Prayer Journal
Saturday, October 26, 2002
"As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they are scattered." Ezekiel 34:12
Most people are familiar with Psalm 23 where David sees himself as a sheep under the divine care of the Lord, the Great Shepherd. But most may not be aware of the writing of Jeremiah and Ezekiel as it relates to the Shepherd of Israel.
Few people view a shepherd as one who neglects his flock. Instead, most see him as a kind and gentle person, who cares and sacrifices for the sheep. The prophets had the unpleasant task of pointing out the failure of those charged with caring for God's people. Another word for shepherd is pastor.
Today, pastors care for those who make up the church of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Great Shepherd and provides pastors with the necessary equipment to care for His people until He returns to get them.
While the message of Ezekiel and Jeremiah was written to Israel's pastors, most of what we learn in their writing can be applied to pastors of the New Testament church as well.
The message of the prophets includes both encouragement and warnings to pastors. But perhaps the most encouraging of all the things we read is the assurance from God that even though pastors might fail, God will never forsake his people:
"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.' " (Vs. 11)
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Scripture comes
from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International
Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2002
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
