99 Reasons to Obey

Nº 235

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - January 31, 2023

Abide in Me, says Jesus. Cling to Me. Stick fast to Me. Live the life of close and intimate communion with Me. Get nearer to Me. Roll every burden on Me. Cast your whole weight on Me. Never let go your hold on Me for a moment. Be, as it were, rooted and planted in Me. Do this and I will never fail you. I will ever abide in you. - J.C. Ryle

Jesus told a story about a shepherd who was responsible for 100 sheep. One wandered off. The shepherd left the 99 and searched for the lost sheep until he rescued it from its wayward, vulnerable, and disoriented situation.

The primary emphasis of the parable is God’s love for the lost and His willingness to seek and save them. However, the story does make me wonder about the shepherd and the 99. While the shepherd wandered the hillsides and valleys looking for the one errant sheep, the others were unattended and vulnerable.

When we wander away from God and abandon God’s people, we put ourselves in danger, but we also make things difficult for our leaders and disruptive for the people around us. Both the shepherd, whose work increases, and the rest of the flock, whose care is interrupted, pay the price every time a sheep wanders in the wrong direction.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you...Obey them so their work will be a joy and not a burden.” (Hebrews 13:17)

Make it easy on yourself, your spiritual leaders, and those around you; stay close to the Good Shepherd.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc.