DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
JULY 4, 2026
READ: Ezekiel 34 (Focus 1-2, 11-16)
MEMORY VERSE
“I myself will tend my sheep.” Ezekiel 34:15
BACKGROUND
“A baby deer is caught in our fence!” Heather called to her husband, Tim. He gently set it free, but its mother was nowhere to be seen. That afternoon Tim saw a herd of deer emerge from the woods and graze nearby.
One doe seemed especially alert. Wondering if she was the fawn’s mother, Tim looked up a recording of a fawn’s distress cry on his mobile phone and played it loudly over the speaker. The doe began to follow him, and he led her to where the fawn was nestled away.
The fawn immediately began to nurse; freedom had been obtained, mother and baby were reunited—all thanks to Tim’s gentle shepherding.
God is even more intentional in caring for His people and providing the freedom we need. The people of Israel had stumbled in their sin and were trapped in exile in Babylon.
Yet God promised, “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them” (Ezekiel 34:11). Because Israel’s leaders had allowed them to be “scattered” (v. 12), God said, “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays” (v. 16).
Believers in Jesus see God’s ultimate care in His search and rescue mission for us. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep,” Jesus said (John 10:11).
When we were lost in our sins and captive to them, He chose to rescue us at great cost. On this day and all days, freedom is precious. Let’s celebrate the Good Shepherd, who has set us free!
James Banks
INSIGHT
Like the prophet Ezekiel, Isaiah also depicts God as a shepherd: “He tends his flock like a shepherd” (Isaiah 40:11).
In Jesus, God appeared in the flesh as both a shepherd and a lamb. John says, He’s “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) and “the good shepherd” (10:14) who laid down His life for us.
Revelation 7:17 beautifully pictures Him as both a lamb and a shepherd: “The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ” Today, Jesus, as our Great Shepherd, offers us salvation and living water that will last.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What does God’s shepherding heart mean to you? How might you thank Him for His care today?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God is even more intentional in caring for His people and providing the freedom we need…When we were lost in our sins and captive to them, He chose to rescue us at great cost. On this day and all days, – 4th of July – freedom is precious. Let’s celebrate the Good Shepherd, who has set us free!
PR’s TAKE
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36. “While America celebrates its Independence. We are reminded that complete Independence cones from the free gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the Christ.” Anonymous
PRAYER
Good Shepherd, thank You for loving me and setting me free.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
&“SAVIOR LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US”
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee
Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
