Anglican Devotional 15 October 2022 – God’s Concern For His Flock

TOPIC: God’s Concern For His Flock

READ: Ezekiel 34:1-16(NKJV)

1. And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2. “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3. “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, [but] you do not feed the flock.
4. “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
5. “So they were scattered because [there was] no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
6. “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching [for them.”]
7. ‘ Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
8. “[as] I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because [there was] no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock” —
9. ‘therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!
10. ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I [am] against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”
11. ‘ For thus says the Lord GOD: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
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.
13. “And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14. “I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15. “I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord GOD.
16. “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.

The MESSAGE:

Today, we read about God’s mind towards his people as well as their leaders. Shepherds were chosen by God over his flocks to lead and feed them with good pasture. Instead, the shepherds ignored their responsibilities. They fed themselves and eventually forgot the flock. They failed to care for the weak, sick, and injured sheep, but ruled with force and cruelty. The shepherds allowed the wild animals to enter the flock, scatter them and make them easy prey. God’s anger was made known to them. However, He promised to search and bring back home His sheep, and care for them. Shepherd (someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody) should not misuse God’s grace as a leader in any area of lives.

It is important to be sacrificial leaders for our people. All leaders are involved: Priests, kings, government officials, political leaders, etc. We must be alive to and active in all our responsibilities, without wickedness or selfishness. God is highly concerned about His flock and wants to bring back alive those who are spiritually wounded because every soul matters to Him.

PRAYER: God is interested in godly leaders who will be faithful in their responsibilities.