SUMMARY: Selfish shepherds
OVERVIEW: The Lord condemns Israel’s bad shepherds for neglecting their duties and only taking care of themselves. Israel does not have to fear, however, because the Lord will be their shepherd.
BIG IDEA: The Lord is our shepherd, and we will lack nothing.
KEY VERSE: Ezekiel 34:10 (God to Ezekiel)
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
Do you search for security or peace or encouragement or comfort? Are you looking for hope or love or faithfulness or forgiveness? Many claim their qualifications to offer some or all of the above. And even if they can temporarily offer relief or a remedy, they cannot sustain it. There are some unhealthy church leaders who demand respect yet fail to help others grow in my grace and knowledge. They fall short, feeding others only when it’s convenient or when they benefit. Beware of those shepherds.
I will give you hope and a future. I will forgive your sins. I will provide your daily bread. I will give you strength and wisdom. I will rescue you from evil or from yourself. I will comfort you when you are injured, and I will heal you when you are sick. I will give you peace in your heart and joy in your soul. I will shepherd you and lead you in the ways I want you to serve others. And I will hold bad shepherds accountable.
NEXT STEP
Whom can you shepherd today? What person can you reach out to pray for, serve, assist, or encourage today? Do it because God does it for you and because he wants you to follow his example.
MUSIC VIDEO
[youtube id=”P5AkNqLuVgY”]