Month: July 2014

“I will tend them with good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will tend My flock and let them lie down.” This is the declaration of the Lord God: “I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will shepherd them with justice.” Ezekiel 34:14-16 HCSB

This week God has allowed me to be with all of my family, including two grandchildren, at the beach. It has been an enjoyable time as we have spent time together remembering the past, sharing stories, and playing games. As a father, I want only the best for my children. I still want to protect them and provide for them as much as I can. I would do anything for any of them.

As believers in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we are children of God. These verses in Ezekiel remind us that God is a good God. He is the Good Shepherd. He wants only the best for His children – His flock. Using the analogy of a shepherd and his flock, God promises good grazing on rich pasture. Psalm 23, which is often read at funerals, is another reminder that God is our Good Shepherd and makes us lie down in green pastures. God seeks the lost, the strays, the injured, and the weak. Jesus stated this His mission was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). God cares about everyone and wants them to be a part of His family.

Challenge: Thank God that as a believer you are a child of God. He cares for you and takes care of you. He promises you an abundant life here and now on this earth and eternal life forever in heaven.

“They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.” Ezekiel 34:4 HCSB

We once had a family pet cocker spaniel named Josephine who was a great companion for our children and even went with us on vacations. One time she actually followed our daughter to school and we had to go pick her up from school. She would allow our children to dress her up and often allowed them to add glasses or a hat for a picture pose. We had rescued her from a life of wandering and seeking to find food. She had no other options and needed someone to rescue her.

The people of Israel had hit rock bottom. They had been defeated and many had been taken into captivity and lived as slaves for the Babylonian people. Just as God rescued His people from certain destruction of the flood, He has promised to never destroy the earth with a flood again. Only God could rescue them and put them on the right path to have a full and meaningful life.

Challenge: Thank God for rescuing you from a life of certain despair and anxiety and giving you the promise of an abundant life with Him. Pray for God’s guidance if you are called by Him to help rescue someone from destruction and despair and offer him a spiritual reason for living.

You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. Ezekiel 34:4 HCSB

Just this week I was given the privilege of helping someone who was homeless. He had been sleeping in his car and had been unable to clean up for several days. He had not eaten for two days and was almost out of gas. I was able to give him some food and put some gas in his car. He was planning to go to a place where he could take a shower and clean up. It is a good feeling to help another person in need.

In this one verse we learn that the leaders of Israel had neglected the weak, sick, injured, strays, and the lost. They had ruled with violence and cruelty. The word used for cruelty was the same word used in Exodus 1:13-14 to describe how the Egyptian taskmasters had treated the Israelites during bondage. Christ expects us to help others. He said, “And the King will answer them, I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40).

Challenge: When was the last time you helped someone in need? Pray that God will provide you with an opportunity to help someone this week.