“I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord God.
~Ezekiel 34:15 (NASB)
I had a perfect view of our Pastor’s care of his sheep where I grew up in Virginia. He rented the fields by our home, and it was evident that his sheep trusted his voice. Every evening they waited by the gate for him to feed them, and then they followed him in a line. He searched for and rescued the lost, and then he bound up the wounds of the injured. Likewise, He shepherded his congregation with tender care and humility.
My brothers and I would slip through the fence and try to follow his kind example. But the sheep often fled from us. They didn’t know our voice , and we hadn’t earned their trust. Also, we hadn’t provided for their physical needs, and we hadn’t led them to streams of refreshment. Instead, I think we had some fun as we chased them away.
Ezekiel 34 shows us how to minister. It’s a picture of how Christ has watched over his flock. He was indignant because no one was concerned about His wayward sheep. Woe to those who’ve fed themselves. Shame on us when we muddy waters and trample down the poor in spirit. Do we push with side and shoulder and thrust the weak in faith until they scatter?
God doesn’t give up on His lost sheep, not one has strayed too far. We don’t have to clean up before He chases us down. Let’s follow His example.
I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered , bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgement. Ezekiel 34:16 (NASB)
Ponder this day, “What does it look like to go after the lost?”
Lily Mae
There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherds care
Away from the tender Shepherds care.
Lord Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine, are they not enough for Thee
But the Shepherd gave answer “this sheep of mine has wandered away from me”
And although the way may be rough and steep
I go to the desert to find my sheep, I go to the desert to find my sheep
But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed
Nor how dark was the night that The Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost
Out in the desert He heard his cry
Sick and helpless and ready to die
Sick and helpless and ready to die
And all through the mountains thunder riven
And up from the rocky steep
There arose a glad cry to the gates of Heaven
Rejoice I have found my sheep
And the angels echoed around the throne
Rejoice for The Lord brings back His own,
Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, for The Lord brings back His own
I love this song…..He is not willing that any should perish
Beautiful! Love the line, “But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through”…