August 30th~Feed My Sheep

Ezekiel 34:1-36:38

Ezekiel gave us another glimpse of what would take place after God brought His people back to their homeland. “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away and you will no longer worship idols. I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey My laws and do whatever I command” (36:25-27).

This message was a foreshadowing of what would happen when the Messiah would come and establish the New Covenant. He would bring salvation with Him and give us a new heart. When He left, He would send the Holy Spirit to indwell His followers, so that they would have His strength to overcome their sin and govern themselves, keeping to His laws and statutes. We are, of course, living in that time today.

I was struck today by Ezekiel’s blistering message to the leaders of God’s people. “Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You let your flock starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended to the sick or bound up the broken bones. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost... So my sheep are scattered without a shepherd. They have wandered into the mountains and hills and no one has gone to search for them” (34:1-6).

Daily Reflection

This passage struck a chord with me because I am in numerous leadership positions; yet I get so busy and distracted with my own problems that I oftentimes fail to notice, much less tend to, those people around me. I am guilty of feeding myself while others starve.

How are you doing with recognizing and meeting the needs of those around you? Can you relate to my failure? How does our neglect fall in line with the enemy’s plans for your life?

List those people whom you have neglected to shepherd, to lead, to pray for, and to care for as you should.

What are some ways that you can do better at shepherding the “sheep”? How can you focus more attention on others when you have your own issues to deal with?

Jesus asked Peter once, “Do you love Me?” Peter, of course, said that he did. Jesus responded, “Then feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17). Whether or not you have a leadership position, there are those in your sphere of influence — family, friends, co-workers, church members, neighbors — that need attention. They are weak, sick, broken, and starving, and the Lord has placed you there to share His love with them. Don’t miss your opportunities to be a good shepherd. Feed the sheep!

BiAY.org | Day 242 — 123 Days to Go