September 1

This was a great passage! What hope! What promise! That we would have a new heart, and God’s Spirit to MOVE us to obey! Yes! I need His moving!

Yet for me as a shepherd I couldn’t stop thinking about what good shepherds are supposed to do. God was asking the shepherds of the people if it wasn’t enough for them to be supplied for? They evidently were making it miserable on people and prosperous for themselves. Here in this rebuke is found my job description. As I read it I asked myself if that is what my life is about. I think it is. A good shepherd is one who takes care of the flock as well as himself. He strengthens the weak and heals the sick, bound up and injured, he goes after the strays and searches for the lost. He rules, but he does it with gentleness and love. The good shepherd gives them rest, he helps them to find it and administrates justice.

Oh God, make me like you. Help me to be a good shepherd and do what it takes. I am moved to do just those things but so many flaws hinder me. Cleanse me, purge me, strengthen me and give me wisdom to administrate this office.