Soul ShepherdSample

If you’re not familiar with the story of Jacob (also called Israel), here’s a quick recap:

• He stole his brother’s birthright.
• He was tricked into marrying the sister of the woman he loved.
• He had 12 sons, one of which was sold into slavery by his 10 older brothers. Then those 10 brothers lied to his face and said his son was killed.
• He wrestled with an angel, and God changed his name to Israel.
• He eventually loses his wives. His country and household are struck by famine, and his eyesight becomes poor.
• By Genesis 48, Joseph, the son sold into slavery, has been reunited with Jacob and their family through his own turn of events… and this is only part of his story.

In the passage today, Joseph brings his two sons to be blessed by Jacob in his last days. As Jacob blessed the boys, he declared God had been his shepherd all his life. Read that again, and let it sink in. The man whose life would make a successful modern day reality show declared that the Lord was his shepherd all of his days.

In this passage, Jacob gives us a great example. He wasn’t willing to turn his back on God due to his hardships or mistakes. While his story started with deceit, it ended with a name change and provision. God took the parts of his story that he may have wanted to forget and turned them around for his good and God’s glory. God was shepherding Jacob through every season - even the hardest ones - to the point where he was able to bless the sons of the son that he thought he’d lost.

The same is true for us. God is willing to shepherd our stories, and in that, He is shepherding our souls. He’s willing to shepherd us in the hard things, the things we caused, or the mistakes we made. You are not forsaken or forgotten where you are today because of your past. Take a few minutes and reflect on how God has been shepherding your soul up to this point. Write a few of those things down. Thank Him.

Can’t think of one? You are now spending time in His Word. He is shepherding your soul as you sit, and you will eventually see the fruit from it. Be patient and persistent like Jacob. You’ll see.