God the True Shepherd

God Loves Us
God's Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love

God as Our Shepherd

Ezekiel 34:11-16The Message

11-16 “‘God, the Master, says: From now on, I myself am the shepherd. I’m going looking for them. As shepherds go after their flocks when they get scattered, I’m going after my sheep. I’ll rescue them from all the places they’ve been scattered to in the storms. I’ll bring them back from foreign peoples, gather them from foreign countries, and bring them back to their home country. I’ll feed them on the mountains of Israel, along the streams, among their own people. I’ll lead them into lush pasture so they can roam the mountain pastures of Israel, graze at leisure, feed in the rich pastures on the mountains of Israel. And I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep. I myself will make sure they get plenty of rest. I’ll go after the lost, I’ll collect the strays, I’ll doctor the injured, I’ll build up the weak ones and oversee the strong ones so they’re not exploited.

For Reflection

To Ezekiel God says, "I myself am the shepherd."  God's claim as a shepherd is not just a simple metaphor.  God was speaking about God's chosen people. But, remember, Christ has extended God's promise to shepherd to all.  With God as our shepherd, we have no want that cannot be satisfied by God. Hunger and fear are satisfied when we trust confidently in our creator.

Pray

Pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God who, as our shepherd, loves us. Pray that you will be confident that God will fulfill your needs. Pray that you will trust unreasonably in God.