Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Friday February 27 2026
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Isaiah 40:11-He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
Over the years ,I have worked with many individuals who were devoted to the pagan gods and goddesses. I remember one individual in particular that I worked with who told me that he despised the God of the Bible. He drew from the writings of Stephen King and called our God the “God of the sheep.” The gentleman meant that designation as an insult, but I was not offended.
Why?
The first reason is because I am a sheep!
When you read books written by shepherds, you learn that sheep are often stupid and generally make bad decisions. One author wrote in particular about how sheep have to be carefully supervised when they are near water, because their coats become saturated with water so that they will be pulled into the current and quickly swept away. Sheep also have a tendency to wander where they aren’t supposed to go, and are often thus pursued by predators. I have no problem acknowledging that I have often made stupid decisions, ended up in bad situations, with enemies far more powerful then me.
If it weren’t for my Lord Jesus, I wouldn’t still be here today.
Let me tell you something else: whether people like to hear it or not, we are all like sheep at times.
Isaiah 53:6-All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
The ones who worship the pagan gods and reject Jehovah are just being deceived by what those “gods” claim and offer.
Second, I am not offended to serve the God of the sheep because of Who He is.
The God of the sheep is the one true God!
The God of the sheep is our Shepherd!
He leads us, guides us, provides for us, protects us, seeks us when we wander astray. He has rescued me from my stupidity, bad situations, and evil predators more times then I can count.
John 10:14-18-I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Time after time, this one true God has defeated the gods of the nations.
Exodus 12:12-For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Whatever names these “gods” go by (ie, Allah, Zeus, Odin, Baal, Molech, Satan, etc), they are going to stand in judgment before the one true God, the “God of the sheep!”
Isaiah 24:21-It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth.
Psalm 97:7-12-Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. 8 Zion hears and is glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoice Because of Your judgments, O LORD. 9 For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
I am proud and grateful beyond words to be able to live and serve the God of the sheep.
John 10:27-30-My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Lord, help us to hear Your voice through Scripture and follow where You lead. Thank You for being our good Shepherd. Amen.