Thursday November 20th, 2014 Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the LORD GOD. (verse 15)
I look back on my 74 years and see many shattered dreams.
Ezekiel was speaking God’s word to God’s people during a time of shattered dreams, at one of the darkest times in their history. Jerusalem had fallen to Babylon. The Temple was destroyed. Their leaders had failed to be shepherds of God’s people, relying on themselves, ignoring and abandoning God.
Along with words of warning, Ezekiel speaks words of promise and hope, using the image of King David as a model for the shepherd God will give them. But David is dead, so God, the Sovereign Lord will take on that role.
In Jesus, God takes on the role of Shepherd, dying on a cross and rising from the dead. The Shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep, for you and for me.
He is not a shepherd who comes to fulfill all our dreams, but to fulfill God’s promise of peace and righteousness for all God’s straying people. As sheep, we don’t know what is best for us. But God knows and God provides. Our shattered dreams? Looking back, I can now see that mine were turned into blessings by the one and true Shepherd.
Great and eternal Shepherd, grant us the humility to discard what we want and the faith to trust you. Amen. — BJ
Contributed by Shattered Dreams
I look back on my 74 years and see many shattered dreams.
Ezekiel was speaking God's word to God's people during a time of shattered dreams, at one of the darkest times in their history. Jerusalem had fallen to Babylon. The Temple was destroyed. Their leaders had failed to be shepherds of God's people, relying on themselves, ignoring and abandoning God.
Along with words of warning, Ezekiel speaks words of promise and hope, using the image of King David as a model for the shepherd God will give them. But David is dead, so God, the Sovereign Lord will take on that role.
In Jesus, God takes on the role of Shepherd, dying on a cross and rising from the dead. The Shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep, for you and for me.
He is not a shepherd who comes to fulfill all our dreams, but to fulfill God's promise of peace and righteousness for all God's straying people. As sheep, we don't know what is best for us. But God knows and God provides. Our shattered dreams? Looking back, I can now see that mine were turned into blessings by the one and true Shepherd.
