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And He Himself gave some to be....evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...
- Ephesians 4:11-12

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Location: The Hill Country of Texas

Pastor - Providence Reformed Baptist Church
Director - TIME in the Word Ministries

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Know and Known - Part 1

TIME in the Word - Daily Devotional

Verse for the Day – John 10:14
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

Daily Scripture ReadingExodus 3

Puritan Catechism
Question #5: Are there more Gods than one?
Answer: There is but one only (Deut. 6:4), the living and true God (Jeremiah 10:10).

Devotional Thoughts
Once again Jesus reiterates that He alone is the Good Shepherd. He is good, and our shepherd. He cares for us and places Himself in direct contrast to the hirelings who would forsake the flock for personal safety or fear.

Our great comfort comes from the fact that Jesus knows us! He knows us and because He knows us He loves us with an eternal love. His knowing us speaks to His personal care for us as well. He knows us INDIVIDUALLY. He also knows us corporately, as local churches and as His Body! The hireling probably did not take the time or make the effort to get to know and love the sheep in his care because he was concerned only with the himself, not the flock.

Matthew Henry puts it beautifully when he writes, "See here the grace and tenderness of the Good Shepherd set over against the former, as it was in the prophecy (Ezekiel 34:21-22). It is a matter of comfort to the church, and all her friends, that, however she may be damaged and endangered by the treachery and mismanagement of her under-officers, the Lord Jesus is, and will be, as He ever has been, the GOOD SHEPHERD."

He knows those who are His and He knows who is not His! In contrast, He knows us as a matter of intimate acquaintance and relationship. His knowledge of the lost, however, is an awareness of who they are and what they are, but their is no intimacy or affectionate relationship. It is relational for us and objective for them. Of course He loves all men, but His knowledge of people is dependent on His relation to them. Those who have been forknown have responded in faith and are family - those who have not are His beloved creation, but not His purchased possession.

He looks to us with favor - with grace and we look to Him with faith. The grace He gives is sufficient for the day in which we live, and His mercy will be new tomorrow morning, that mercy that when renewed remains everlasting! Henry's commentary goes on to say that He is "continually mindful of [us], visits [us] graciously by Spirit, and has communion with [us]." He knows us, approves of us, accepts us, forgives us, amd will keep us safely in His embrace forever!


Bible Reading For Further Study

Recommended Songs for Worship

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