Episode 673

TODAY’S READING

12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

Ezekiel 34:12

What I love most about the Bible is when they paint pictures for us to visually see what God is trying to demonstrate. And then this particular verse in verse 12. He shows us the image of a shepherd looking after his flock when he is with them. And I like that he says when he is with them because it signifies that when the Shepherd is present, then he goes and looks after his scattered flock. Which can say that if the present if Shepherd was not present, then he will not look after them. But what that proves is that God is always present in our lives and because we know that, then we can say that he is always looking after us. And that is so comforting to see in this painted picture that he is showing us. 

The second part of the verse says I will rescue them from all the places they were scattered on a day of the dark of clouds and darkness. Now the next thing there is that guy understands that there will come days that have clouds and darkness and bloom. And the reason why I bring this up during this time of year is because it is sometimes bittersweet to look back at the year that passed. Some of you had a hard year some of you did not have the best year. Some of you had the best year. I’ve been in both situations looking back at my life and saying this was not a good year, and you’re hopeful for the future, but you might be brokenhearted. And sometimes I’ve had years where I look back, and I said, well, God really showed off this year. It was the absolute best here. And then you might feel a little bit hesitant. Can he top it? Well, I am here to remind you that no matter what you are in right now, no matter what season you’re in right now, if you have clouds and darkness, or if it’s been an amazing year, God is always with you, and he will rescue you from the places when you’re scattered. And so, if this was a tough year for you, have hope that the future is filled with greater days; we know that the best is yet to come. And if this was a fantastic year for you, know that no matter what the future holds for me for you, no matter if you are to face a fantastic year times two or if you are going to be facing some trials or there might be days of clouds and darkness. God is always with us. This first prepares us for anything. We know that like a shepherd. He will keep us or look after us like his sheep. And no matter what happens, God is always good, so that we can be thankful for that today.

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You today and every day, but we thank you for being such an amazing father. We thank you for looking after us on days of clouds and darkness. We thank You that You look after us every day because we know that you are with us every day. There’s nowhere we can run, nor can we hide where you won’t be, And there is no year that you don’t know what will happen. And we know that our lives are the palms of your hands, so we surrender it all to you. You’re excited and eager for the year ahead of us. We thank you, and we ask that you bless this beautiful one state in your holy name; we pray. Amen.