“He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” — Isaiah 40:11

Who is He of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is THE GOODSHEPHERD. Why doth He carry the lambs in His bosom? Because Hehath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts His heart. The sighs,the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock draw forth Hiscompassion. It is His office, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak.Besides, He purchased them with blood, they are His property: He mustand will care for that which cost Him so dear. Then He is responsible foreach lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover,they are all a part of His glory and reward.

But how may we understand the expression, “He will carry them”? Sometimes He…

carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial.Providence deals tenderly with them. Often they are “carried” by beingfilled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand fast.Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness inwhat they do know. Frequently He “carries” them by giving them a verysimple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and believingly runswith every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith givesthem an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.

“He carries the lambs in His bosom.” Here is boundless affection. WouldHe put them in His bosom if He did not love them much? Here is tendernearness: so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer. Here ishallowed familiarity: there are precious love-passages between Christ andHis weak ones. Here is perfect safety: in His bosom who can hurt them?They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetestcomfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the infinite tendernessof Jesus!

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen