Through The Bible in a Year - July 15, 2026

"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice... I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." - John 10:3-4, 11

One of the most striking things about the Middle Eastern shepherd is what he doesn't do. He doesn't drive his sheep from behind—prodding, pushing, forcing them forward. He leads from the front. He walks ahead into unknown territory. He goes first.

That means when the path is uncertain, the shepherd has already been there. When the valley is dark, the shepherd has already entered it. When the danger is ahead, the shepherd is already standing between the flock and whatever threatens it.

"He goes before them."

And Jesus—the Good Shepherd—took that to its ultimate expression. He didn't just lead through danger. He led through death itself. He went to the cross first. He lay in the tomb first. He walked out of it first. And because He went before, He can lead His sheep through.

I remember the first time that I conducted the funeral of a young person. Friends wept, a community mourned, parents were devastated and I felt totally inadequate. The only thing I knew to do was pray for God’s help and in his mercy brought an old hymn to mind: "He leadeth me. O precious thought. O words with heavenly comfort fraught. Whatever I do, wherever I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me."

I needed those words to remind me that Jesus was already leading that young person to a heavenly home, leading friends and family to needed faith, and leading me to adequacy beyond my ability. Jesus was already ahead of us all, leading us to his presence, power, and peace.

Whatever you are facing right now—the shepherd has gone before you.

The grief you're walking into—He's been there. He wept at a tomb. He knows what it is to lose someone dear.

The suffering that seems pointless—He has walked that path ahead of you, hanging on a cross abandoned by friends and family. He knows what it is to be in pain without immediate resolution.

The future trials that lie ahead—He went ahead of us into those also, setting His face like a flint toward Jerusalem knowing what was waiting. He walked into the pain and come through it so that we would never have to face it alone or without purpose.

You are not walking into anything that your Shepherd has not already entered ahead of you.

Respond: What path ahead of you feels most uncertain or frightening right now? What valley are you approaching that you can't see through?

The shepherd goes before you. Not beside you—before you. He is already there. Already standing between you and whatever threatens. Already knowing the way through.

This week, pray Psalm 23 about God’s presence in shadowed valleys as a personal declaration about the specific valley you're facing. Don't read it generally. Read it as a word about your specific situation. "Even though I walk through this valley—He is with me. His rod and His staff, they comfort me. He prepares a table in the presence of my enemies."

He has gone before you. Follow His voice. He will take you through.

Prayer: Good Shepherd, I can see the valley ahead and I don't want to walk into it. I don't know how to get through. Help me to remember that You go before me. You have already been to the cross and through the tomb. You know what it is to walk through darkness and come out the other side. Lead me. Help me follow Your voice. Even through this. You are ahead of me – and behind me, and above me, and below me. I trust You to lead me through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.