Day 1 — The Shepherd’s Call
The Shepherd who calls us by name
Main Scripture
Isaiah 55:6–7
“Seek the Lord while He may be found;
call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord,
that He may have compassion on him,
and to our God,
for He will abundantly pardon.”
God Is a God Who Calls
Every relationship with God begins with His invitation. Before we ever start seeking Him, He was already calling us.
Let us turn to God’s Word.
Throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we see one consistent truth: God is a God who calls.
Before man seeks God, God seeks man.
After Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, God came looking for him and asked, “Where are you?” Not because God did not know where Adam was, but because God was initiating restoration.
Throughout history, whenever mankind wandered away, God called them back.
When Israel turned away, God called them back.
When the prophets warned the nation, they were calling people back.
When John the Baptist preached, he called people back.
When Jesus began His ministry, His first message was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The Gospel itself is God’s call to return.
The Heart of the Shepherd
Many people view God as distant, angry, or waiting to punish.
Yet Scripture presents a different picture.
The Lord describes Himself as a shepherd.
A shepherd knows his sheep.
A shepherd cares for his sheep.
A shepherd searches for sheep that wander.
A shepherd protects sheep from danger.
A shepherd does not rejoice when a sheep is lost.
He rejoices when it is found.
This is why Jesus said:
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Notice that Jesus did not say that He came merely to condemn the lost.
He came to seek them.
He came looking for them.
He came calling them.
He came to restore them.
This is the heart of God.
God Initiates Restoration
Isaiah 55 gives us one of the most beautiful invitations in all of Scripture.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found.”
This invitation reveals something important.
God is the One extending His hand.
God is the One inviting.
God is the One calling.
The sinner does not negotiate the terms.
The sinner responds to the call.
Salvation begins with God’s mercy.
Restoration begins with God’s mercy.
Revival begins with God’s mercy.
Everything begins with God.
Even our desire to return to Him is evidence of His grace working in our hearts.
The Problem of Wandering
The Bible repeatedly shows us that people have a tendency to wander.
Israel wandered.
Kings wandered.
Prophets warned against wandering.
The disciples themselves struggled.
Peter wandered.
Thomas doubted.
Yet the Lord continued calling.
This should encourage us.
Because many believers today feel ashamed of their failures.
Some feel they have gone too far.
Others feel they have drifted away from God.
Yet the message of Isaiah remains unchanged.
“Return to the Lord.”
Not because we deserve forgiveness.
But because God is rich in mercy.
The Promise of Mercy
Isaiah does not simply tell us to return.
He tells us what awaits those who return.
Compassion.
Forgiveness.
Pardon.
The Lord says that He will “abundantly pardon.”
Not reluctantly pardon.
Not partially pardon.
Abundantly pardon.
This is the character of God.
The cross of Christ stands as the greatest proof of this truth.
God did not wait for humanity to save itself.
He sent His Son.
Jesus carried our sins.
Jesus bore our punishment.
Jesus opened the way back to the Father.
Every call to return ultimately points us to Christ.
The Shepherd Still Calls
The message of Scripture is not merely a list of commands.
It is an invitation.
The Shepherd is calling His sheep.
The Father is calling His children.
The Saviour is calling sinners.
The invitation remains open:
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”
Today is the day to respond.
Today is the day to return.
Today is the day to draw near to God.
For the Shepherd still calls.
Reflect & Examine
As we begin this journey, each of us must ask a personal question: Am I truly seeking the Lord, or am I simply following religious habits and traditions? The Shepherd is still calling. The question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are listening.
- Where am I spiritually?
- Have I grown closer to Christ, or have I drifted away?
- Am I following His Word wholeheartedly, or have I become comfortable with routine religion?
Today’s Step
Set aside a few quiet minutes today. Open God’s Word, ask Him to speak to your heart, and respond honestly to what He shows you.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy and Your patience. Thank You that even when we wander, You continue to call us back to Yourself.
Give us ears to hear Your voice and hearts that respond in obedience. Draw us closer to Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and help us walk faithfully in Your truth. In Jesus name,
Amen.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” — Isaiah 55:6