Help Us, Lord

Today’s message was written by my friend, Guest Pastor, Rev. E. Stanley Ott.

My wife left the house to run an errand in the car and a minute later I saw she was calling me. Just down the street, she had seen a large box turtle walking in the middle of the road. She called because she knew the turtle was in danger.

I quickly walked from our house and found the turtle slowly walking along right in the path of cars. Box turtles can actually live from 50 to 100 years. This one was the largest I had ever seen with a lot of marks and nicks on its shell. That told me it was a very old turtle although I knew it wasn’t going to get any older walking in a street.

I picked it up from behind, so its mouth could not reach my hand. I carried it into a nearby forest to let it go. Walking home, I realized that we are a lot like that turtle. Sometimes we are in a place that we think is alright but actually, it is not safe for us. Sometimes we need someone to come alongside and rescue us!

Jesus said, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” Luke 15:4 NIV Jesus rescues his people the way a shepherd rescues his sheep. 

Let us pray: Lord, you always care for us. When we are in an unsafe place you are always with us. You encourage us and love us. Thank you so much that you are the good Shepherd.”