Ezekiel 34:11 “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.”
What have you asked God to do for the people that shepherd your life? When I talk about “shepherds,” I mean people that guide and provide. Whenever you see sheep, they are not far from a person. If you see a sheep off by himself, that poor creature is asking for trouble!
Like a sheep needs a shepherd, each one of us needs people to help guide us and provide for us. Who are some shepherds in our lives? Parents, pastors, teachers, and others have been given the task to “shepherd” us. No matter who you are, how old you are, or how far in life you’ve gone, there will always be someone who will shepherd your life.
The truth is, God’s shepherds need God’s strength. The perfect Shepherd is described for us in Ezekiel 34. God says, “I will seek out my sheep . . . I will bring them out . . . I will feed them in a good pasture . . . I will cause them to lie down . . . I will seek . . . and will bring again . . . and will bind . . . and will strengthen.” So what is the difference between the Ideal Shepherd and the one you have right now (your preacher, your boss, your parents)? How wide is the gap between what they (or you) should be and what God would be? The difference is the Lord’s help!
Your abilities as a shepherd and God’s abilities as a Shepherd are a universe apart. What you need to be a competent shepherd as a parent, a preacher, or a boss is God’s strength! To shepherd God’s sheep, you need God’s strength!
You may not be everything you should be, but if you would ask the Lord for His strength, it would make a difference in how well you shepherd. If you would pray for your pastor, it would make a difference in how well he shepherds. If you would pray for your parents, it would make a difference in how well your mom and dad shepherd. On the other hand, if you are not praying, you have no right-none-to complain. How have you prayed for God’s shepherds in your life?
Prayer Requests:
1. Service tonight in North Salem, IN
2. Bill Rice Ranch Father-Son Adventure this weekend