The Good Shepherd
Ezekiel 34:14-16: "I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice."
Yesterday, we read about the failure of the religious leaders to care for the nation of Israel. As the nation went astray from the Lord, he brought judgement upon the land and the people. Thousands of people were exiled to the nation of Babylon. It was to those people that Ezekiel prophesied. Where the religious leaders failed to lead and care for those entrusted to them, the Lord would come to seek them out, to rescue them, and to restore them. He would be the shepherd to his people; thus, he would be the one to nurture and care for them.
Here, the Lord spoke of providing rest for his people; he once again said he would seek out all those sheep who had been lost and bring them back to the fold; he would bind up their wounds, strengthen them, and bring justice upon those who hurt them. The Lord himself would care for his people and provide all that they need.
These words were life to those exiled. Their hope had dried up; they felt forgotten, abandoned, and stuck in their exile. Despite their many failings, the Lord still saw them, cared for them, and had a plan for them. The God of the Hebrews was truly a God of mercy and grace. He never forgot his covenants even when his own people seemed to forget him.
The Lord is still a God of mercy and grace. He still sees us even when we have deliberately strayed or when we have been led astray by others. The Lord still seeks out his people, rescues them, and loves to restore them.
Are you in need of the Lord's work in your life today? Do you know that these promises are for you? The Lord is your Good Shepherd. He will lead you to good pasture; he will give you rest; he will care for you, nurture you, and strengthen you. The Lord has a plan for your restoration. Will you look to him today as that Good Shepherd and invite him to do his holy work in you?
Reflection:
Do you need to repent and return to the Lord as the nation of Israel did in the day of Ezekiel? The Lord is so merciful and gracious. He stands ready to receive you. Do not delay. Turn back to him today!
Yesterday, we read about the failure of the religious leaders to care for the nation of Israel. As the nation went astray from the Lord, he brought judgement upon the land and the people. Thousands of people were exiled to the nation of Babylon. It was to those people that Ezekiel prophesied. Where the religious leaders failed to lead and care for those entrusted to them, the Lord would come to seek them out, to rescue them, and to restore them. He would be the shepherd to his people; thus, he would be the one to nurture and care for them.
Here, the Lord spoke of providing rest for his people; he once again said he would seek out all those sheep who had been lost and bring them back to the fold; he would bind up their wounds, strengthen them, and bring justice upon those who hurt them. The Lord himself would care for his people and provide all that they need.
These words were life to those exiled. Their hope had dried up; they felt forgotten, abandoned, and stuck in their exile. Despite their many failings, the Lord still saw them, cared for them, and had a plan for them. The God of the Hebrews was truly a God of mercy and grace. He never forgot his covenants even when his own people seemed to forget him.
The Lord is still a God of mercy and grace. He still sees us even when we have deliberately strayed or when we have been led astray by others. The Lord still seeks out his people, rescues them, and loves to restore them.
Are you in need of the Lord's work in your life today? Do you know that these promises are for you? The Lord is your Good Shepherd. He will lead you to good pasture; he will give you rest; he will care for you, nurture you, and strengthen you. The Lord has a plan for your restoration. Will you look to him today as that Good Shepherd and invite him to do his holy work in you?
Reflection:
Do you need to repent and return to the Lord as the nation of Israel did in the day of Ezekiel? The Lord is so merciful and gracious. He stands ready to receive you. Do not delay. Turn back to him today!
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