Listening to the Good Shepherd

Listening to the Good Shepherd

Author: Our Daily Bread Ministries May 16, 2026 Duration: 0:00

I opened my online banking app and discovered two withdrawals over $500 each, which I hadn’t made. Panicked, I called the bank and discovered my identity had been stolen. With the bank’s help, I was able to reinstate my good standing, but the experience taught me to be alert to prevent such thefts in the future.

In John 10:10, Jesus warned, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Rebuking religious leaders who opposed Him for healing on the Sabbath (9:13-15), Jesus revealed their motive: to steal, kill, and destroy. Our spiritual enemy, Satan, plots to steal our understanding of God’s grace—and the freedom Jesus’ death provides for us. Hope and help come earlier in the passage where Jesus described Himself as the good shepherd who calls His sheep by name (10:2-4). The good shepherd’s sheep “will run away from [a thief] because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice” (v. 5).

We sometimes find ourselves victimized by the evil in our world. But our loving God invites us into a practice of discernment where we learn to recognize and avoid the voice of our enemy who wants to steal, kill, and destroy. As we tune our ears to the voice of our Good Shepherd, we can trust Him to lead us to life “to the full” (v. 10).


Each day, Our Daily Bread Podcast offers a quiet moment of reflection grounded in scripture. Produced by Our Daily Bread Ministries, these brief audio readings are more than just a narration of the devotional; they are an invitation to pause and consider how timeless biblical truths connect to the realities of modern life. You'll hear a thoughtful exploration of a passage, often accompanied by a relatable story or personal insight, all designed to make the wisdom of the Bible accessible and practical. This podcast serves as a gentle daily companion for anyone looking to cultivate a deeper, more consistent engagement with their faith amidst a busy routine. It transforms a few minutes of your day into a space for spiritual nourishment and perspective. Whether during a morning commute, a lunch break, or a quiet evening, each episode provides a focused point of connection, encouraging listeners to carry that sense of peace and purpose forward. The consistent, calm delivery and substantive content have made this a trusted resource for individuals and families seeking to integrate faith into their daily rhythm. By meeting listeners where they are, this audio experience faithfully extends the ministry's long-standing mission of providing daily biblical encouragement.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Our Daily Bread Podcast | Our Daily Bread
Podcast Episodes
Children of God [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
One of my favorite books of optical illusions always astounds me as the pictures deceive my eyes—like one with two lines of the same length appearing to be different sizes, or the famous “impossible staircase” in which f…
God’s Rescue Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
When a father learned his five-year-old daughter had fallen overboard from the fourth deck of the cruise ship they were on, he plunged into the ocean forty feet below to rescue her. He held on to his daughter while tread…
Seeking God’s Kingdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
My young grandson was spending the night in our new home, in a bed unfamiliar to him. He giggled with excitement as we read books under the dinosaur tent I’d pitched atop his cozy comforter, but when it was time to sleep…
Look to God [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Elise felt the panic rising. The book layout was due the next day, but the printer had rejected the photos. It could take days to sort it out.
Eternity with God [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
On England’s south coast, two women who are both named Kate run the Coffin Club. They created this place for people to prepare for their eventual death through selecting and decorating their coffins. Kate’s dad died when…
Be Patient [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Shiro Oguni once visited a group home for adults with dementia. Heartbroken at their isolation from the hum of society, he felt there ought to be a better way. Oguni’s creative genius led to what is known as the Restaura…
The God Who Helps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
While driving her nine-year-old son to camp, a mother got lost after taking a wrong turn and getting the car stuck on a rural forest road in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Her GPS and phone quit working becau…
Deadly Confusion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
A loud thump came from a window in the classroom where I was teaching and startled the students. Then another thump! A bird had flown headlong into the glass and bounced off, only to make another run for yet another cras…
Persevering into Joy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Nestled in a corner of the brick steps leading up to our front door is a hardy little scarlet begonia. We didn’t plant it—it must have grown there from a seed that fell out of a hanging basket. But we’ve let it remain.
Divine Comfort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
The sound of the cascading water confirmed that I’d arrived at the 9/11 Memorial Pools in New York City, a place I’d avoided visiting for fear of being overwhelmed by sadness and grief from what took place there that tra…