MAY 23, 2013
Star
Shepherd
Read: Ezekiel
34:11-16
Why do you say, . . . “My way is hidden from the Lord”? —Isaiah 40:27
In
the spring, shepherds in Idaho move their flocks from the lowlands into
the
mountains. Thousands of sheep move up the passes into the high country
to
summer pasture.
My
wife and I came across a flock on Shaw Mountain last week. It was bedded
down
in a meadow by a quiet stream—a picturesque scene that evoked memories
of Psalm
23.
But
where was the shepherd? The sheep appeared to be alone—until a few broke
away from
the flock and began to wander toward a distant gully. Then we heard a
shrill
whistle from above. Looking up, we saw the shepherd sitting high on a hill
above the sheep, keeping watch over his flock. A mountain dog and two Border
collies stood at his side. The dogs, responding to the shepherd’s signal,
bounded
down the hill and herded the drifting sheep back to the flock where
they belonged.
In
the same way, the Good Shepherd is watching over you. Even though you cannot
see Him, He can see you! He knows you by name and knows all about you. You are
the sheep of His pasture (Ezek. 34:31). God promises that He will “seek out”
His
sheep, “feed them in good pasture,” and “bind up the broken” (vv.12,14,16).
You
can trust in God’s watchful care.
I trust in God, I know He cares for me
On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
Though billows roll, He keeps my soul,
My heavenly Father watches over me. —Martin
The Lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to care
for us.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
