What actions can we take to align with God's shepherding in our lives? God’s Promise to Shepherd Us – Ezekiel 34:15 “I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.” What the Shepherd Is Already Doing • He tends: personally watches, guards, and nurtures every sheep. • He makes us lie down: provides rest, safety, and satisfaction; we are not driven but led (Psalm 23:1-2). • He declares: His Word is final and unfailing (Numbers 23:19). Ways We Can Align With His Shepherding • Listen daily to His voice in Scripture – John 10:27: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” – Set aside unrushed, unfiltered time in the Word; read until something grips, then meditate. • Follow promptly when He leads – Psalm 119:60: “I hurried and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” – Obedience at the first nudge keeps our footing sure and our conscience tender. • Rest where He signals it’s safe – Mark 6:31: Jesus told the disciples, “Come with Me by yourselves to a solitary place and rest.” – Schedule margin; trust that productivity flows from abiding, not striving. • Receive His care through faithful undershepherds – Hebrews 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls.” – Stay accountable in a Bible-preaching church; seek counsel instead of drifting solo. • Accept correction without bolting – Hebrews 12:11 reminds that discipline “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” – When conviction strikes, thank Him, repent quickly, and realign instead of hiding. • Stay close to the flock – Acts 2:42: they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship.” – Isolation invites predators; fellowship sharpens and protects (Proverbs 27:17). • Feed on what He provides, not on substitutes – 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk.” – Filter books, podcasts, and habits through Scripture; let the Shepherd set the menu. Guardrails for Daily Living 1. Morning check-in: open the day reading a psalm or Gospel passage, asking “What is the Shepherd saying today?” 2. Mid-day pause: a brief prayer or verse recall keeps the heart aligned when distractions hit. 3. Evening review: jot down where you sensed His leading, rest in forgiveness where you wandered, thank Him for tending. Encouragement From Fellow Wanderers • David knew both valleys and green pastures yet could still say, “I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). • Peter failed spectacularly, but the risen Shepherd restored and recommissioned him (John 21:15-17). • Paul testified, “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17), assurance that no circumstance lies outside His pasture. As we listen, follow, rest, submit, and remain in close fellowship, we step into the very care Ezekiel 34:15 promises. The Shepherd is already active—our part is simply to stay within earshot and gladly obey. |
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