Safe in His Hands

A popular advice columnist once said that among the thousands of letters she received each month, one problem dominated the rest: fear. She said that people were afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones.

All too often, Christians haven’t found the comfort, strength, and contentment that God wants them to have because they are paralyzed by fear. Yet Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures” (John 10:7–9 NLT).

In Jesus’ day, a sheepfold was an enclosed area with walls that provided protection for defenseless sheep, especially at night. Predators such as wolves or lions walked around the sheepfold, looking for a way in. Yet the only way in was through the door of the sheepfold. And that so-called door was the shepherd.

We see this pattern elsewhere in Scripture. On one occasion, Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32 NLT).

Jesus essentially was saying, “I’m standing in the gap for you.”

The devil cannot pick us off at will, though some Christians may think that. Rather, he must go through the Good Shepherd because we are under His divine protection.

Jesus also said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29 NLT).

Although this passage is a promise of God’s protection, it is not a promise that we never will fall into sin. No one will snatch Jesus’ sheep out of His hand, but we, as sheep, can still go astray.

Not only has God given us His protection, but He also has given us freedom. We don’t have to stay in the sheepfold. We don’t have to stay in His protection. And when we make a mess out of our lives, God will do what He can to find us, restore us, and bring us back to Himself.

Yet God is looking for our cooperation. He wants to protect us, provide for us, and bless us. He wants us to find contentment. But we must follow the Good Shepherd’s voice.

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