Ezekiel 34
The Promise of a Good Shepherd!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, July 11.
God’s people need hope whenever they are walking through the valley of the shadow. In Ezekiel 34:15a, the Lord promised to be a good shepherd to the sheep of His pasture, “I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest.” He would fulfill this promise through the Messiah, referenced in verses 23, “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd.” Even though this prophecy was written at least four hundred years after the death of King David, and Jesus would not be born for over five hundred years, Ezekiel was declaring that the promised rest of God would come through the Messiah of Israel, who is the Son of David. He described how the Good Shepherd would lead them to rest in Ezekiel 34:27-28:
The tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They will no longer be a prey to the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid.
Jesus fulfilled these promises, offering each of them to you today: 1) the promise of fruitfulness by abiding in the Vine of Jesus (John 15:1-16); 2) the promise of rest by taking on Jesus’ easy yoke (Matthew 11:28-30); and 3) the promise of peace by receiving the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27). Like the rod and staff of a shepherd, these promises will comfort you as you walk through the valley of the shadow (Psalm 23).
Seize the moment and trust Jesus to be the Good Shepherd of your soul (John 10:10-18).
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.