We all know that sheep aren’t the brightest creatures, but have you seen the sheep video that went viral last year? It shows a young boy carefully pulling a sheep out of a narrow trench next to the road. You can almost hear the sheep thinking, “I’m free! Wheeee!” as it jumps across the green grass . . . and then lands right in the same trench again. 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be studying the Lord as our good Shepherd. I love this metaphor and how often we find it in the scriptures, because it beautifully depicts the Lord’s loving care for His children. This week we’re looking at how the Lord seeks, rescues, and gathers His sheep. Even though we sinned against Him and strayed from Him—even though we keep jumping into those trenches over and over again—He faithfully pursues us and brings us back. 

Fun fact: we’ve never had a Monday devotional from the book of Ezekiel before! But my pastor preached on this passage a few weeks ago, and I knew right away that I wanted to share it with you. 

“For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.” (Ezekiel 34:11-13)

This passage refers to God bringing the exiled Israelites back from Babylon to Jerusalem, but it also points us to Jesus. He ultimately fulfilled this promise when He died and rose again, providing a rescue for sinners and bringing them into the fold of the good Shepherd (John 10:16). 

If you belong to Christ, it’s because He searched for you and delivered you from sin and death. He brought you into His family by His grace, and He’ll never let you go. 

No matter what you face this week, the good Shepherd has sought you, rescued you, and gathered you to Himself. 

Share

When I look back on my kids’ newborn days, I don’t remember a lot of sleeping, except one situation: the post-car ride slumber. We could strap them into their infant carrier, drive to a restaurant, put the baby in the booth with us (still nestled in the carrier), and enjoy a long, relaxing dinner. It didn’t matter what chaos was going on in the restaurant around us, our baby would peacefully snooze through it all. 

I wish I had the ability to nap in any setting, but even more than that, I long for a peaceful, calm spirit in the midst of a chaotic world. The kind of peace that allowed Jesus to be asleep in the boat in the middle of a storm (Mark 4:37-38). The peace that faces turbulence with hope, joy, and trust in our Savior. 

That peace is only found in Jesus, who said: 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) 

Jesus promised us His peace. This peace is different than any peace the world has to offer. The world’s peace is tentative and temporary. Jesus’s peace is steadfast and eternal, because it is rooted in the character and purposes of God. 

When Jesus gives us His peace, we don’t have to be troubled or afraid. We can be calm in the midst of chaos because we belong to the One who rules over all things. We are secure in His faithful hands. 

How do we get this peace? When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He was explaining to them that He was going away and the Father would send the Holy Spirit. He told them that the Spirit would “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). 

The Spirit reminds us of God’s promises that we receive in Christ Jesus. He gives us peace that only comes from Him. This peace is available to us every moment of every day, because God’s Spirit lives in us. This is the only peace that will carry us calmly through the chaos. 

No matter what you face this week, Jesus offers you His perfect peace. 

Share

Most of my coffee shop chats with friends these days center on the challenges of parenting tweens and teens. We share about decisions we make that are unpopular with our kids and encourage each other to stay the course. 

When you’re the one facing the eye-rolls and disgusted sighs of a child whose happiness you care about, you’ve got to cling to this basic truth: you know what’s best for your child. You know more than she does. She doesn’t understand how you could possibly be acting in her best interest, but you’ve got 20-30 more years of experience in this world, and you are qualified to make some decisions about her life. 

I like to think I’m mature than my kids, but there are times that I want to do more than just roll my eyes at God. “I don’t get it!” I cry out in my pain and confusion. “How could this possibly be Your plan?” 

God’s Word gently reminds me that my heavenly Father is qualified to rule over my days: 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

His ways are not our ways. That feels like an understatement sometimes! And yet, His higher ways are rooted in His higher thoughts, which reflect His infinite wisdom and understanding. His higher ways are good, wise, and righteous because all that He does is consistent with His character. 

The Bible tells us about one more aspect of God’s character that is higher than the heavens. Psalm 103:11 says, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.” Even when we don’t understand His ways, we can have confidence in His goodness and love toward us in all that He does. 

These are two things our finite human minds can’t fathom: God’s ways and God’s steadfast love. When we don’t understand what He’s doing, we can trust that His actions flow from both His infinite wisdom and His steadfast love for His children. 

No matter what you face this week, His ways and His steadfast love are as high as the heavens. 

Share