God Will Rescue Endangered Sheep

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

God's Preserving Love

Ezekiel 34:1-10 The Message 

When the Sheep Get Scattered

34 1-6 God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, ‘God, the Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren’t shepherds supposed to feed sheep? You drink the milk, you make clothes from the wool, you roast the lambs, but you don’t feed the sheep. You don’t build up the weak ones, don’t heal the sick, don’t doctor the injured, don’t go after the strays, don’t look for the lost. You bully and badger them. And now they’re scattered every which way because there was no shepherd—scattered and easy pickings for wolves and coyotes. Scattered—my sheep!—exposed and vulnerable across mountains and hills. My sheep scattered all over the world, and no one out looking for them!
7-9 “‘Therefore, shepherds, listen to the Message of God: As sure as I am the living God—Decree of God, the Master—because my sheep have been turned into mere prey, into easy meals for wolves because you shepherds ignored them and only fed yourselves, listen to what God has to say:
10 “‘Watch out! I’m coming down on the shepherds and taking my sheep back. They’re fired as shepherds of my sheep. No more shepherds who just feed themselves! I’ll rescue my sheep from their greed. They’re not going to feed off my sheep any longer!

For Reflection

Have our churches become so self-centered that they cannot share the blessings of their faith?  Have they become so mired in the common culture that they become advocates for secular lives rather than God-centered lives? Are they motivated by fear rather than hope?  Are God's sheep scattered?

If so, as the shepherds turn their backs on the truth embedded in the life of Christ, God will not let the wolves devour God's sheep. Authentic Christians take heart.  Shepherd yourselves in the light of the Grace and Love of God.

Pray

Pray that you will bear allegiance to the living God as a shepherd, a humble servant of God.