Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
This morning's meditation is on this verse in Isaiah that is making an analogy with they way God cares for His people. This is a precious and tender verse in the word, and I will do well to think on it today.
Notice that there are four things that a shepherd does with his sheep:
- tends his flock
- gathers in his arms
- carries in his bosom
- leads the pregnant
Note that the analogy is opened up with the words, His flock, and like a shepherd. God states here that He is comparing me and His people to a flock of sheep, and comparing Himself to the shepherd.
First, Jesus tends His flock. I am in His flock, I am one of His sheep. All the rest of God's people are also His flock, and His sheep. God tends, or takes care of, provides for, His sheep. This is so true, and has been true for me my whole life. God has watched over me, provided me, directed me, and done so even, when I, like a sheep have tried to wander from the fold. Notice, that God calls Himself the shepherd here. Interestingly enough, in the book of John, Jesus Christ claims that He is the Shepherd of the sheep. So, here, it is clear that Jesus Christ claimed deity. And, for me, it is clear that He is deity. Jesus Christ is the great shepherd. Thus, all of these analogies should put my mind on Christ as the one who does them.
Second, Jesus gathers them in His arms. This is a touching, and wonderful thought. Jesus Christ, the lover of my soul, when I would do nothing but wander from Him, and try to leave the fold, He not only would seek me out, and find me, but because I continuously try to wander, He picks me up in His arms and comforts me. So Jesus loves me, sacrifices Himself for me, and watches over me, holding me in His arms, ensuring that nothing bad will happen to me. What a Savior!
Third, Jesus carries me in His bosom. This is even more tender of a thought that the last one. Jesus Christ, in the last analogy, picks me up and collects me in His arms, and takes me where I should be. Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd who not only gathers me, but also carries me in His bosom which is close to His heart. Thus, Jesus Christ loves me so much, that He has me close to His heart, which is clearly told to me that my name is written on His hands and His heart. Thus, I know that Jesus loves me.
Finally, Jesus leads the ones that are pregnant. This I think tells me that any of the little ones, the troubled ones, the ones that are struggling, will be taken care of and Jesus will lead them to the place that they need to go without trouble. This I think is consonant with the thought that the bruised reed and the smoking flax He will not crush. Jesus understands the troubles and trials of life, and loves and protects the ones who are especially struggling.
What a marvelous verse, with profound thoughts. Lord God, please help me to remember that you are my Shepherd, and particularly, Jesus Christ, who is a wonderfully loving shepherd. Help me today to live in the reality that Jesus Christ cares for me and loves me with an everlasting love. May I understand that Jesus tends me, gathers me, carries me, and leads me. Amen.
1 comment:
amen and amen
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