365 Reflections

Jesus told the disciples He would give them a peace the world would not understand or take away.  John 14:27 (ESV) 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. Philippians 4:7 (ESV) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. In Ezekiel 34, after the Lord announces judgment on the false shepherds and says that He would come down and be their true shepherd, we get a picture of the peace he brings through types and shadows in the language of this beautiful text.  Ezekiel 34:25 (ESV) “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. First, His peace is rooted in His covenant. We have all we need through His blood to know God's peace.  Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) In Him we have redemption through his blood,...

Numbers 27:15–17 (ESV)  Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, 16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” When Moses is reminded that he will not enter the land according to the Lord's word concerning his disobedience to God at the waters of Meribah, his first inclination is not to beg for God to reconsider but for God to find the right man to shepherd the people. At the end of his ministry to God's people and in God's purpose, Moses was a shepherd at heart. He became a shepherd when he chose to identify with his people rather than enjoy the momentary pleasures of Egypt. He lived in Midian for 40 years as a shepherd understanding the tremendous amount of work required to lead flocks properly. Moses may have been raised in the luxury of a palace, but...

Psalm 23:1 (ESV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. That says it all. Because the Lord is leading me and guiding me, I do not want for a thing, says David. This sentiment seems to ring true with many Americans. The number 5 searched scripture in 2013 for America was Psalm 23 according to Christianity Today . We are a nation in need of direction. The growing tend of sexual promiscuity, the legalization of marijuana, the growth of unbelief in recent religious polls, the downward trend of American Christianity and church closings. From rude and obnoxious award shows to a sagging economy, this country is in desperate need of direction. Could that be the reason it searched for a Shepherd? Yes, but so much more. We are built to be guided. Though we try to find our own way on so many occasions, it is installed in our Spiritual DNA to be led by the Lord. And when He's not our leader, we'll choose something or someone far less qualified. David knew better. David wa...