Saturday, April 16, 2005
Ezekiel 34:12 "As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day."
THE LORD DELIVERS HIS SHEEP
During the Easter season you will no doubt be reminded in your church services of the picture of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. This may be one of the most common illustrations we have of our relationship with God in Scripture. In Scripture the LORD assures us, as His sheep that He will seek us out and deliver us from all our sin. Through the prophet Ezekiel the LORD announced, "so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day."
Even believers, sheep of the LORD, fall into sin. The only difference between believers and unbelievers is that the faith which the LORD has created in a believer's heart produces repentance. The sheep realize their sin, turn away from that sin, and to come to the LORD for forgiveness. The LORD has delivered His flock through the victory that Jesus, our Good Shepherd won for us by giving His life for the sheep on the cross, and then taking it again three days later by His resurrection from the dead. No matter who we are, where we live, or what we have done, we have been delivered! Through faith in Jesus as our Good Shepherd you have been delivered!
Dark and cloudy days -- We all have them, regardless of who we are, or what we do. Even believers struggle with the day to day trials and temptations. Jesus told His disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation" but immediately continued, "but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). We will go through difficult times in this life, many dark and cloudy days, but our Savior has assured us of the final victory through His own death and resurrection. Thanks be to the LORD for delivering us His sheep!
