By Kylie McCracken
As we hit the halfway mark of the first month of 2026 and halfway through this 21 Day journey together, how is it going? What is your heart longing for in this new year and in this season of prayer & fasting? I believe your true answer is probably found in today’s reading. (Did you read John 10 & Psalm 34 before ending up here? If you haven’t read it, go there first! God speaks to us through His living & active Word. Don’t skip the most important part.)
What are you praying or longing for:
Is it a rich & satisfying life? (John 10:10)
Is it knowing & being known by the Father? (John 10:14)
Is it hearing the voice of Jesus? (John 10:27)
Is it freedom from fear? (Psalm 34:4)
Is it joy? (Psalm 34:5)
Is it peace, help, rescue, protection? (Psalm 34:14, 17, 19, 22)
I believe your answer is on the list because the list describes the life Jesus died to give us. It also describes the life the enemy does not want us to experience. Many remain stuck in restlessness, anxiety, and a daily life that feels anything but rich & satisfying. The enemy’s lies and our own choices cause us to forget we are sheep who are known, protected, and led by the Good Shepherd. We try to be shepherds of our own lives. We don’t really trust our true Shepherd, so we have to depend on ourselves to figure it all out and hold together everyone & everything around us.
It doesn’t have to be that way!
I am a sheep. I can’t protect myself. I can’t carry heavy burdens. I can’t even lead myself without ending up needing rescued. I can stress and wear myself out wandering around in the dark all on my own, or I can choose to trust my Shepherd. We live in a broken world and we WILL face helplessness, shame, fear, desperation, and troubles. What we decide to do with those moments will determine if we get stuck, or if we walk in peace, joy, and freedom. The choice is ours.
“I sought the Lord and He answered me.” Psalm 34:4
“Those who look to Him for help are radiant with joy.” Psalm 34:5
“Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8
Our part is Seeking Him, Looking to Him for help & taking refuge in Him. And the result is Joy.
The hard part is, there is no need for help or refuge on an easy, boring road where everything goes right all the time. Trust me, I know none of us want to sign up for circumstances that will drive us to asking for help and seeking refuge. But the truth is, the hardest moments in my life have created the deepest confidence in me that the Father’s promises are true and His faithfulness is unwavering. Not just because I have heard He is faithful, but because:
He freed me from my fears.
He saved me from my troubles.
He surrounded me & defended me.
He has given me every good thing I need.
He heard me. He is near.
He rescued me – over and over again. He redeemed.
He knows me, and I hear his voice.
He has been my peace and He has given me joy.
At the end of John Chapter 10, the people wanted proof that Jesus is who He says He is. After witnessing wonders and miracles first hand and hearing Jesus’ words from His own mouth, they still had to make a choice. Was He a blasphemer or was He truly God? The chapter ends with “many followed Him…many believed…” that meant some still didn’t. Some wanted to arrest and stone him. I just want to stand on the side of the road pleading, “Look at how much proof you have already seen! How much more do you need?” But as I was reading this, I felt the Holy Spirit point me back to my own heart and ask me the same question. I still do that sometimes, too. I have seen His goodness, and I can still choose to hold on and not run to Him for help until after I have exhausted myself trying to handle it on my own.
What about you? What have you seen Him do? What proof is in your life that Jesus is who He says He is? Are you still looking for more when you have already seen Him at work? I can promise you, friends, He is faithful. And I can promise you that when you cry out to Him, call on Him for help, seek Him as your refuge – you will experience it for yourself. His Word says so. And all of His words are true.
As sheep, our job description is simple:
Trust our Shepherd. Believe. Listen. Follow.
This is the narrow path to the full, abundant life of being known, protected, and led by a loving Shepherd. This is the heart that is prepared and equipped to be part of His Kingdom work all around us. Radiant with joy. Walking in freedom. Guarded & Surrounded. Rescued & Redeemed. May this kind of life not just be the longing of your heart, but the reality of your days as you trust your Shepherd and listen to His voice more and more.
Father,
In our world, and in my life I am so grateful for the relief and peace that comes from knowing I have a Good Shepherd. Help me to fully trust you and to surrender daily to your loving guidance, your protection, and your voice that leads me. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases you. I let go of all of the ways I try to shepherd myself. Help me to rest from all of the striving and figuring it out on my own. I choose to believe, to listen, and to follow you. Thank you for hearing me, rescuing me, freeing me, and being near. Amen.
I was in tears multiple times through this devotional.
Biggest hit was, “I just want to stand on the side of the road pleading, “Look at how much proof you have already seen! How much more do you need?” But as I was reading this, I felt the Holy Spirit point me back to my own heart and ask me the same question.”
Great Job, Kylie!!