his voice
(John 10:4). And He said, I am
the good shepherd (John 10:11).
Do you know His voice? When
He speaks, do you recognize the
tone and timbre of His voice on
those dark nights on the lonely
road of life? For that to happen,
you must be listening to His
voice in the clear light of day ...
every day.
Listen to the Great
Shepherd
How do you recognize God’s
voice? Every time you open the
Bible, God’s Holy Word, He is
speaking to you. Meditating on
what you read
in your daily
devotions is a
means of listening
for His voice.
As you develop
a daily habit of
delving into the
Word of God,
you will begin to
see how the Holy
Spirit guides you
and imparts instruction to you.
Prayer is important, too —
especially when you learn that
prayer isn’t you doing all the
talking, but taking time to listen
as well. Also, I’ve found that
prayer time is enriching when I
talk to God — out loud, for me
— about what I’ve been reading
in His Word. It’s sort of a way
for me to keep “chewing” on the
Word, much as sheep and cattle
stand and chew their cud.
Thy words were found, and I
did eat them; and thy word was
July–August 2010 | Perhaps Today | 9
Rexella,
I’ve watched your show and I am
so blessed to have been able to catch
it one night flipping through the
channels. God bless you and Jack for
what you do spreading the Word of
our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve
received Him as my Savior, thank you.
—L.V.
unto me the joy and rejoicing
of mine heart (Jeremiah 15:16).
If you haven’t discovered this
source of daily blessing, I highly
recommend that you give it a
try!
How’s your journey along
life’s narrow way? Are you well
aware that you are traversing
a dangerous road, depending
on the care and guidance of the
Shepherd? Do you live each day
in “joy and rejoicing” because
of the ministry of God’s Word in
your life? Have you discovered
that come what may, He walks
beside you and His goodness
and mercy are following you all
the days of your life?
The psalmist declared,
Thou shalt guide me with thy
counsel, and afterward receive
me to glory (Psalm 73:24).
There is nothing we need
beyond that!