Why provide Safety and Protection? Why make time to build Relationships?

Firstly, be the dads who are the shepherds of your home and provide safety and Protection to your wives and kids! Secondly, be the dads who make the time to build healthy and strong relationships with your wives and kids. Finally, remember that you aren’t just a king to rule over your home but also a shepherd with the stewardship responsibility to take care of it and all those who live with you.

Consider what a shepherd’s key responsibilities are:

1. Know the sheep: so let’s ensure we know our wives and kids and make the time to build these relationships.
2. Provide for the sheep: let’s be the dads who work hard to ensure our wives and kids are fed and clothed.
3. Lead the sheep: let’s be the dads who spiritually, emotionally, and physically lead our families into the presence of God and into His pursuit.
4. Protect the sheep: let’s be the dads who protect our wives and kids as good stewards of God.

Remember from David’s Psalms how God is our shepherd providing safety and protection:

‘The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.

He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,

And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord .’

Psalms 23:1-6

Verse of the Day:

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who provides safety and protection:

What better role model of safety and protection than what we find in God’s Word? God’s Word shows us a model of a good shepherd through David as he protected his flock which prepared him for his battle and courage to face Goliath because of his faith in God! Jesus, our good shepherd, sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay the price necessary for us to be able to be reconciled to God for all our sins. So as dads, we need to do everything we can to ensure the safety and protection of our wives and kids! We need to make sure are doing it in a way that builds strong and healthy relationships with each of them!

So how can we apply today’s verse of the day to be the dads God created and purposed for us to be today?

Applications of today’s verse of the day in providing safety and protection:

• Be a good example: Just as the shepherd is an example to the sheep, a dad should be a good example for their children to follow.
• Protect from physical harm: A dad should take steps to protect their children from physical harm, such as providing a safe home and car.
• Protect from emotional harm: A dad should also protect their children from emotional harm, such as by providing a loving and supportive home environment.
• Be present: A good shepherd is always present for their sheep, and a dad should also strive to be present in their children’s lives.
• Provide guidance: Just as a shepherd guides their sheep, a dad should provide guidance and direction for their children.
• Teach important life skills: A dad should teach their children important life skills, such as how to stay safe and protect themselves in different situations.
• Listen and communicate: A good shepherd listens to the needs of their sheep, and a dad should listen to their children and communicate with them effectively.
• Set boundaries: A dad should set appropriate boundaries for their children, such as setting limits on screen time or curfew times.
• Discipline with love: A good shepherd disciplines their sheep with love, and a dad should discipline their children with love and understanding.
• Be willing to make sacrifices: Just as the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, a dad should be willing to make sacrifices for the safety and protection of their children, such as giving up their own time and resources to provide for them.